Abstract: Techniques for polishing a wafer (10) include closed-loop control. The wafer can be held by a carrier head (100) having at least one chamber whose pressure is controlled to apply a downward force on the wafer. Thickness-related measurements of the wafer can be obtained during polishing and a thickness profile for the wafer is calculated based on the thickness-related measurements. The calculated thickness profile is compared to a target thickness profile. The pressure in at least one carrier head chamber is adjusted based on results of the comparison. The carrier head chamber pressures can be adjusted to control the amount of downward force applied to the wafer during polishing and/or to control the size of a loading area on the wafer against which the downward force is applied.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of controlling an electroless deposition process by directing electromagnetic radiation towards the surface of a substrate and detecting the change in intensity of the electromagnetic radiation at one or more wavelengths reflected off features on the surface of the substrate is provided. In one embodiment, the detected end of an electroless deposition process step is measured while the substrate is rotated relative to the detection mechanism. In another embodiment, a detection mechanism, which is proximate to the processing region, directs electromagnetic radiation onto a substrate surface, which is then reflected by features on the substrate surface and is detected by the detection mechanism. In one aspect, the angle of the directed electromagnetic radiation is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate and the shape of the directed electromagnetic radiation spot is substantially circular in shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using fixed abrasive polishing pads that contain posts for chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). The posts have different shapes, different sizes, different heights, different materials, different distribution of abrasive particles and different process chemicals. This invention also includes preconditioning fixed abrasive articles comprising a plurality of posts so that the posts have equal heights above the backing to achieve a uniform texture. This invention relates to improvements with respect to in situ rate measurement (ISRM) devices. The invention resides in providing a mechanical means, such as a notch, to determine when approaching the end of the abrasive web roll. The invention resides in coding the web throughout its length to enable determining the location of different portions of the web. This invention resides in providing perforations in the sides or end of the web for improved handling.

Abstract: Improved endpoint detection and/or thickness measurements may be obtained by correcting sensor data using calibration parameters and/or drift compensation parameters. Calibration parameters may include an offset and a slope, or other parameters. Drift compensation parameters may include off-wafer measurements.

Abstract: The polishing pad for a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus, and a method of making the same. The polishing pad has a covering layer with a polishing surface and a backing layer which is adjacent to the platen. A first opening in the covering layer with a first cross-sectional area and a second opening in the backing layer with a second, different cross-sectional area form an aperture through the polishing pad. A substantially transparent polyurethane plug is positioned in the aperture, and an adhesive material fixes the plug in the aperture.

Abstract: A CMP station can be closed loop controlled by using data obtained by an inline metrology station from a first polished wafer to affect the processing of subsequent polished wafers. The first wafer is polished and measured by the inline metrology station. The metrology station measures at various points the array dielectric thickness, field dielectric thickness, barrier residue thickness and metal residue thickness. The data is then inputted into an algorithm and polishing parameter outputs are calculated. The outputs are sent to the CMP station and used to supplement or replace the previous polishing parameters. Subsequent wafers are polished on the CMP station using the revised polishing parameters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring a substrate surface during chemical mechanical polishing are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to implement techniques for monitoring polishing a substrate. Two or more data points are acquired, where each data point has a value affected by features inside a sensing region of a sensor and corresponds to a relative position of the substrate and the sensor as the sensing region traverses through the substrate. A set of reference points is used to modify the acquired data points. The modification compensates for distortions in the acquired data points caused by the sensing region traversing through the substrate. Based on the modified data points, a local property of the substrate is evaluated to monitor polishing.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus has a polishing pad, a carrier to hold a substrate against a first side of the polishing surface, and a motor coupled to at least one of the polishing pad and carrier head for generating relative motion therebetween. An eddy current monitoring system is positioned to generate an alternating magnetic field in proximity to the substrate, an optical monitoring system generates a light beam and detects reflections of the light beam from the substrate, and a controller receives signals from the eddy current monitoring system and the optical monitoring system.

Abstract: A sensor for monitoring a conductive film in a substrate during chemical mechanical polishing generates an alternating magnetic field that impinges a substrate and induces eddy currents. The sensor can have a core, a first coil wound around a first portion of the core and a second coil wound around a second portion of the core. The sensor can be positioned on a side of the polishing surface opposite the substrate. The sensor can detect a phase difference between a drive signal and a measured signal.

