Patent ID: 6671051
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: B24B,B24D,G01B,G01N

Abstract:
A system for detecting anomalies associated with a sample, the system comprising:an objective arranged proximate to a sample while the sample is undergoing chemical mechanical polishing, the objective includes: an optical element arranged to direct an incident beam towards the sample; and a fluid flow mechanism for flowing fluid which is optically transparent to the incident beam, wherein the fluid is in contact with the optical element and the sample such that only a portion of the sample is substantially flowed over by the fluid, the portion being where the incident beam is directed towards further by the fluid; a beam source arranged to generate the incident beam and direct the incident beam through the objective and toward the sample while the sample is undergoing chemical mechanical polishing; and a sensor arranged to detect a scattered beam reflected from at least one anomaly associated with the sample while the sample is undergoing chemical mechanical polishing, the scattered beam being in response to the incident beam, wherein the scattered beam indicates a characteristic of the at least one anomaly.