Patent ID: 6925348
Filing Date: 2005-08-02
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
1. A method of obtaining correlation data representing properties of exposed surfaces of a semiconductor wafer, wherein processing operations performed on the wafer expose the exposed surfaces in succession, the exposed surfaces including an initial exposed surface of an initial layer of the wafer and an underlying exposed surface of an underlying layer of the wafer that is under the initial layer, wherein the exposed surfaces have different surface properties, the method comprising the operations of: identifying an area on the exposed surface of the initial layer of a first correlation wafer, the exposed surface area of the initial wafer having an initial surface property; conducting a first processing operation on the exposed surface of the initial layer of the first correlation wafer, the first processing operation causing the exposed surface of the initial layer of the first correlation wafer to emit a first energy output; determining a first energy characteristic of the first energy output emitted during the first processing operation, the first energy characteristic being unique to the initial surface property during the first processing operation; and repeating the conducting and determining operations with respect to a second correlation wafer having at least one of the underlying layers, the at least one of the underlying layers having a lower surface property within the area, the repeated conducting operation causing the exposed surface of the at least one underlying layer to emit at least one next energy output, the repeated determining operation determining at least one next energy characteristic that is unique to the lower surface property.