Patent ID: 8295967
Filing Date: 2012-10-23
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: simultaneously polishing a plurality of substrates in a polishing apparatus, wherein each substrate of the plurality of substrates has a polishing rate independently controllable by an independently variable polishing parameter; acquiring measurement data from each substrate of the plurality of substrates during polishing with an in-situ monitoring system, wherein the measurement data varies with a thickness of each substrate of the plurality of substrates; and at least one of a) determining a projected thickness that each substrate of the plurality of substrates will have at a target time based on the measurement data and adjusting the polishing parameter for at least one substrate to adjust the polishing rate of the at least one substrate such that the plurality of substrates have closer to the same thickness at the target time than without such adjustment, or b) determining a projected time for each substrate of the plurality of substrates at which the substrate will reach a target thickness based on the measurement data, and adjusting the polishing parameter for at least one substrate to adjust the polishing rate of the at least one substrate such that the plurality of substrates reach the target thickness closer to the same time than without such adjustment.