Patent Publication Number: US-6664557-B1

Title: In-situ detection of thin-metal interface using optical interference

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to endpoint detection in a chemical mechanical polishing process, and more particularly to endpoint detection using optical interference of a broad reflectance spectrum. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In the fabrication of semiconductor devices, typically, the integrated circuit devices are in the form of multi-level structures. At the substrate level, transistor devices having diffusion regions are formed. In subsequent levels, interconnect metallization lines are patterned and electrically connected to the transistor devices to define the desired functional device. As is well known, patterned conductive layers are insulated from other conductive layers by dielectric materials, such as silicon dioxide. As more metallization levels and associated dielectric layers are formed, the need to planarize the dielectric material increases. Without planarization, fabrication of additional metallization layers becomes substantially more difficult due to the higher variations in the surface topography. In other applications, metallization line patterns are formed in the dielectric material, and then metal chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) operations are performed to remove excess metallization. 
     In the prior art, CMP systems typically implement belt, orbital, or brush stations in which belts, pads, or brushes are used to scrub, buff, and polish one or both sides of a wafer. Slurry is used to facilitate and enhance the CMP operation. Slurry is most usually introduced onto a moving preparation surface, e.g., belt, pad, brush, and the like, and distributed over the preparation surface as well as the surface of the semiconductor wafer being buffed, polished, or otherwise prepared by the CMP process. The distribution is generally accomplished by a combination of the movement of the preparation surface, the movement of the semiconductor wafer and the friction created between the semiconductor wafer and the preparation surface. 
     FIG. 1A shows a cross sectional view of a dielectric layer  102  undergoing a fabrication process that is common in constructing damascene and dual damascene interconnect metallization lines. The dielectric layer  102  has a diffusion barrier layer  104  deposited over the etch-patterned surface of the dielectric layer  102 . The diffusion barrier layer, as is well known, is typically titanium nitride (TiN), tantalum (Ta), tantalum nitride (TaN) or a combination of tantalum nitride (TaN) and tantalum (Ta). Once the diffusion barrier layer  104  has been deposited to the desired thickness, a copper layer  106  is formed over the diffusion barrier layer in a way that fills the etched features in the dielectric layer  102 . Some excessive diffusion barrier and metallization material is also inevitably deposited over the field areas. In order to remove these overburden materials and to define the desired interconnect metallization lines and associated vias (not shown), a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) operation is performed. 
     As mentioned above, the CMP operation is designed to remove the top metallization material from over the dielectric layer  102 . For instance, as shown in FIG. 1B, the overburden portion of the copper layer  106  and the diffusion barrier layer  104  have been removed. As is common in CMP operations, the CMP operation must continue until all of the overburden metallization and diffusion barrier material  104  is removed from over the dielectric layer  102 . However, in order to ensure that all the diffusion barrier layer  104  is removed from over the dielectric layer  102 , there needs to be a way of monitoring the process state and the state of the wafer surface during its CMP processing. This is commonly referred to as endpoint detection. Endpoint detection for copper is performed because copper cannot be successfully polished using a timed method. A timed polish does not work with copper because the removal rate from a CMP process is not stable enough for a timed polish of a copper layer. The removal rate for copper from a CMP process varies greatly. Hence, monitoring is needed to determine when the endpoint has been reached. In multi-step CMP operations there is a need to ascertain multiple endpoints: (1) to ensure that Cu is removed from over the diffusion barrier layer; (2) to ensure that the diffusion barrier layer is removed from over the dielectric layer. Thus, endpoint detection techniques are used to ensure that all of the desired overburden material is removed. 
     Many approaches have been proposed for the endpoint detection in CMP of metal. The prior art methods generally can be classified as direct and indirect detection of the physical state of polish. Direct methods use an explicit external signal source or chemical agent to probe the wafer state during the polish. The indirect methods on the other hand monitor the signal internally generated within the tool due to physical or chemical changes that occur naturally during the polishing process. 
