Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
  • H01L21/00—Processes or apparatus adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid state devices or of parts thereof
  • H01L21/02—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof
  • H01L21/04—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof the devices having potential barriers, e.g. a PN junction, depletion layer or carrier concentration layer
  • H01L21/18—Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof the devices having potential barriers, e.g. a PN junction, depletion layer or carrier concentration layer the devices having semiconductor bodies comprising elements of Group IV of the Periodic Table or AIIIBV compounds with or without impurities, e.g. doping materials
  • H01L21/30—Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups H01L21/20 - H01L21/26
  • H01L21/302—Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups H01L21/20 - H01L21/26 to change their surface-physical characteristics or shape, e.g. etching, polishing, cutting
  • H01L21/304—Mechanical treatment, e.g. grinding, polishing, cutting
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
  • B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
  • B24B37/00—Lapping machines or devices; Accessories
  • B24B37/005—Control means for lapping machines or devices
  • B24B37/013—Devices or means for detecting lapping completion
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
  • B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
  • B24B49/00—Measuring or gauging equipment for controlling the feed movement of the grinding tool or work; Arrangements of indicating or measuring equipment, e.g. for indicating the start of the grinding operation
  • B24B49/02—Measuring or gauging equipment for controlling the feed movement of the grinding tool or work; Arrangements of indicating or measuring equipment, e.g. for indicating the start of the grinding operation according to the instantaneous size and required size of the workpiece acted upon, the measuring or gauging being continuous or intermittent
  • B24B49/04—Measuring or gauging equipment for controlling the feed movement of the grinding tool or work; Arrangements of indicating or measuring equipment, e.g. for indicating the start of the grinding operation according to the instantaneous size and required size of the workpiece acted upon, the measuring or gauging being continuous or intermittent involving measurement of the workpiece at the place of grinding during grinding operation

Definitions

• the present relates generally to monitoring of multiple substrates during chemical mechanical polishing.
• An integrated circuit is typically formed on a substrate by the sequential deposition of conductive, semiconductive, or insulative layers on a silicon wafer.
• One fabrication step involves depositing a filler layer over a non-planar surface and planarizing the filler layer.
• the filler layer is planarized until the top surface of a patterned layer is exposed.
• a conductive filler layer for example, can be deposited on a patterned insulative layer to fill the trenches or holes in the insulative layer.
• the portions of the conductive layer remaining between the raised pattern of the insulative layer form vias, plugs, and lines that provide conductive paths between thin film circuits on the substrate.
• the filler layer is planarized until a predetermined thickness is left over the non planar surface.
• planarization of the substrate surface is usually required for photolithography.
• CMP Chemical mechanical polishing
• This planarization method typically requires that the substrate be mounted on a carrier or polishing head.
• the exposed surface of the substrate is typically placed against a rotating polishing disk pad or belt pad.
• the polishing pad can be either a standard pad or a fixed abrasive pad.
• a standard pad has a durable roughened surface, whereas a fixed-abrasive pad has abrasive particles held in a containment media.
• the carrier head provides a controllable load on the substrate to push it against the polishing pad.
• a polishing liquid, such as a slurry with abrasive particles, is typically supplied to the surface of the polishing pad.
• One problem in CMP is using an appropriate polishing rate to achieve a desirable wafer profile, e.g., a wafer that includes a substrate layer that has been planarized to a desired flatness or thickness, or a desired amount of material has been removed.
• Overpolishing (removing too much) of a conductive layer or film leads to increased circuit resistance.
• underpolishing (removing too little) of a conductive layer leads to electrical shorting.
• it can be difficult to control the thickness across wafers. Variations in the initial thickness of a substrate layer, the slurry composition, the polishing pad condition, the relative speed between the polishing pad and a substrate, and the load on a substrate can cause variations in the material removal rate across substrates.
• a computer-implemented method includes polishing a plurality of substrates simultaneously in a polishing apparatus.
• Each substrate has a polishing rate independently controllable by an independently variable polishing parameter.
• Measurement data that varies with the thickness of each of the substrates is acquired from each of the substrates during polishing with an in-situ monitoring system.
• a projected thickness that each substrate will have at a target time is determined based on the measurement data.
• the polishing parameter for at least one substrate is adjusted to adjust the polishing rate of the at least one substrate such that the substrates have closer to the same thickness at the target time than without the adjustment.
