U.S. patent application number 11/701401 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for feedback control of sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition processes.
This patent application is currently assigned to Applied Materials, Inc.. Invention is credited to Manuel Hernzndez, Amna Mohammed, Rong Pan, Alexander T. Schwarm, Arulkumar P. Shanmugasundram.
Application Number | 20070169694 11/701401 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27497089 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070169694 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schwarm; Alexander T. ; et
al. |
July 26, 2007 |
Feedback control of sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition
processes
Abstract
A method of film deposition in a sub-atmospheric chemical vapor
deposition (CVD) process includes (a) providing a model for
sub-atmospheric CVD deposition of a film that identifies one or
more film properties of the film and at least one deposition model
variable that correlates with the one or more film properties; (b)
depositing a film onto a wafer using a first deposition recipe
comprising at least one deposition recipe parameter that
corresponds to the at least one deposition variable; (c) measuring
a film property of at least one of said one or more film properties
for the deposited film of step (b); (d) calculating an updated
deposition model based upon the measured film property of step (c)
and the model of step (a); and (e) calculating an updated
deposition recipe based upon the updated model of step (d) to
maintain a target film property. The method can be used to provide
feedback to a plurality of deposition chambers or to control a film
property other than film thickness.
Inventors: |
Schwarm; Alexander T.;
(Austin, TX) ; Shanmugasundram; Arulkumar P.;
(Sunnyvale, CA) ; Pan; Rong; (Daly City, CA)
; Hernzndez; Manuel; (Sunnyvale, CA) ; Mohammed;
Amna; (Sunnyvale, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
(DC) WILMERHALE/APPLIED MATERIALS
60 State Street
Boston
MA
02109
US
|
Assignee: |
Applied Materials, Inc.
Santa Clara
CA
|
Family ID: |
27497089 |
Appl. No.: |
11/701401 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10174377 |
Jun 18, 2002 |
7201936 |
|
|
11701401 |
Feb 2, 2007 |
|
|
|
60298878 |
Jun 19, 2001 |
|
|
|
60349576 |
Oct 29, 2001 |
|
|
|
60366698 |
Mar 21, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
118/665 ;
118/715; 257/E21.525; 700/121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05B 19/19 20130101;
G05B 19/41865 20130101; C23C 16/52 20130101; G05B 2219/45031
20130101; G05B 19/00 20130101; Y02P 90/02 20151101; H01L 22/20
20130101; H01L 21/67253 20130101; G05B 2219/32053 20130101; Y02P
90/20 20151101; G05B 2219/32065 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
118/665 ;
700/121; 118/715 |
International
Class: |
G06F 19/00 20060101
G06F019/00; B05C 11/00 20060101 B05C011/00; C23C 16/00 20060101
C23C016/00 |
Claims
1. A sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition tool for deposition
of a film, comprising: a sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition
apparatus comprising a pressure chamber, a vacuum system, means for
heating a wafer and a gas delivery system; controlling means
capable of controlling an operating parameter of the deposition
process; and a controller operatively coupled to the controlling
means, the controller operating the controlling means to adjust the
operating parameter of the deposition process as a function of a
model for a film property, the model comprising: a deposition model
for sub-atmospheric CVD deposition of a film that identifies one or
more film properties of the film and at least one deposition model
variable that correlates with the one or more film properties.
2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the model defines a plurality of
regions on a wafer and identifies a deposition variable and a film
property for each of at least two regions of the wafer.
3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the operating parameter comprises a
parameter selected from the group consisting of deposition time,
wafer temperature, ozone flow rate, oxygen flow rate, reactive gas
flow rate, carrier gas flow rate, dopant gas flow rate, chamber
pressure and shower head spacing from the wafer.
4. The tool of claim 3, wherein the film property is selected from
the group consisting of film thickness, stress, refractive index,
dopant concentration, and extinction coefficient.
5. The tool of claim 3, wherein the model defines deposition of a
plurality of films onto a plurality of wafers in a plurality of
deposition chambers.
6. The tool of claim 5, wherein the model provides for independent
control of at least one operating parameter for each deposition
chamber.
7. The tool of claim 5, wherein model provides for common control
of at least one operating parameter for all deposition
chambers.
8. The tool of claim 5, wherein the deposition recipe of step (b)
in each chamber is the same.
9. The tool of claim 5, wherein the deposition recipe of step (b)
in each chamber is different.
10. The tool of claim 5, wherein the calculating step of step (e)
comprises calculating updated deposition recipes for each of the
plurality of deposition chambers.
11. The tool of claim 5, wherein the model provides for the effect
of tool idle time of the deposition process.
12. The tool of claim 11, wherein the model defines a first
deposition time when the idle time is more than a predetermined
period and a second deposition time when the idle time is less than
the predetermined period.
13. The tool of claim 1, wherein the model evaluates the
reliability of a measurement of a film property.