     Indirect endpoint detection methods include monitoring: the temperature of the polishing pad/wafer surface, vibration of polishing tool, frictional forces between the pad and the polishing head, electrochemical potential of the slurry, and acoustic emission. Temperature methods exploit the exothermic process reaction as the polishing slurry reacts selectively with the metal film being polished. U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,050 is an example of this approach. U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,050 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,438 disclose friction-based methods in which motor current changes are monitored as different metal layers are polished. 
     Another endpoint detection method disclosed in European application EP 0 739 687 A2 demodulates the acoustic emission resulting from the grinding process to yield information on the polishing process. Acoustic emission monitoring is generally used to detect the metal endpoint. The method monitors the grinding action that takes place during polishing. A microphone is positioned at a predetermined distance from the wafer to sense acoustical waves generated when the depth of material removal reaches a certain determinable distance from the interface to thereby generate output detection signals. All these methods provide a global measure of the polish state and have a strong dependence on process parameter settings and the selection of consumables. However, none of the methods except for the friction sensing have achieved some commercial success in the industry. 
     Direct endpoint detection methods monitor the wafer surface using acoustic wave velocity, optical reflectance and interference, impedance/conductance, electrochemical potential change due to the introduction of specific chemical agents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,234 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,274 disclose methods of endpoint detection for metal using acoustic waves. These patents describe an approach to monitor the acoustic wave velocity propagated through the wafer/slurry to detect the metal endpoint. When there is a transition from one metal layer into another, the acoustic wave velocity changes and this has been used for the detection of endpoint. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,865 discloses a method of endpoint detection using a sensor to monitor fluid pressure from a fluid bearing located under the polishing pad. The sensor is used to detect a change in the fluid pressure during polishing, which corresponds to a change in the shear force when polishing transitions from one material layer to the next. Unfortunately, this method is not robust to process changes. Further, the endpoint detected is global, and thus the method cannot detect a local endpoint at a specific point on the wafer surface. Moreover, the method of the U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,865 patent is restricted to a linear polisher, which requires an air bearing. 
     There have been many proposals to detect the endpoint using the optical reflectance from the wafer surface. They can be grouped into two categories: monitoring the reflected optical signal at a single wavelength using a laser source or using a broad band light source covering the full visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum. U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,651 discloses an endpoint detection method using a single wavelength in which an optical signal from a laser source is impinged on the wafer surface and the reflected signal is monitored for endpoint detection. The change in the reflectivity as the polish transfers from one metal to another is used to detect the transition. 
     Broad band methods rely on using information in multiple wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,662 discloses using a spectrometer to acquire an intensity spectrum of reflected light in the visible range of the optical spectrum. Two bands of wavelengths are selected in the spectra that provide good sensitivity to reflectivity change as polish transfers from one metal to another. A detection signal is then defined by computing the ratio of the average intensity in the two bands selected. Significant shifts in the detection signal indicate the transition from one metal to another. 
     A common problem with current endpoint detection techniques is that some degree of over-etching is required to ensure that all of the conductive material (e.g., metallization material or diffusion barrier layer  104 ) is removed from over the dielectric layer  102  to prevent inadvertent electrical interconnection between metallization lines. A side effect of improper endpoint detection or over-polishing is that dishing  108  occurs over the metallization layer that is desired to remain within the dielectric layer  102 . The dishing effect essentially removes more metallization material than desired and leaves a dish-like feature over the metallization lines. Dishing is known to impact the performance of the interconnect metallization lines in a negative way, and too much dishing can cause a desired integrated circuit to fail for its intended purpose. 
     In view of the foregoing, there is a need for endpoint detection systems and methods that improve accuracy in endpoint detection. In addition, the systems and methods should be able to accurately determine film and layer thickness. 