• Determining the projected thickness that each substrate will have at the target time can include calculating the current polishing rate.
• Acquiring measurement data can include obtaining a sequence of thickness measurements. Calculating the current polishing rate can include fitting a linear function to the sequence of thickness measurements, and determining the projected thickness can include extrapolating when the linear function will reach the target time.
• Acquiring measurement data may include acquiring measurement data with an eddy current monitoring system. When an eddy current monitoring system is used, polishing may be halted upon detection of a polishing endpoint with a laser monitoring system.
• Acquiring measurement data can include acquiring measurement data with an optical monitoring system.
• a sequence of current spectra of reflected light can be acquired from the substrate.
• Each current spectra from the sequence of current spectra can be compared to a plurality of reference spectra from a reference spectra library, and a best-match reference spectra can be selected.
• the polishing parameter may be a pressure in the carrier head of the polishing apparatus, the rotation rate of the carrier head, or the rotation rate of the platen of the polishing apparatus.
• Adjusting the polishing parameter can include selecting a reference substrate and adjusting the polishing parameter of a different substrate. Adjusting the polishing parameter of the different substrate can include adjusting the polishing rate of the different substrate such that the different substrate has approximately the projected thickness of the reference substrate at the target time. Selecting a reference substrate may include selecting a predetermined substrate. Selecting a reference substrate may include selecting a substrate having the thinnest projected thickness or the thickest projected thickness. Adjusting the polishing parameter may include calculating an average thickness from the projected thickness for each substrate. Adjusting the polishing parameter may include adjusting the polishing parameters of the substrates such that the substrates have approximately the average thickness at the target time. The substrates can be polished at the same platen. In other aspects, polishing systems and computer-program products tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium are provided to carry out these methods.
• Certain implementations may have one or more of the following advantages.
• defects can be avoided, such as scratches caused by rinsing a substrate with water too early or corrosion caused by failing to rinse a substrate in a timely manner.
• Equalizing polishing times across multiple substrates can also improve throughput.
• FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a polishing apparatus having two polishing heads.
• FIG. 2A is a flow diagram of an example process for adjusting the polishing rate of a substrate in a plurality of substrates such that the plurality of substrates reach the target thickness at approximately the same time.
• FIG. 2B is a flow diagram of an example process for adjusting the polishing rate of a substrate in a plurality of substrates such that the plurality of substrates have approximately the same thickness at the target time.
• FIG. 3 illustrates an example graph of polishing progress, measured in thickness, versus time for a process in which the polishing rates are adjusted to reach a target time or thickness.
• FIG. 4 illustrates an example graph of polishing progress, measured by spectrograph ic index, for a process in which the polishing rates are adjusted to reach a target time or index.
• FIG. 5 illustrates two example signal traces, corresponding to two substrates polished on the same platen, from a process in which the polishing rate is adjusted for both substrates.
• polishing rate variations between the substrates can lead to the substrates reaching their target thickness at different times.
• polishing is halted simultaneously for the substrates, then some will not be at the desired thickness.
• polishing for the substrates is stopped at different times, then some substrates may have defects and the polishing apparatus is operating at lower throughput.
• a projected endpoint time for a target thickness or a projected thickness for target endpoint time can be determined for each substrate, and the polishing rate for at least one substrate can be adjusted so that the substrates achieve closer endpoint conditions.
• close endpoint conditions it is meant that the substrates would reach their target thickness closer to the same time than without such adjustment, or if the substrates halt polishing at the same time, that the substrates would have closer to the same thickness than without such adjustment.
• FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a polishing apparatus 100.
• the polishing apparatus 100 includes a rotatable disk-shaped platen 120 on which a polishing pad 1 10 is situated.
• the platen is operable to rotate about an axis 125.
• a motor 121 can turn a drive shaft 142 to rotate the platen 120.
• the polishing apparatus 100 includes a combined slurry/rinse arm 122.
• the arm 122 is operable to dispense a polishing liquid 1 18, such as a slurry, onto the polishing pad 1 10.
• the polishing apparatus 100 includes two carrier heads 130.
• Each carrier head 130 is operable to hold a substrate 1 15 against the polishing pad 1 10.
• Each carrier head 130 can have independent control of the polishing parameters, for example pressure, associated with each respective substrate.
