Patent ID: 7993936
Filing Date: 2011-08-09
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: removing material from metal structures formed on a first substrate by an electrochemical etch process performed in an electrochemical etch tool, wherein said electrochemical etch tool comprises a power source; applying an electrical signal to the substrate during at least a portion of the electrochemical etch process using the power source; obtaining a status signal during the processing of said first substrate, said status signal representing a dynamic behavior of at least one tool parameter during the electrochemical etch process, wherein said at least one tool parameter comprises at least a parameter of said electrical signal; estimating a current tool status on the basis of said status signal by extracting a plurality of key values from said status signal and comparing said key values with reference key values, wherein said reference key values are obtained on a basis of previously performed electrochemical etch processes for substrates other than said first substrate; and releasing said electrochemical etch tool for processing an additional substrate on the basis of said estimated tool status.