×

Endpoint detection method and apparatus which utilize a chelating agent to detect a polishing endpoint

  • US 6,383,332 B1
  • Filed: 05/31/2000
  • Issued: 05/07/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An apparatus for polishing a semiconductor wafer down to a ligand of said wafer, said wafer having a first side and a second side, comprising:

  • a polishing platen having a polishing surface;

    a wafer carrier configured to (i) engage said wafer by said second side of said wafer and (ii) press said first side of said wafer against said polishing surface of said polishing platen;

    a slurry supply system configured to apply a chemical slurry to said first side of said wafer which (i) facilities removal of said ligand from said wafer, and (ii) receives said ligand removed from said wafer, wherein said polishing platen and said wafer carrier are configured to rub said first side of said wafer against said polishing surface in the presence of said chemical slurry in order to remove said ligand from said wafer; and

    a polishing endpoint detector that is operable to (i) detect whether a chelating agent has bound said ligand due to said polishing platen removing said ligand from said wafer, and (ii) cause said polishing of said wafer to terminate in response to detecting said chelating agent has bound said ligand.

View all claims
  • 12 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×