Patent ID: 6194231
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: B24B,G03F,H01L

Abstract:
A method for monitoring a polishing pad used for polishing a semiconductor wafer in a CMP cycle, comprising steps of:a) installing a linear multi-dimensional scanning device above said polishing pad in a substantially radial direction without overlapping said semiconductor wafer, said linear multi-dimensional scanning device including a first section for scanning a first portion of said polishing pad which is in intermittent contact with and polishes said semiconductor wafer during said CMP cycle, and a second section for scanning a second portion of said polishing pad which is never in contact with said semiconductor wafer during said CMP cycle;b) reading and comparing scanning data in both of said first and said second portions to realize a profile information of said polishing pad; andc) determining a condition of said polishing pad according to said profile information of said polishing pad.