• Each carrier head 130 is suspended from a support structure 171 and is connected by a drive shaft to a carrier head rotation motor so that the carrier head can rotate about an axis 161.
• each carrier head 130 can oscillate laterally. In operation, the platen is rotated about its central axis 125, and each carrier head is rotated about its central axis 161 and translated laterally across the top surface of the polishing pad.
• the number of carrier head assemblies adapted to hold substrates for a simultaneous polishing process can be based, at least in part, on the surface area of the polishing pad 1 10. While only one slurry/rinse arm 122 is shown, additional nozzles, such as one or more dedicated slurry arms per carrier head, can be used.
• the polishing apparatus also includes an in-situ monitoring system 140, which can be used to determine whether to adjust a polishing rate or an adjustment for the polishing rate as discussed below.
• the in-situ monitoring system 140 can include an optical monitoring system, e.g., a laser or spectrographic monitoring system, or an eddy current monitoring system.
• the monitoring system is an optical monitoring system.
• An optical access 155 through the polishing pad is provided by including an aperture (i.e. a hole that runs through the pad) or a solid window.
• the optical monitoring system can include one or more of the following (not shown): a light source, a light detector, and circuitry for sending and receiving signals to and from the light source and light detector.
• Light can then pass from the light source, through the optical access 155 in the polishing pad 1 10, impinge, and reflect from the substrate 1 15, back through the optical access 155, and to the light detector.
• the output of the detector can be a digital electronic signal that passes through a rotary coupler, e.g., a slip ring, in the drive shaft 142 to a controller 145, such as a computer, for the optical monitoring system.
• the light source can be turned on or off in response to control commands in digital electronic signals that pass from the controller through the rotary coupler to the monitoring system.
• the light source can be operable to emit white light.
• the white light emitted includes light having wavelengths of 200-800 nanometers.
• a suitable light source is a xenon lamp or a xenon mercury lamp.
• the light detector can be a spectrometer.
• a spectrometer is an optical instrument for measuring intensity of light over a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
• a suitable spectrometer is a grating spectrometer.
• Typical output for a spectrometer is the intensity of the light as a function of wavelength (or frequency).
• the light source and light detector can be connected to a computing device, e.g., a controller, operable to control their operation and receive their signals.
• the computing device can include a microprocessor situated near the polishing apparatus, e.g., a programmable computer. With respect to control, the computing device can, for example, synchronize activation of the light source with the rotation of the platen 120.
• the senor of the in-situ monitoring system are installed in and rotate with the platen 120. In this case, the motion of the platen will cause the sensor to scan across the substrate.
• the sensor of the in-situ monitoring system is stationary and positioned below the substrate. In this case, the in-situ monitoring system make a measurement each time that an aperture through the platen is aligned with the sensor to permit optical access to the substrate.
• the computing device can cause the light source to emit a series of flashes starting just before and ending just after the substrate 1 15 passes over the in-situ monitoring module or the aperture in the platen is aligned with the sensor of the in-situ monitoring module.
• the computing device can cause the light source to emit light continuously starting just before and ending just after the substrate 1 15 passes over the in-situ monitoring module or the aperture in the platen is aligned with the sensor of the in-situ monitoring module.
• the signal from the detector can be integrated over a sampling period to generate spectra measurements at a sampling frequency.
• the alignment of the substrate with the monitoring module can be different than in the previous pass.
• spectra are obtained from different radii on the substrate. That is, some spectra are obtained from locations closer to the center of the substrate and some are closer to the edge.
• a sequence of spectra can be obtained over time.
• the computing device can receive, for example, a signal that carries information describing a spectrum of the light received by the light detector for a particular flash of the light source or time frame of the detector. Thus, this spectrum is a spectrum measured in-situ during polishing.
• the spectrum of light reflected from the substrate 1 15 evolves as polishing progresses due to changes in the thickness of the outermost layer, thus yielding a sequence of time-varying spectra. Moreover, particular spectra are exhibited by particular thicknesses of the layer stack.
• the computing device can include a comparison module that compares the measured spectra to multiple reference spectra to generate a sequence of best-match reference spectra, and determines a goodness of fit for the sequence of best-match reference spectra.
• a reference spectrum is a predefined spectrum generated prior to polishing of the substrate.
• a reference spectrum can have a pre-defined association, i.e., defined prior to the polishing operation, with a value of a substrate property, such as a thickness of the outermost layer.
