IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,622,211
Granted Patent B2
US 12,622,211 · App. 17/875,740 · Granted May 5, 2026

Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate

Inventors: Yaoying Zhong (Singapore, SG); Siew Kit Hoi (Singapore, SG)
Assignee: Applied Materials Inc.
H10P72/0616H10P72/0602H10P72/0606
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,622,211
App. No.
17/875,740
Granted
May 5, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate is provided herein. For example, the method comprises prior to processing a substrate, obtaining a first measurement at a first point along a surface of the substrate, in a process chamber processing the substrate in a presence of an electric field, subsequent to processing the substrate, obtaining a second measurement at the first point along the surface of the substrate, and determining whether substrate warpage occurred based upon analysis of the first measurement and the second measurement.

Claims (35)

1 . A method for processing a substrate, comprising:

prior to processing a substrate, obtaining a first measurement at a first point along a surface of the substrate;

in a process chamber processing the substrate in a presence of an electric field;

subsequent to processing the substrate, obtaining a second measurement at the first point along the surface of the substrate; and

determining whether substrate warpage occurred based upon analysis of the first measurement and the second measurement;

wherein obtaining the first measurement and the second measurement is performed using a laser displacement sensor comprising an emitter and a detector, and

wherein the laser displacement sensor is disposed adjacent to a slit valve position on the process chamber.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first measurement and the second measurement are based on a position of the emitter and a position of the detector relative to the substrate and a location of a reflected beam spot detected by the detector.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising obtaining a temperature measurement at the first point or a second point, different from the first point, wherein determining whether substrate warpage occurred is further based upon analysis of the temperature measurement.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising triggering a fault indication when substrate warpage is determined.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is made from at least one of aluminum, copper, or tantalum.

6 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that when executed by a processor perform a method for processing a substrate, comprising:

prior to processing a substrate, obtaining a first measurement at a first point along a surface of the substrate;

in a process chamber processing the substrate in a presence of an electric field;

subsequent to processing the substrate, obtaining a second measurement at the first point along the surface of the substrate; and

determining whether substrate warpage occurred based upon analysis of the first measurement and the second measurement;

wherein obtaining the first measurement and the second measurement is performed using a laser displacement sensor comprising an emitter and a detector, and

wherein the laser displacement sensor is disposed adjacent to a slit valve position on the process chamber.

7 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 6 , wherein the first measurement and the second measurement are based on a position of the emitter and a position of the detector relative to the substrate and a location of a reflected beam spot detected by the detector.

8 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 6 , further comprising obtaining a temperature measurement at the first point or a second point, different from the first point, wherein determining whether substrate warpage occurred is further based upon analysis of the temperature measurement.

9 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 6 , further comprising triggering a fault indication when substrate warpage is determined.

10 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 6 , wherein the substrate is made from at least one of aluminum, copper, or tantalum.

11 . An apparatus for processing a substrate, comprising:

a process chamber configured to process a substrate;

an apparatus configured to obtain measurements along a surface of the substrate; and

a controller configured to:

prior to processing the substrate, obtain a first measurement at a first point along the surface of the substrate;

in the process chamber processing the substrate in a presence of an electric field;

subsequent to processing the substrate, obtain a second measurement at the first point along the surface of the substrate; and

determine whether substrate warpage occurred based upon analysis of the first measurement and the second measurement;

wherein the apparatus for obtaining measurements along the surface of the substrate is a laser displacement sensor comprising an emitter and a detector, and

wherein the laser displacement sensor is disposed adjacent to a slit valve position on the process chamber.

12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first measurement and the second measurement are based on a position of the emitter and a position of the detector relative to the substrate and a location of a reflected beam spot detected by the detector.

13 . The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a temperature measurement apparatus that is configured to obtain a temperature measurement at the first point or a second point, different from the first point, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether substrate warpage occurred based on the temperature measurement.

14 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured to trigger a fault indication when substrate warpage is detected.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 6, 2022
From: APPLIED MATERIALS SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGY PTE. LTD.
To: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
Reel/Frame 060993/0039 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 11, 2022
From: ZHONG, YAOYING; HOI, SIEW KIT
To: APPLIED MATERIALS SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGY PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 060781/0774 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240038557A1 · Feb 1, 2024
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