Method of monitoring the manufacture of interferometric modulators
First Claim
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1. A method of monitoring the extent of etching of a first material positioned between and adjacent to two layers of other material during manufacturing of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS), comprising:
- manufacturing a process control monitor that comprises the two layers of other material and the first material disposed between and adjacent to the two layers;
manufacturing a plurality of structures at time of manufacturing the process control monitor, wherein the plurality of the structures comprise the two layers of the other material and the first material disposed between and adjacent to the two layers;
etching the first material in the process control monitor and in the plurality of structures; and
optically detecting the extent of etching of the first material in the process control monitor;
wherein the process control monitor is adapted so that the first material in the structures is substantially completely etched away before the first material in the process control monitor is substantially completely etched away.
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Abstract
Process control monitors are disclosed that are produced using at least some of the same process steps used to manufacture a MEMS device. Analysis of the process control monitors can provide information regarding properties of the MEMS device and components or sub-components in the device. This information can be used to identify errors in processing or to optimize the MEMS device. In some embodiments, analysis of the process control monitors may utilize optical measurements.
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26 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring the extent of etching of a first material positioned between and adjacent to two layers of other material during manufacturing of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS), comprising:
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manufacturing a process control monitor that comprises the two layers of other material and the first material disposed between and adjacent to the two layers; manufacturing a plurality of structures at time of manufacturing the process control monitor, wherein the plurality of the structures comprise the two layers of the other material and the first material disposed between and adjacent to the two layers; etching the first material in the process control monitor and in the plurality of structures; and optically detecting the extent of etching of the first material in the process control monitor; wherein the process control monitor is adapted so that the first material in the structures is substantially completely etched away before the first material in the process control monitor is substantially completely etched away. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification