Method and apparatus for integrating multiple sample plans
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- receiving a first wafer state data set from a first wafer measurement device, the first wafer state data set being indicative of at least one characteristic of at least one wafer processed by a processing tool to form a portion of an electronic component of a semiconductor device, the electronic component being formed above said at least one wafer by the processing tool;
receiving a second wafer state data set from a second wafer measurement device, the second wafer state data set being indicative of the at least one characteristic of the at least one wafer processed by the processing tool;
determining a sampling plan for at least one third measurement device in response to determining whether the first and second wafer state data sets adequately characterize said at least one characteristic of said at least one wafer;
receiving at least one third wafer state data set from the third wafer measurement device, the third wafer state data set being collected according to the sampling plan and being indicative of said at least one characteristic of said at least one wafer;
forming a fourth wafer state data set using the first, second, and third wafer state data sets; and
determining the at least one characteristic of the at least one wafer based upon the fourth wafer state data set.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for integrating multiple sample plans. The method includes receiving a first wafer state data set from an in situ wafer measurement device, the first wafer state data set being indicative of at least one characteristic of at least one wafer processed by a processing tool and receiving a second wafer state data set from an ex situ wafer measurement device, the second wafer state data set being indicative of the at least one characteristic of the at least one wafer processed by the processing tool. The method also includes forming a third wafer state data set using the first and second wafer state data sets and determining the at least one characteristic of the at least one wafer based upon the third wafer state data set.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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receiving a first wafer state data set from a first wafer measurement device, the first wafer state data set being indicative of at least one characteristic of at least one wafer processed by a processing tool to form a portion of an electronic component of a semiconductor device, the electronic component being formed above said at least one wafer by the processing tool; receiving a second wafer state data set from a second wafer measurement device, the second wafer state data set being indicative of the at least one characteristic of the at least one wafer processed by the processing tool; determining a sampling plan for at least one third measurement device in response to determining whether the first and second wafer state data sets adequately characterize said at least one characteristic of said at least one wafer; receiving at least one third wafer state data set from the third wafer measurement device, the third wafer state data set being collected according to the sampling plan and being indicative of said at least one characteristic of said at least one wafer; forming a fourth wafer state data set using the first, second, and third wafer state data sets; and determining the at least one characteristic of the at least one wafer based upon the fourth wafer state data set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus, comprising:
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means for receiving a first wafer state data set from a first wafer measurement device, the first wafer state data set being indicative of at least one characteristic of at least one wafer processed by a processing tool to form a portion of an electronic component of a semiconductor device, the electronic component being formed above said at least one wafer by the processing tool; means for receiving a second wafer state data set from a second wafer measurement device, the second wafer state data set being indicative of the at least one characteristic of the at least one wafer processed by the processing tool; means for determining a sampling plan for at least one third measurement device in response to determining whether the first and second wafer state data sets adequately characterize said at least one characteristic of said at least one wafer; means for receiving at least one third wafer state data set from the third wafer measurement device, the third wafer state data set being collected according to the sampling plan and being indicative of said at least one characteristic of said at least one wafer; means for forming a fourth wafer state data set using the first, second, and third wafer state data sets; and means for determining the at least one characteristic of the at least one wafer based upon the fourth wafer state data set.
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13. A manufacturing system, comprising:
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at least one processing tool for processing at least one wafer to form a portion of an electronic component of a semiconductor device, the electronic component being formed above said at least one wafer by the processing tool; a first wafer measurement device configured to provide a first wafer state data set indicative of at least one characteristic of the at least one wafer; a second wafer measurement device configured to provide a second wafer state data set indicative of the at least one characteristic of the at least one wafer; at least one third measurement device configured to provide a third wafer state data set indicative of said at least one characteristic of said at least one wafer using a sampling plan determined based on whether the first and second wafer state data sets adequately characterize said at least one characteristic of said at least one wafer; and a wafer characterization unit configured to; receive the first wafer state data set; receive the second wafer state data set; receive at least one third wafer state data set collected according to the sampling plan; form a fourth wafer state data set using the first, second, and third wafer state data sets; and determine the at least one characteristic of the at least one wafer based upon the fourth wafer state data set. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification