Patent ID: 7204639
Filing Date: 2007-04-17
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
1. A chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) system, comprising: a wafer carrier configured to support a wafer during a planarization process; an impulse heater configured to deliver a single defined heat energy pulse to a metal layer disposed on the wafer; a sensor embedded in the wafer carrier, the sensor configured to detect heat energy emanating from a location on the metal layer due to the heat energy pulse, the sensor located to minimize reception of a reflected heat energy pulse from the defined heat energy pulse, the sensor is positioned to detect the heat energy emanating from a location on the metal layer that is different from where the impulse heater delivers the defined heat energy pulse to the metal layer; and a computing device in communication with the sensor, the computing device configured to calculate a thickness of the metal layer based upon the detected heat energy in relation to the defined heat energy pulse.