Patent ID: 6780082
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: B24B,H01L

Abstract:
An apparatus for transmitting signals from a planarizing device, the planarizing device having a support, a platen assembly connected to the support, and a carrier movable relative to the platen assembly and the support to remove material from a semiconductor substrate positioned between the carrier and the platen assembly, the apparatus comprising:at least one temperature sensor connected to one of the platen assembly, the carrier, and the semiconductor substrate, the sensor generating a signal corresponding to a value of a selected property of one of the planarizing device and the semiconductor substrate; an electronic device spaced apart from the sensor; and a wireless communication link coupled between the sensor and the electronic device to transmit the signal from the sensor to the electronic device, the communication link being comprised of a plurality of optical transmitting transducers coupled to a transmitter attached to the carrier, the communications link being further comprised of a receiving transducer spaced apart from the transmitting transducer, the transmitting transducer moving relative to the receiving transducer while the semiconductor substrate is planarized.