Abstract: A design method of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus which can satisfy a specification required by a user is disclosed. The design method of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes creating a program setting file; creating a program installer from the program setting file; operating a processing unit of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus; specifying a sensor corresponding to the processing unit based on the operation of the processing unit; creating a sensor setting file storing information obtained by specifying the sensor; comparing a content of a requirement specification and a content of the sensor setting file to confirm a consistency between the content of the requirement specification and the content of the sensor setting file; and introducing a program into a memory of a controller by the program installer when the content of the requirement specification and the content of the sensor setting file are consistent with each other.

Abstract: A design method of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus which can satisfy a specification required by a user is disclosed. The design method of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes creating a program setting file; creating a program installer from the program setting file; operating a processing unit of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus; specifying a sensor corresponding to the processing unit based on the operation of the processing unit; creating a sensor setting file storing information obtained by specifying the sensor; comparing a content of a requirement specification and a content of the sensor setting file to confirm a consistency between the content of the requirement specification and the content of the sensor setting file; and introducing a program into a memory of a controller by the program installer when the content of the requirement specification and the content of the sensor setting file are consistent with each other.

Abstract: A processing end point detection method detects a timing of a processing end point (e.g., polishing stop, changing of polishing conditions) by calculating a characteristic value of a surface of a workpiece (an object of polishing) such as a substrate. This method includes producing a spectral waveform indicating a relationship between reflection intensities and wavelengths at a processing end point, with use of a reference workpiece or simulation calculation, based on the spectral waveform, selecting wavelengths of a local maximum value and a local minimum value of the reflection intensities, calculating the characteristic value with respect to a surface, to be processed, from reflection intensities at the selected wavelengths, setting a distinctive point of time variation of the characteristic value at a processing end point of the workpiece as the processing end point, and detecting the processing end point of the workpiece by detecting the distinctive point during processing of the workpiece.

Abstract: A processing end point detection method detects a timing of a processing end point (e.g., polishing stop, changing of polishing conditions) by calculating a characteristic value of a surface of a workpiece (an object of polishing) such as a substrate. This method includes producing a spectral waveform indicating a relationship between reflection intensities and wavelengths at a processing end point, with use of a reference workpiece or simulation calculation, based on the spectral waveform, selecting wavelengths of a local maximum value and a local minimum value of the reflection intensities, calculating the characteristic value with respect to a surface, to be processed, from reflection intensities at the selected wavelengths, setting a distinctive point of time variation of the characteristic value at a processing end point of the workpiece as the processing end point, and detecting the processing end point of the workpiece by detecting the distinctive point during processing of the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a remote monitoring system for polishing end point detection units mounted to polishing apparatuses for polishing wafers, such as substrates. The remote monitoring system includes: polishing end point detection units each configured to detect a polishing end point of a substrate; and a host computer coupled to the polishing end point detection units via a network. The host computer includes a memory configured to store polishing end point detection data sent from the polishing end point detection units and a display screen configured to display the polishing end point detection data. The host computer is configured to send a new polishing end point detection recipe to at least one polishing end point detection unit selected from the polishing end point detection units to rewrite a polishing end point detection recipe of the least one polishing end point detection unit.

Abstract: A processing end point detection method detects a timing of a processing end point (e.g., polishing stop, changing of polishing conditions) by calculating a characteristic value of a surface of a workpiece (an object of polishing) such as a substrate. This method includes producing a spectral waveform indicating a relationship between reflection intensities and wavelengths at a processing end point, with use of a reference workpiece or simulation calculation, based on the spectral waveform, selecting wavelengths of a local maximum value and a local minimum value of the reflection intensities, calculating the characteristic value with respect to a surface, to be processed, from reflection intensities at the selected wavelengths, setting a distinctive point of time variation of the characteristic value at a processing end point of the workpiece as the processing end point, and detecting the processing end point of the workpiece by detecting the distinctive point during processing of the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing end point detection method for detecting a timing of a processing end point (e.g., polishing stop, changing of polishing conditions) by calculating a characteristic value of a surface of a workpiece (an object of polishing) such as a substrate.

Abstract: A polished state monitoring apparatus capable of easily grasping the progress of polishing is provided. The polished state monitoring apparatus monitors the progress of polishing of a surface to be polished by obtaining a characteristic value indicating a state of the polished surface of an object at each sampling point every predetermined interval while scanning the surface. The apparatus includes light emitting means capable of emitting light for irradiating the surface and computing units for receiving light reflected from the surface to generate a characteristic value. Then, the apparatus fetches the characteristic values obtained from the sampling points at the same sampling timing during each scan and outputs the characteristic values. This enables the progress of the polishing to be monitored in accordance with the distance from the center of the surface.

Abstract: A polished state monitoring apparatus capable of easily grasping the progress of polish is provided. The polished state monitoring apparatus monitors the progress of polish of a surface to be polished by obtaining a characteristic value indicating a state of the polished surface of an object 12 at each sampling point every predetermined interval while scanning the surface. The apparatus comprises light emitting means 21 capable of emitting light for irradiating the surface and computing units 26 for receiving light reflected from the surface to generate a characteristic value. Then, the apparatus fetches the characteristic values obtained from the sampling points at the same sampling timing during each scan and outputs the characteristic values. This enables the progress of the polish to be monitored in accordance with the distance from the center of the surface.