Apparatus and method for real-time measurement of thin film layer thickness and changes thereof

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 5450205
SERIAL NO

08070118

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

A new technique has been developed to measure etching or deposition rate uniformity in situ using a CCD camera which views the wafer during plasma processing. The technique records the temporal modulation of plasma emission or laser illumination reflected from the wafer; this modulation is caused by interferometry as thin films are etched or deposited. The measured etching rates compare very well with those determined by Helium-Neon laser interference. This technique is capable of measuring etching rates across 100-mm or larger wafers. It can resolve etch rate variations across a wafer or within a die. The invention can also be used to make endpoint determinations in etching operations as well as measuring the absolute thickness of thin films.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE CAMBRIDGE MA 02139

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Conner, William T Somerville, MA 5 363
Dalton, Timothy J N. Reading, MA 142 2983
Sachs, Emanuel M Somerville, MA 67 3490
Sawin, Herbert H Arlington, MA 20 2279

Cited Art Landscape

Load Citation

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Load Citation