14. A computer readable medium comprising instructions being
executed by a computer, the instructions including a
computer-implemented software application for a sub-atmospheric
chemical vapor deposition process, the instructions for
implementing the process comprising: a) receiving data from a
sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition tool relating to the film
property of at least one wafer processed in the sub-atmospheric
chemical vapor deposition process; and b) calculating, from the
data of step (a), an updated deposition model, wherein the updated
deposition model is calculated by determining the difference
between an output of a film deposition model and the data of step
(a).
15. The medium of claim 14, further comprising: c) calculating,
using the updated model of step (b) and a target output value for
the film property, an updated deposition recipe.
16. The medium of claim 14, wherein the data of step (a) further
includes one or more deposition parameters selected from the group
consisting of deposition time, wafer temperature, ozone flow rate,
oxygen flow rate, reactive gas flow rate, carrier gas flow rate,
dopant gas flow rate, chamber pressure and shower head spacing from
the wafer.
17. The medium of claim 14, wherein the film property is selected
from the group consisting of film thickness, stress, refractive
index, dopant concentration, and extinction coefficient.
18. A sub-atmospheric chemical deposition tool, comprising: a)
modeling means for identifying one or more film properties of a
film and at least one deposition model variable that correlates
with the one or more film properties in a sub-atmospheric CVD
deposition process; b) means for depositing a film onto a wafer
using a first deposition recipe comprising at least one deposition
recipe parameter that corresponds to the at least one deposition
variable; c) means for measuring a film property of at least one of
said one or more film properties for the deposited film of step
(b); d) means for calculating an updated deposition model based
upon the measured film property of step (c) and the model of step
(a); and e) means for calculating an updated deposition recipe
based upon the updated model of step (d) to maintain a target film
property.
19. The sub-atmospheric CVD tool of claim 18, wherein the model
defines deposition of a plurality of films onto a plurality of
wafers in a plurality of deposition chambers.
20. The sub-atmospheric CVD tool of claim 19, wherein the model
provides for independent control of at least one deposition
parameter for at least two of said plurality of deposition
chambers.
21. The sub-atmospheric CVD tool of claim 19, wherein model
provides for common control of at least one deposition parameter
for at least two of said plurality of deposition chambers.
22. The sub-atmospheric CVD tool of claim 19, wherein the
deposition recipe of step (b) in each chamber is the same
23. The sub-atmospheric CVD tool of claim 19, wherein the
deposition recipe of step (b) in each chamber is different.
24. The sub-atmospheric CVD tool of claim 19, wherein the
calculating step of step (e) comprises calculating updated
deposition recipes for each of the plurality of deposition
chambers.
25. The sub-atmospheric CVD tool of claim 19, wherein the model
provides for the effect of tool idle time of the deposition
process.
26. The sub-atmospheric CVD tool of claim 25, wherein the model
defines a first deposition time when the idle time is more than a
predetermined period and a second deposition time when the idle
time is less than the predetermined period.
27. A computer-implemented apparatus for controlling film
deposition in a sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
process, comprising: a) modeling means for modeling a
sub-atmospheric CVD deposition of a film that identifies one or
more film properties of the film and at least one deposition model
variable that correlates with the one or more film properties; b)
deposition means for depositing a film onto a wafer using a first
deposition recipe comprising at least one deposition recipe
parameter that corresponds to the at least one deposition variable;
c) measuring means for determining a film property of at least one
of said one or more film properties for the deposited film of step
(b); and d) calculating means for determining an updated deposition
model based upon the measured film property of step (c) and the
model of step (a).
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) from provisional application Ser. No. 60/298,878 filed Jun.
19, 2001, which is incorporated by reference.
[0002] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) from provisional application Ser. No. 60/349,576 filed Oct.
29, 2001, which is incorporated by reference.
[0003] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) from provisional application Ser. No. 60/366,698, filed Mar.
21, 2002, which is incorporated by reference.
[0004] This application is a divisional application of and claims
priority from co-pending application Ser. No. 10/174,377, filed on
Jun. 18, 2002 and entitled "Feedback Control of Plasma-Enhanced
Chemical Vapor Deposition Process," which is related to co-pending
application filed on even date herewith and entitled "Feedback
Control of Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition Process,"
which is incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention generally relates to the process
control of thin film deposition using sub-atmospheric chemical
vapor deposition (SACVD) and more particularly to a method, medium
and apparatus for providing feedback control of the SACVD
deposition process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition is used in
semiconductor manufacturing to deposit thin films on substrates,
for example, to deposit a silicon dioxide film on a silicon wafer.
One use of sub-atmospheric CVD is in the deposition of pre-metal
dielectrics (PMD). Sub-atmospheric CVD has a longer processing time
than other forms of chemical vapor deposition, however, it has a
much greater capability to fill trenches that are etched into
wafers with very small dimensions. In these and other processes,
the deposited film properties, i.e., film thickness, chemical
homogeneity, and optical and mechanical properties, are important
to the final device properties.