     Broadly speaking, the present invention fills these needs by providing an optical endpoint detection system that utilizes optical interference to determine when an endpoint has been reached, such as when metal layer has reached a thin metal zone during a CMP process. In one embodiment, a method for detecting an endpoint during a chemical mechanical polishing process is disclosed. A portion of the surface of a wafer is illuminated with broad band light source. Then, reflected spectrum data corresponding to a plurality of spectrums of light reflected from the illuminated portion of the wafer surface is received. An endpoint is then determined based on optical interference occurring in the reflected spectrum data. The optical interference is a result of phase differences in light reflected from different layers of the wafer, and occurs when the top metal layer is reduced to the thin metal zone. Optical interference is indicated by the oscillations in the reflected spectrum data, and the endpoint occurs when the oscillations appear in the reflected spectrum. To detect the occurrences of the oscillations, Fourier Transform is applied on the reflected spectrum, and the peak magnitudes of the Fourier Transform within a specified thickness window are summed. The endpoint occurs when the sum of peak magnitudes exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     In another embodiment, an endpoint detection apparatus is disclosed that detects an endpoint during a chemical mechanical polishing process. The endpoint detection apparatus includes a broad band light source for illuminating a portion of a surface of a wafer, and an optical detector for receiving reflected spectrum data corresponding to a plurality of spectrums of light reflected from the illuminated portion of the wafer surface. The endpoint detection apparatus further includes logic that determines an endpoint based on optical interference occurring in the reflected spectrum data. As, discussed above the optical interference is a result of phase differences in light reflected from different layers of the wafer, and occurs when the top metal layer is reduced to the thin metal zone. 
     A system for detecting an endpoint during a chemical mechanical polishing process is disclosed in a further embodiment of the present invention. The system includes a polishing pad having a pad slot, and a platen having a platen slot. The platen slot is designed to align with the pad slot during particular points of the chemical mechanical polishing process. The system also includes a broad band light source for illuminating a portion of a surface of a wafer through the platen slot and the pad slot. An optical detector receives reflected spectrum data corresponding to a plurality of spectrums of light reflected from the illuminated portion of the surface of the wafer. Further, logic is provided that determines an endpoint based on optical interference occurring in the reflected spectrum data. 
    
    
     As will be seen, the embodiments of the present invention use optical interference instead of mere changes in the surface reflectivity as in conventional endpoint detection. Thus, the embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide increased sensitivity and robustness in endpoint detection. In addition to endpoint detection, the embodiments of the present invention advantageously can be used to determine the thickness of the dielectric layers in the wafer after the metal overburden is removed. Conventionally, an off line metrology tool was needed to measure the thickness of the layers of the wafer. The embodiments of the present invention can measure the thickness of the layers of the wafer without needing to remove the wafer and measure from a separate machine. Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention, together with further advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1A shows a cross sectional view of a dielectric layer undergoing a fabrication process that is common in constructing damascene and dual damascene interconnect metallization lines; 
     FIG. 1B is an illustration showing the overburden portion of the copper layer and the diffusion barrier layer having been removed by a CMP process; 
     FIG. 2A shows a CMP system in which a pad is designed to rotate around rollers, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2B is an illustration showing an endpoint detection system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a portion of a wafer illuminated by a multi-spectral light during a CMP process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for detecting an endpoint during a chemical mechanical polishing process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is spectrum graph showing a broad band reflected spectrum from a wafer at various points in the CMP process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is graph showing a Fourier Transform of the reflectance data where the underlying dielectric layer has a thickness in the range of 6000-10000 Å, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a Fourier Window showing Fourier Transforms of reflectance data curves in a specific thickness bounds for various instances of time, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 8 is a graph showing the magnitudes of the peaks found during operation as a function of time, which is shown as the shot number. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An invention is disclosed for optical endpoint detection. The present invention provides an optical endpoint detection system that utilizes optical interference to determine when a metal layer has reached a thin metal zone during a CMP process. In particular, an endpoint is determined based on optical interference occurring in the reflected spectrum data, which is a result of phase differences in light reflected from different layers of the wafer, and occurs when the top metal layer is reduced to the thin metal zone. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
     FIG. 2A shows a CMP system in which a pad  250  is designed to rotate around rollers  251 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A platen  254  is positioned under the pad  250  to provide a surface onto which a wafer will be applied using a carrier  252 . Endpoint detection is performed using an optical detector  260  in which light is applied through the platen  254 , through the pad  250  and onto the surface of the wafer  200  being polished, as shown FIG.  2 B. In order to accomplish optical endpoint detection, a pad slot  250   a  is formed into the pad  250 . In some embodiments, the pad  250  may include a number of pad slots  250   a  strategically placed in different locations of the pad  250 . Typically, the pad slots  250   a  are designed small: enough to minimize the impact on the polishing operation. In addition to the pad slot  250   a , a platen slot  254   a  is defined in the platen  254 . The platen slot  254   a  is designed to allow the broad band optical beam to be passed through the platen  254 , through the pad  250 , and onto the desired surface of the wafer  200  during polishing. 
