Patent ID: 6545753
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: G01N,H01J,H01L

Abstract:
A system for real-time monitoring and controlling an etch process, comprising:a wafer that does not contain an etch stop layer; at least one etching component operative to etch at least one portion of the wafer; an etch component driving system operably connected to the at least one etching component, the etch component driving system adapted to drive the at least one etching component; a system for directing light toward one or more gratings and/or features located on at least one portion of the wafer during operation of the etching component; an etch monitoring system operable to measure one or more etching results from light reflected from the one or more gratings and/or features during operation of the etching component; and a processor operatively coupled to the etch monitoring system and the etch component driving system, wherein the processor receives an etching result data from the measuring system and analyzes the etching result data by comparing the etching result data to stored etching result data during operation of the etching component.