Patent ID: 8958061
Filing Date: 2015-02-17
Classification: C23C,G01N,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of characterizing a surface comprising: rotating a carrier about an axis of rotation, the carrier having a top surface adapted to hold at least one semiconductor wafer with a major surface of the wafer extending generally transverse to the axis of rotation; moving a surface characterization tool over a plurality of positions relative to the top surface of the carrier, whereby a measurement location over the top surface of the carrier is changed, while said top surface of the carrier is heated to a predetermined temperature; producing characterization signals over the plurality of positions with the surface characterization tool, the characterization signals containing information about the heated top surface of the carrier; determining values for position-dependent parameters characterizing the top surface of the carrier based on the characterization signals; comparing the position-dependent parameters characterizing the top surface of the carrier to a reference carrier top surface, wherein the reference carrier top surface is determined by performing the rotating, moving, producing, and determining steps on a randomly selected carrier; and reviewing the position-dependent parameters characterizing the top surface of the carrier based on the characterization signals against predetermined acceptable parameters.