[0007] In most applications, a layer is deposited over existing
features on a device. The excess coating is removed, or the
variation in the coating is reduced in a subsequent
chemical-mechanical deposition (CMP) step. The deposited film may
also have features that are created on the film using a lithography
process, followed by an etch process. Thin film deposition is an
inherently complex process, thereby making it hard to
simultaneously control film characteristics, such as optical and
electrical properties, stresses in the film, etc., while
maintaining uniform film thickness. Thin film deposition processes
typically "drift" over time, causing the deposited film to deviate
significantly from target values. Specifically, sub-atmospheric
chemical vapor deposition introduces both radial and azimuthal
thickness non-uniformity, both within and among wafers. While film
thickness non-uniformity can be addressed in subsequent processing
steps, the greater the deposition-induced non-uniformity, the more
difficult it is to achieve within-wafer thickness uniformity in
subsequent steps.
[0008] As microelectronics device feature sizes continue to shrink,
it is necessary to have tighter controls in fabrication to maintain
high yields. The semiconductor industry has developed run-to-run
control of the various processing steps in a semiconductor
fabrication process in order to reduce over process output
variation from target. In run-to-run control, a product recipe with
respect to a particular process is modified between machine runs so
as to minimize process drift, shift, and variability. Post-process
measurements are made periodically and are used along with
empirical process models and drift compensation techniques to
suggest new equipment settings for the next run. The development of
feedback control has been largely empirical, based upon
experimentally observed correlations between input and output
measurements.
[0009] There has been some investigation into feedback control of
plasma etch and deposition processes, both experimental and
theoretical. Implementation of process control in these operations
has been limited due to unavailability of suitable integrated
metrology tools, limited process understanding and non-automated
operational practices. Improvements in advanced process control and
reduction of run-to-run variability in a sub-atmospheric chemical
vapor deposition process are thus desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and
medium for process control of sub-atmospheric chemical vapor
deposition of a film onto a surface of a substrate, for example, a
semiconductor wafer, in order to provide predetermined desirable
film properties and improve wafer-to-wafer and within-wafer
uniformity of film properties. The present invention uses a model
(which can be implemented as a single model or multiple models) of
the film deposition process to predict film deposition rate, film
thickness uniformity and/or other film properties across the wafer
surface. Deviations from the predicted outcome are used to update
the model and set new deposition recipe parameters, which feed back
into the process to enhance process results.
[0011] The use of multiple wafer regions in the deposition model
that defines the deposited film (as contemplated by one or more
embodiments of the present invention) provides greater control over
the cross-film thickness. Furthermore, the methods, apparatus and
mediums of the present invention (in one or more embodiments
thereof) provide a model that distinguishes between depositions in
different deposition chambers of the tool and between deposition
parameters that are independently or commonly controlled for each
chamber, thereby providing a better approximation of the tool
behavior of each chamber. The methods, apparatus and mediums of the
present invention (in one or more embodiments thereof also provide
a model that defines the relationship between the deposition model
variables and film properties other than film thickness, allowing
control of the chemical, optical and/or material properties of the
thin film. In addition, the methods, apparatus and mediums of the
present invention (in one or more embodiments thereof) provide
models that better approximate tool behavior by accounting for
effects such as tool idle time, the effect of earlier-processed
wafers on the current wafer, or the reliability of a value for a
measured film quality. These and other aspects of the present
invention allow for better estimation of tool behavior and the
prediction of optimal deposition recipes for achieving a target
output, thus overcoming deficiencies of the conventional
technology.
[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, a method of film
deposition in a sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
process includes:
[0013] a) providing a model for sub-atmospheric CVD deposition of a
film that identifies one or more film properties of the film and at
least one deposition model variable that correlates with the one or
more film properties;
[0014] b) depositing a film onto a wafer using a first deposition
recipe comprising at least one deposition recipe parameter that
corresponds to the at least one deposition variable;
[0015] c) measuring a film property of at least one of said one or
more film properties for the deposited film of step (b);
[0016] d) calculating an updated deposition model based upon the
measured film property of step (c) and the model of step (a);
and
[0017] e) calculating an updated deposition recipe based upon the
updated model of step (d) to maintain a target film property.
[0018] By "deposition recipe" it is meant a set of process
characteristics or parameters used to deposit a film in a
deposition process. One or more of the recipe parameters are used
or varied to control or influence the outcome of the deposition
process. A recipe parameter corresponds or maps to a deposition
model variable when it is a value selected for the deposition
variable.