• the reference spectrum can have a pre-defined association with value representing a time in the polishing process at which the spectrum is expected to appear, assuming that the actual polishing rate follows an expected polishing rate.
• a reference spectrum can be generated empirically, e.g., by measuring the spectrum from a test substrate having a known layer thicknesses, or generated from theory. For example, to determine a reference spectrum, a spectrum of a "set-up" substrate with the same pattern as the product substrate can be measured pre-polish at a metrology station. A substrate property, e.g., the thickness of the outermost layer, can be also be measured pre- polish with the same metrology station or a different metrology station. The set-up substrate is then polished while spectra are collected. For each spectrum, a value is recorded representing the time in the polishing process at which the spectrum was collected. For example, the value can be an elapsed time, or a number of platen rotations.
• the substrate can be overpolished, i.e., polished past a desired thickness, so that the spectrum of the light that reflected from the substrate when the target thickness is achieved can be obtained.
• the spectrum and property, e.g., thickness of the outermost layer, of the set-up substrate can then be measured post-polish at a metrology station.
• some or all of the reference spectra can be calculated from theory, e.g., using an optical model of the substrate layers.
• optical model can be used to calculate a spectrum for a given outer layer thickness D.
• a value representing the time in the polishing process at which the spectrum would be collected can be calculated, e.g., by assuming that the outer layer is removed at a uniform polishing rate.
• a library of reference spectra is a collection of reference spectra which represent substrates that share a property in common.
• the property shared in common in a single library may vary across multiple libraries of reference spectra.
• two different libraries can include reference spectra that represent substrates with two different underlying thicknesses.
• Spectra for different libraries can be generated by polishing multiple "set-up" substrates with different substrate properties (e.g., underlying layer thicknesses, or layer composition) and collecting spectra as discussed above; the spectra from one set-up substrate can provide a first library and the spectra from another substrate with a different underlying layer thickness can provide a second library.
• substrate properties e.g., underlying layer thicknesses, or layer composition
• reference spectra for different libraries can be calculated from theory, e.g., spectra for a first library can be calculated using the optical model with the underlying layer having a first thickness, and spectra for a second library can be calculated using the optical model with the underlying layer having a different one thickness.
• each reference spectrum is assigned an index value.
• This index can be the value representing the time in the polishing process at which the reference spectrum is expected to be observed.
• the spectra can be indexed so that each spectrum in a particular library has a unique index value.
• the indexing can be implemented so that the index values are sequenced in an order in which the spectra were measured.
• An index value can be selected to change monotonically, e.g., increase or decrease, as polishing progresses.
• the index values of the reference spectra can be selected so that they form a linear function of time or number of platen rotations.
• the index values can be proportional to a number of platen rotations.
• each index number can be a whole number, and the index number can represent the expected platen rotation at which the associated spectrum would appear.
• the reference spectra and their associated indices can be stored in a library.
• the library can be implemented in memory of the computing device of the polishing apparatus.
• an index trace can be generated for each library.
• Each index trace includes a sequence of indices that form the trace, each particular index of the sequence associated with a particular measured spectrum.
• a particular index in the sequence is generated by selecting the index of the reference spectrum from the given library that is the closest fit to a particular measured spectrum.
• each current spectrum from the sequence of current spectra is compared to a plurality of reference spectra from a reference spectra library to generate a sequence of best-match reference spectra.
• the reference spectrum that is the best match to the current spectrum is determined.
• a best match can be determined between each of the current spectra and each of the reference spectra of a given library.
• Each selected current spectra is compared against each reference spectra.
• a matching coefficient could be calculated for each of the following combinations of current and reference spectra: e and E, e and F, e and G, f and E, f and F, f and G, g and E, g and F, and g and G.
• Whichever matching coefficient indicates the best match, e.g., is the smallest, determines the reference spectrum, and thus the index.
• the monitoring system is an eddy current monitoring system.
• the eddy coil monitoring system can include one or more of the following (not shown): a drive coil for generating an oscillating magnetic field, which may couple with the conductive region of interest on the substrate 115 such as a portion of metal layer on a semiconductor wafer.
• the drive coil is wound around a core (not shown) which may be formed of a ferrite material such as a MnZn or NiZn ferrite.
• the oscillating magnetic field generates eddy currents locally in the conductive region of the substrate 1 15.