     By using the optical detector  260 , it is possible to ascertain a level of removal of certain films from the wafer surface. This detection technique is designed to measure the thickness of the film by inspecting the interference patterns received by the optical detector  260 . Additionally, the platen  254  is designed to strategically apply certain degrees of back pressure to the pad  250  to enable precision removal of the layers from the wafer  200 . 
     FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a portion of a wafer  300  illuminated by a broad band light source during a CMP process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The wafer  300  includes a silicon substrate  302 , an oxide layer  304  disposed over the substrate  302 , and a copper layer  306  formed over the oxide layer  304 . The copper layer  306  represents overburdened copper formed during a Damascene CMP process. Generally, the copper layer  306  is deposited over the oxide layer  304 , which is etched in an earlier step to form trenches for copper interconnects. The overburden copper is then removed by polishing to expose the oxide layer  304 , thus leaving only the conductive lines within the trenches. Dual Damascene occurs in a similar manner and allows the formation of metal plugs and interconnects at the same time. 
     During the polishing process, embodiments of the present invention utilize optical interference to determine when the copper  306  has been removed. Initially, shown in view  301   a , the copper layer  306  is relatively thick, about 10,000 Å, and thus opaque. At this point, the light  308  that illuminates the surface of the wafer  300  is reflected back with little or no interference. Then, as the copper is polished down, the copper layer  306  becomes a thin metal, at about 300-400 Å. This is known as the thin metal zone. At this point, shown in view  301   b , the copper layer  306  becomes transparent and light can pass through the copper layer  306  to illuminate the layers beneath. 
     When the light  312  begins penetrating the various layers of the wafer optical interference occurs. Each layer of the wafer has a reflective index, which is a property that defines the layer&#39;s affect on the velocity of the light  312  as it passes from one layer to another. Hence, the velocity of the light  312  changes as the light  312  passes from one material to another. 
     At each layer interface the light  312  gets reflected and comes back to the optical detector. Since the velocity has changed inside the material, a phase change occurs. Thus, there is a phase difference between the light  314  reflected from the surface of the copper layer  306  and the light  316  reflected from the surface of the oxide layer  304 . Similarly, there is a phase difference between the light  316  reflected from the surface of the oxide layer  304  and the light  318  reflected from the surface of the substrate  302 . When the various reflected light rays  314 ,  316 , and  318  interact an optical interference occurs. 
     Thus, when the copper layer  306  is thick, a phase change does not occur because the light  308  cannot penetrate the copper layer  306 , and thus no interference occurs. However, when the copper layer  306  becomes very thin and transparent, interference occurs because phase changes occur between the light reflected from the various layers of the wafer  300 . At this point, the polishing process should be halted. 
     FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method  400  for detecting an endpoint during a chemical mechanical polishing process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In operation  402 , broad band reflectance data is obtained by illuminating a portion of the surface of the wafer with a broad band light source. Reflected spectrum data is then received corresponding to the spectrums of light reflected from the illuminated portion of the surface of the wafer. 
     FIG. 5 is spectrum graph  500  showing a broad band reflected spectrum from a wafer at various points in the CMP process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The graph  500  plots the intensity verses 1/λ, where λ is the wavelength of light in free space. Plotting intensity as a function of λ provides a non-periodic signal when optical interference occurs. Hence, the embodiments of the present invention plot intensity as a function of 1/λ, since intensity plotted as a function of 1/λ provides a periodic signal when optical interference occurs. Curve  502  shows the reflected spectrum when the copper layer of the wafer is thick, and thus opaque. As previously mentioned, when the copper layer is thick, no interference occurs because the light cannot penetrate the copper layer and thus a phase change does not occur. This is shown by curve  502 , which does not show any oscillations. As the copper layer becomes thinner oscillations begin to appear in the reflected spectrum, such as shown in curves  504   a  and  504   b , each representing the reflected spectrum at various points in time when the copper is transparent. 
