Patent ID: 7935948

Claim:
A method of providing a predetermined fluid level of a dispense fluid in a dispense nozzle of a semiconductor process module, the method comprising: a) providing an optical beam propagating along an optical path, wherein the optical beam is provided by an optical source; b) positioning the dispense nozzle along the optical path at a first location between the optical source and an optical detector coupled to the optical path, the first location being characterized by a first position measured along a first direction aligned with a dispense direction such that the optical beam impinges on the dispense nozzle; c) establishing a first fluid level recessed a first distance from a tip of the dispense nozzle; d) measuring a first optical signal utilizing the optical detector; e) establishing a second fluid level recessed a second distance from the tip of the dispense nozzle, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance; f) measuring a second optical signal utilizing the optical detector; and g) repeating steps (e) and (f) until a meniscus of the dispense fluid is associated with the predetermined fluid level.