• the eddy currents cause the conductive region of the substrate to act as an impedance source in parallel with a sense coil and a capacitor (not shown).
• the eddy current sensing mechanism can sense the change in the strength of the eddy currents, and thus the change in the thickness of the conductive region. Therefore, eddy current systems may be used to determine parameters of the conductive region, such as a thickness of the conductive region, or may be used to determine related parameters, such as a polishing endpoint. Note that although the thickness of a particular conductive region is discussed above, the relative position of the core and the conductive layer may change, so that thickness information for a number of different conductive regions is obtained. Likewise, although the thickness of a particular substrate is disclosed, multiple substrates located on the same platen may be monitored.
• a change in Q-factor may be determined by measuring an eddy current amplitude as a function of time, for a fixed drive frequency and amplitude.
• An eddy current signal may be rectified using a rectifier, and the amplitude monitored via an output.
• a change in Q-factor may be determined by measuring an eddy current phase as a function of time.
• the monitoring system can include other sensor elements, including, for example, lasers, light emitting diodes, and photodetectors.
• the measurement data gathered by the monitoring system can be gathered from a plurality of substrates.
• a plurality of substrates are polished in. a polishing apparatus simultaneously with the same polishing pad, as described above.
• each substrate has its polishing rate controllable independently of the other substrates by an independently variable polishing parameter, e.g., the pressure applied by the carrier head holding the particular substrate (step 201).
• the substrates are monitored (step 202) as described above.
• a projected time at which each substrate will reach a target thickness is determined (step 203).
• the polishing parameter for at least one substrate is adjusted to adjust the polishing rate of that substrate such that the plurality of substrates reach the target thickness at approximately the same time (step 204).
• a projected thickness that each substrate will have at a target time is determined (step 205).
• the polishing parameter for at least one substrate is adjusted to adjust the polishing rate of that substrate such that the plurality of substrate have approximately the same thickness at the target time (step 206).
• the measured thicknesses can be plotted according to time for each substrate.
• a polynomial function of known order e.g., a first- order function (i.e., a line 302) is fit to the collected thickness measurements of that substrate, e.g., using robust line fitting.
• the intersection of the line 301 with the target thickness can be calculated.
• the endpoint time can be calculated based on the polishing rate PR, the pre polish starting thickness of the substrate, ST, and the target thickness, TT (the polishing rate PR and starting thickness ST are given by the results of the fitting the function to the collected thickness measurements, whereas the target thickness is set by the user prior to the polishing operation and stored).
• the line meets a target time at which polishing will halt defines a projected endpoint thickness.
• the rate of change of the thickness for each substrate can thus be used to extrapolate the thickness to determine the thickness that will be achieved at the expected endpoint time for the associated substrate.
• each substrate could have a different endpoint time (which is not desirable because it can lead to defects and loss of throughput) or if endpoint is forced at the same time for all substrates, then each substrate can have a different thickness.
• substrate A would endpoint at a greater thickness than substrate B.
• substrate A would require an endpoint time that is later than the endpoint time of substrate B.
• the polishing rate can be adjusted upwardly or downwardly, such that the substrates would reach the target thickness closer to the same time than without such adjustment, e.g., at approximately the same time, or would have closer to the same thickness, e.g., the target thickness, at the target time than without such adjustment, e.g., approximately the same thickness.
• the polishing parameters for substrate A are modified so that the polishing rate of substrate A is increased, and the polishing rate of substrate B is decreased, such that both substrates would reach the target thickness at approximately the same time (or if polishing of both substrates halts at the same time, at approximately the same thickness).
• the projected endpoint times indicate that the substrates would reach the target thickness at approximately the same time, then no adjustment may be required.
• approximately the same time is meant within 2%, e.g., within 1%, e.g., within 0.5% of the total polishing time, or within 5 seconds, e.g., within 2 seconds, e.g., within 1.5 seconds.
• the projected endpoint thicknesses indicate that the substrates would have approximately the same thickness at the target time, then no adjustment may be necessary.
• the thickness difference is less than 200 Angstroms.
• the polishing rate can be adjusted for various substrates to equalize the polishing time.
• a reference substrate might be chosen and the processing parameters for all of the other substrates adjusted such that all of the substrates will endpoint at - approximately the projected time of the reference substrate.