     More specifically, graph  500  shows that periodic fringes or oscillations begin appearing in the reflected spectrum in the 1/λ or 1/nm axis, where nm is 10 −9  Meters, when the copper layer thickness approaches the penetration depth. Each curve in FIG. 5 is an instance of the reflectance spectrum R(1/λ) where λ is from 300 to 700 nm. The approximate relation for the ratio of the magnitude of electric field of the reflected wave to the incident wave for a single layer of dielectric on a substrate is given by equation (1) below: 
     
       
           R (1/λ)= r   01   +r   12   e   −2πβ   (1) 
       
     
     Where, r 01  and r 12  are the Fresnel&#39;s coefficients. β is the phase angle given by equation (2) below: 
     
       
         β=2 n   1   d /λ  (2) 
       
     
     where d is the thickness of the dielectric layer and n 1  is the reflective index of the dielectric. 
     Referring back to FIG. 4, the reflectance data is normalized in operation  404 . Normalizing the reflectance data reduces the sample to sample variations in the data. As mentioned previously, when the endpoint window in the polishing belt moves over the endpoint detection sensor, the surface of the wafer is illuminated by broad band light and the light reflected from the wafer surface is recorded as reflectance data. Since small variances in the data can occur because of outside factors, the reflectance data is normalized to reduce the effect the variances have on the endpoint detection process. 
     In operation  406 , the normalized reflectance data is de-trended using a polynomial fit. De-trending stretches out the reflectance curve to reduce oscillations present when the copper layer is still opaque, which can be caused by factors other than optical interference from the underlying wafer layers. To this end, a polynomial is fitted to the reflectance data and then later subtracted out. In this manner, the reflectance data curve begins essentially flat, thus allowing for easier detection of oscillations caused by the optical interference of the various layers of the wafer. 
     In operation  408 , a moving average filter is applied along the 1/λ axis. Typically, an amount of high frequency noise is present in the reflectance data curve. The high frequency noise can adversely affect the endpoint detection process. Thus, a filter is applied to the curve to reduce the high frequency noise. 
     A derivative transform is then applied to the reflectance data in operation  410 . Generally, a constant bias, or DC, is present in the reflectance data collected from the wafer surface. Since the constant bias in the reflected spectrum can be large, the Fourier transform can be dominated by a large peak at the origin. This can dominate and obscure the peaks at the higher regions of the spectrum, which are of primary interest. By applying the derivative transformation to the reflectance data, the constant bias can be reduced or eliminated. In graphical terms, the reflectance data curves can be zero centered by removing the constant bias. 
     A spectral window is then applied to the reflectance data in operation  412 . The spectral window smoothes truncation discontinuities at the edges of the curves The spectral window helps to reduce spectral leakage in the Fourier Spectrum caused by discontinuities at the edges of the reflected spectrum, which generally occur when the reflected spectrum contains a non-integer number of cycles or oscillations. 
     Zero padding is then applied to the reflectance data in operation  414 . Zero padding of the reflected spectrum data helps to zoom the Fourier Transform onto a higher resolution grid. This procedure essentially does an interpolation of the Fourier Transform on to a finer grid. This, in turn, enables increased accuracy in peak detection, as performed later in the method  400 . In one embodiment, Zero padding is performed by extending the number of discrete pixels of the reflected spectrum to a much larger grid. Any pixels in the extended grid not covered by the actual acquired data are can be filled with a value of zero. 
     In operation  416 , a Fourier Transform is applied to the reflectance data. The Fourier Transform breaks down the signal into multiple components. Hence, the Fourier Transform can be used to better detect the occurrence of an oscillating pattern in the reflected spectrum. 