Abstract: A polishing system can have a rotatable platen, a polishing pad secured to the platen, a carrier head to hold a substrate against the polishing pad, and an eddy current monitoring system including a coil or ferromagnetic body that extends at least partially through the polishing pad. A polishing pad can have a polishing layer and a coil or ferromagnetic body secured to the polishing layer. Recesses can be formed in a transparent window in the polishing pad.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a cluster tool configured to deposit a material onto a substrate surface by using one or more electroless, electrochemical plating, CVD and/or ALD processing chambers. In one aspect, a ruthenium-containing catalytic layer is formed. Embodiments of the invention provide a hybrid deposition system configured to deposit a seed layer on a substrate with an electroless process and to subsequently fill interconnect features on the substrate with an ECP cell. Other aspects provide an electroless deposition system configured to deposit a seed layer on a substrate, fill interconnect features on a substrate, or sequentially deposit both a seed layer and fill interconnect features on the substrate. One embodiment provides an electroless deposition system configured to form a capping layer over substrate interconnects. The system includes a vapor dryer for pre- and post-deposition cleaning of substrates as well as a brush box chamber for post-deposition cleaning.

Abstract: A polishing system can have a rotatable platen, a polishing pad secured to the platen, a carrier head to hold a substrate against the polishing pad, and an eddy current monitoring system including a coil or ferromagnetic body that extends at least partially through the polishing pad. A polishing pad can have a polishing layer and a coil or ferromagnetic body secured to the polishing layer. Recesses can be formed in a transparent window in the polishing pad.

Abstract: A polishing article for chemical mechanical polishing. The polishing article includes a generally elongated polishing sheet with a polishing surface. The polishing article is formed from a material that is substantially opaque, and has a discrete region extending substantially the length of the polishing sheet that is at least semi-transparent.

Abstract: A plurality of portions of a substrate are monitored during polishing at a first polishing station with an in-situ monitoring system. A plurality of thicknesses are determined based on measurements by the in-situ monitoring system, and the plurality of pressures to apply to the plurality of regions of the substrate are calculated in a closed-loop control system. However, if a representative thickness of the layer is less than a threshold thickness, calculation of the plurality of pressures by the closed-loop control system is halted and a plurality of predetermined pressures are applied to the plurality of regions of the substrate.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and apparatus are provided for planarizing a substrate surface. In one aspect, an article of manufacture is provided for polishing a substrate including polishing article comprising a body having at least a partially conductive surface adapted to polish the substrate and a mounting surface. A plurality of perforations may be formed in the polishing article for flow of material therethrough. In another aspect, a polishing article for polishing a substrate includes a body having a polishing surface and a conductive element disposed therein. The conductive element may have a contact surface that extends beyond a plane defined by the polishing surface. The polishing surface may have one or more pockets formed therein. The conductive element may be disposed in each of the polishing pockets.

Abstract: The polishing pad for a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus, and a method of making the same. The polishing pad has a covering layer with a polishing surface and a backing layer which is adjacent to the platen. A first opening in the covering layer with a first cross-sectional area and a second opening in the backing layer with a second, different cross-sectional area form an aperture through the polishing pad. A substantially transparent polyurethane plug is positioned in the aperture, and an adhesive material fixes the plug in the aperture.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus includes a platen to support a polishing pad, and a polishing head to hold a substrate against the polishing pad during processing. The substrate includes a thin film structure disposed on a wafer. A first optical system includes a first light source to generate a first light beam which impinges on a surface of the substrate, and a first sensor to measure light reflected from the surface of the substrate to generate a measured first interference signal. A second optical system includes a second light source to generate a second light beam which impinges on a surface of the substrate and a second sensor to measure light reflected from the surface of the substrate to generate a measured second interference signal. The second light beam has a wavelength different from the first light beam.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to implement techniques for monitoring polishing a substrate. Two or more data points are acquired, where each data point has a value affected by features inside a sensing region of a sensor and corresponds to a relative position of the substrate and the sensor as the sensing region traverses through the substrate. A set of reference points is used to modify the acquired data points. The modification compensates for distortions in the acquired data points caused by the sensing region traversing through the substrate. Based on the modified data points, a local property of the substrate is evaluated to monitor polishing.

Abstract: A sensor for monitoring a conductive film in a substrate during chemical mechanical polishing generates an alternating magnetic field that impinges a substrate and induces eddy currents. The sensor can have a core, a first coil wound around a first portion of the core and a second coil wound around a second portion of the core. The sensor can be positioned on a side of the polishing surface opposite the substrate. The sensor can detect a phase difference between a drive signal and a measured signal.