• the reference substrate can be, for example, a predetermined substrate, a substrate having the earliest or latest projected time of the substrates, or a substrate having the desired projected endpoint.
• the earliest time is equivalent to the thinnest substrate if polishing is halted at the same time.
• the latest time is equivalent to the thickest substrate if polishing is halted at the same time.
• the polishing parameter can be adjusted such that the plurality of substrates reach a target thickness at approximately the average projected time or reach a target time at approximately the average projected thickness for the substrates.
• the target time is simply a predetermined time, e.g., approximately 40 seconds or a predetermined thickness, e.g. approximately 1500-2000 angstroms.
• the user can select the method of choosing the target time or thickness prior to polishing through the use of a user interface, e.g., the computer receives input from the user selecting which of the plurality of methods of selecting the target time.
• the polishing rates can be adjusted by, for example, increasing or decreasing the pressure in a corresponding carrier head.
• the change in polishing rate can be assumed to be directly proportional to the change in pressure, e.g., a simple Prestonian model. For example, where substrate A is projected to reach the target thickness at a time TA, and the system has established a target time T 1 -, the carrier head pressure before time T] can be multiplied by TT/TA to provide the carrier head pressure after time Tl . Additionally, a control model for polishing the substrates can be developed that takes into account the influences of platen or head rotational speed, second order effects of different head pressure combinations, the polishing temperature, slurry flow, or other parameters that affect the polishing rate. At a subsequent time during the polishing process, the rates can again be adjusted, if appropriate. As shown in FIG.
• index data gathered with an optical monitoring system can also be plotted according to time and an adjustment made to one or more substrates such that polishing of all of the substrates ends at approximately the same index or time.
• This system works similar to that of FIG. 3, but the calculations are made using index values rather than thickness values.
• the polishing rate as indicated by signal trace, can be monitored. If the trace of the first substrate 501 and the trace of the second substrate 502 indicate that the two substrates will not endpoint at the same projected time, then the polishing rate of one or both heads can be adjusted.
• the process of determining projected times that the substrates will reach the target thickness, and adjusting the polishing rates, can be repeated multiple times during the polishing process, e.g., every thirty to sixty seconds.
• endpoints were predicted at four points during polishing and the polishing pressure was increased for the slower head to speed up polishing.
• the pressure was multiplied for the first substrate, shown in trace 501, by a factor of 1.25 at 31 seconds (510) and a factor of 1.02 at 51 seconds (511).
• the pressure was then multiplied for the second substrate, shown in trace 502, by a factor of 1.20 at 70 seconds (512) and a factor of 1.27 at 91 seconds (513).
• the final endpoints of the two substrates were 0.4 seconds apart.
• changes in the polishing rates can be made only a few times, such as four, three, two or only one time. The adjustment can be made near the beginning, at the middle or toward the end of the polishing process.
• the method used to adjust endpoints can be different based upon the type of polishing performed.
• a single eddy current monitoring system can be used.
• a single eddy current monitoring system can first be used so that all of the substrates reach a first breakthrough at the same time. The eddy current monitoring system can then be switched to a laser monitoring system to clear and over-polish the wafers.
• an optical monitoring system can be used for barrier and dielectric CMP with multiple wafers on a single platen.
• Embodiments of the invention and all of the functional operations described in this specification can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structural means disclosed in this specification and structural equivalents thereof, or in combinations of them.
• Embodiments of the invention can be implemented as one or more computer program products, i.e., one or more computer programs tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage media for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers.
• a computer programs can be encoded in an information carrier, e.g., in a propagated signal.
• a computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.
• a computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file.
• a program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data, in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub-programs, or portions of code).
• a computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.
• the processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output.
• the processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).
• polishing apparatus and methods can be applied in a variety of polishing systems.
• Either the polishing pad, or the carrier heads, or both can move to provide relative motion between the polishing surface and the substrate.
• the platen may orbit rather than rotate.
• the polishing pad can be a circular (or some other shape) pad secured to the platen.
• Some aspects of the endpoint detection system may be applicable to linear polishing systems, e.g., where the polishing pad is a continuous or a reel-to-reel belt that moves linearly.
• the polishing layer can be a standard (for example, polyurethane with or without fillers) polishing material, a soft material, or a fixed-abrasive material. Terms of relative positioning are used; it should be understood that the polishing surface and substrate can be held in a vertical orientation or some other orientation.

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• 2009
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