     FIG. 6 is graph  600  showing a Fourier Transform of the reflectance data where the underlying dielectric layer has a thickness in the range of 6000-10000 Å, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The Fourier Transform graph  600  includes an opaque copper reflectance curve  602 , wherein the thickness of copper layer on the wafer surface is very large compared to the penetration depth, and thin metal curves  604 , wherein the copper layer is very thin compared to the penetration depth. In equations (1) and (2) above, the thickness d and the wave-number 1/λ are related through the phase expression. Thus, the Fourier Transform of R(1/λ) maps to the space of d: 
     
       
           R   F ( d )= F{R (1/λ)}←→ R (1/λ)  (3) 
       
     
     The Fourier Transform graph  600  of FIG. 6 shows R F (d) for various instances of time during a CMP process. As can be seen from the Fourier Transform graph  600 , at the time instances where the copper thickness is very large compared to the penetration depth, curve  602 , the magnitude of the Fourier Transform Graph  600  within the thickness range of the dielectric, 6000-10000 Å, is very small. When the polish reaches the penetration depth, a significant peak begins to appear within the dielectric thickness range, as shown by the thin metal curves  604 . As shown by the Fourier Transform Graph  600 , the peak values for the thin metal curves  604  appear at about 8000 Å, which in this example is the thickness of the dielectric layer below the copper layer. 
     In other embodiments, where the wafer structures are more complicated, the primary peaks of the Fourier Transform represent the geometrical layout of the layered structure. For example, in a two layer structure with thickness d 1  and d 2 , the primary peaks will appear at d 1  and d 1 +d 2 . Embodiments of the present invention use this property to detect and flag the first instance during the CMP process when a metal layer reaches the thin metal zone. For copper the penetration depth is about 500 Å and for Tungsten it is about 800 Å. 
     Referring back to FIG. 4, a specific number of peaks are found in the Fourier Transform spectrum within predetermined thickness bounds. When the thickness of the underlying dielectric layer is known, a window can be focused on an area of the graph that covers the dielectric thickness. FIG. 7 is a Fourier Window  700  showing Fourier Transforms of reflectance data curves in a specific thickness bounds for various instances of time. In the example of FIG. 7, the thickness of the dielectric layer below the copper layer is in the range of 6000-10000 Å. Thus, the Fourier window  700  is configured to show the Fourier Transform of the reflectance data curves within a thickness established by a low thickness bound (LTB) of 6000 Å and a high thickness bound (HTB) of 10,000 Å. Thus, referring back to FIG. 4, during operation  418  a predetermined number of peaks are found between the thickness bounds defined by LTB and HTB. 
     Next, in operation  420 , the magnitude of the peaks found in operation  418  are summed. FIG. 8 is a graph  800  showing the magnitudes of the peaks found during operation  418  as a function of time, which is shown as the shot number. The shot number represents the sequence of the reflectance data obtained during consecutive iterations of the endpoint detection process. As shown from graph  800 , the peak magnitude curve  802  remains low during the earlier stages of the CMP process, in this example, during shots 1 to about 84. Then, as the copper approaches the thin metal zone at about shot  90 , the peak magnitude curve  802  rises sharply because of the oscillations occurring in the reflected spectrum data as a result of optical interference when the copper layer becomes thin and transparent. 
     Referring back to FIG. 4, a decision is made as to whether the sum of the peak magnitudes are greater than a predefined threshold, in operation  422 . The threshold is generally selected so as to estimate when the thin metal zone has been reached. Typically the threshold is selected so as to be high relative to the sum of the peak magnitudes when the thickness of metal layer is large compared to the penetration depth. If the sum of the peak magnitudes found in operation  418  are less than the predefined threshold, the method  400  continues to obtain the next broad band reflectance data in operation  402 . Otherwise, the method  400  is completed in operation  424 . 
     The CMP process is terminated in operation  424 , since at this point the endpoint has been reached. In other embodiments of the present invention, statistical hypothesis tests can be used to determine when the thin metal zone has been reached. Since the embodiments of the present invention use optical interference instead of mere changes in the surface reflectivity as in conventional endpoint detection, the embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide increased sensitivity and robustness in endpoint detection. In addition to endpoint detection, the embodiments of the present invention advantageously can be used to determine the thickness of the layers in the wafer. Conventionally, an off line metrology tool was needed to measure the thickness of the layers of the wafer. The embodiments of the present invention can measure the thickness of the layers of the wafer without needing to remove the wafer and measure from a separate machine. 
     Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.