Patent ID: 6090302
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: G01J

Abstract:
A method for monitoring a plasma process comprising a first plasma step, said method comprising the steps of:generating a plasma in said processing chamber;performing said first plasma step using said generating step, wherein there is a first endpoint of said first plasma step which is when said first plasma step has produced a first predetermined result;monitoring said performing step to identify an occurrence of said first endpoint, wherein said monitoring step comprises using a first technique comprising the steps of:obtaining optical emissions of said plasma in said processing chamber within a first wavelength range extending from 250 nanometers to about 1,000 nanometers, from at least a plurality of different times during said performing step, and at least at every 1 nanometer throughout said first wavelength range;comparing said optical emissions at each of said plurality of different times with a first output; anddetermining when said optical emissions from at least one of said plurality of different times is within a predetermined amount of said first output and equating this with said first endpoint.