Patent ID: 8005634

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for processing wafers, the method comprising: subjecting a first wafer to a first deposition process and a subsequent polishing process, the first deposition process being controlled in accordance with a first deposition model that is operable to calculate parameters for the first deposition process, the polishing process being controlled in accordance with a polishing model that is operable to calculate parameters for the polishing process; measuring a property of the first wafer while or after the first wafer is subject to the polishing process, the measuring producing a measured value for the property of the first wafer; identifying a property of a subsequent wafer incoming to the first deposition process and calculating a pre-polish target value for the identified property, the identifying and calculating being based on the polishing model and the measured value of the property of the first wafer; and using the first deposition model to determine whether it is possible to achieve, by using the first deposition process, the pre-polish target value for the identified property and, if it is determined that it is possible to achieve the pre-polish target value, using the first deposition model to calculate parameters for the first deposition process that are needed to achieve the pre-polish target value.