Patent ID: 6827629
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A system for performing a chemical mechanical polishing process, the system comprising:a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) apparatus; a measuring apparatus operable to measure the thickness of a layer on a substrate and generate data indicative of the measured thickness, whereby pre-polishing and post-polishing thicknesses of the layer can be measured; a database operatively connected to said measuring apparatus so as to store data of the pre-polishing and post-polishing thicknesses measured by said measuring apparatus; an endpoint detection system operatively connected to said CMP apparatus so as to control said CMP apparatus to operate in an endpoint detection mode wherein a substrate is monitored to detect when a layer underlying an upper targeted polishing layer on the substrate is exposed; a closed loop control manager operatively connected to said measuring apparatus so as to receive the thickness data from the measuring apparatus, said closed loop control manager having a processor that calculates a polishing time on the basis of the thickness data from the measuring apparatus, and said closed loop control manager operatively connected to said CMP apparatus so as to control said CMP apparatus to operate in a closed loop control mode wherein the polishing of a layer is carried out for said polishing time; and an operator interface operatively connected to said CMP apparatus, said interface directing the CMP apparatus to be selectively operated in said endpoint detection mode under the control of said endpoint detection system, and in said closed loop control mode under the control of said closed loop control manager.