[0019] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the
step of providing a model includes:
[0020] (f) depositing a film in a sub-atmospheric CVD process on at
least one wafer in a deposition step using a deposition recipe
comprising at least one deposition recipe parameter that
corresponds to a deposition model variable;
[0021] (g) measuring a film property for each of the at least one
wafers after the deposition of step (f);
[0022] (h) recording the deposition parameter and measured film
property for each of the at least one wafers on a recordable
medium; and
[0023] (i) fitting the data to a linear or non-linear curve that
establishes a relationship between the film property of a region of
the film and the deposition model variable.
[0024] In another aspect of the invention, a sub-atmospheric
chemical vapor deposition tool for deposition of a film includes a
sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition apparatus comprising a
pressure chamber, a vacuum system, means for heating a wafer and a
gas delivery system; controlling means capable of controlling an
operating (recipe) parameter of the deposition process; and a
controller operatively coupled to the controlling means, the
controller operating the controlling means to adjust the operating
parameter of the deposition process as a function of a model for a
film property. The model includes a deposition model for
sub-atmospheric CVD deposition of a film that identifies one or
more film properties of the film and at least one deposition model
variable that correlates with the one or more film properties.
[0025] In another aspect of the invention, a computer readable
medium including instructions being executed by a computer, the
instructions including a computer-implemented software application
for a sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition process is
provided. The instructions for implementing the process include a)
receiving data from a sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition
tool relating to the film property of at least one wafer processed
in the sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition process; and b)
calculating, from the data of step (a), an updated deposition
model, wherein the updated deposition model is calculated by
determining the difference between an output of a film deposition
model and the data of step (a).
[0026] In still another aspect of the invention, a sub-atmospheric
chemical deposition tool includes:
[0027] a) modeling means for identifying one or more film
properties of a film and at least one deposition model variable
that correlates with the one or more film properties in a
sub-atmospheric CVD deposition process;
[0028] b) means for depositing a film onto a wafer using a first
deposition recipe comprising at least one deposition recipe
parameter that corresponds to the at least one deposition
variable;
[0029] c) means for measuring a film property of at least one of
said one or more film properties for the deposited film of step
(b);
[0030] d) means for calculating an updated deposition model based
upon the measured film property of step (c) and the model of step
(a); and
[0031] e) means for calculating an updated deposition recipe based
upon the updated model of step (d) to maintain a target film
property.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] Various objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention can be more fully appreciated with reference to the
following detailed description of the invention when considered in
connection with the following figures, in which like reference
numerals identify like elements. The following drawings are for the
purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting of
the invention, the scope of which is set forth in the claims that
follow.
[0033] FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a sub-atmospheric chemical
vapor deposition apparatus, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the
reaction chamber of the apparatus, for use in one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram generally illustrating model
development.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration showing the relationship
between input and output variables in one or more embodiments of
the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 4 schematic illustration of a wafer showing regions
defined for thickness profile model.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of the feedback loop used in a
SACVD deposition operation, as contemplated by one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a computer system that includes
tool representation and access control for use in one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a floppy disk that may store
various portions of the software according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] Sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition (SACVD) has been
widely used in microelectronics fabrication to deposit films, such
as a SiO.sub.2, at low temperatures. In the SACVD process, reactive
gases are introduced into the reaction chamber at sub-atmospheric
pressures. The reactive gases flow over a heated wafer (e.g.,
300-700.degree. C.) where the desired chemical reactions occur and
the product is deposited. FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of an
exemplary SACVD system 100. The system 100 includes a chamber 120,
a vacuum system 130, a wafer holder 160 for supporting wafer 165, a
gas or fluid delivery system 150 for introduction of reactive gases
and a heater 168 for heating the wafer holder 160. Reactive gases
are introduced into a reaction chamber 120 through inlet 125 of the
gas delivery system 150. In order to promote a uniform
distribution, the reactive gases typically are introduced into the
chamber at a source positioned opposite or a distance from the
wafer 165. The heated wafer holder 160 may be rotated for further
uniformity of deposition, as indicated by arrow 170. The gas
delivery system may include heating and cooling means (not shown)
for maintaining a constant gas and chamber temperature. Wafers are
transferred into and out of chamber 120 by a robot blade (not
shown) through an insertion/removal opening (not shown) in the side
of chamber 120. Two or more chambers may be connected. In at least
some SACVD systems, the chambers share reactive gases, but have
individual wafer temperature and showerhead controls.
[0041] FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the SACVD reaction chamber
illustrating an exemplary delivery system for the reactive gases
used in the SACVD process. The gases are introduced through inlet
125 into a heated gas distribution head (showerhead) 175, which has
outlets 180 at spaced intervals. As shown by arrows 185 in FIG. 1B,
the reactive gases then flow over the heated wafer, where they are
deposited as a thin film. The elevated temperatures of the wafer
promote reaction of the reactive gases and deposition of the
product film.
[0042] The term "target output" represents the desired processing
outcome of the sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition process.
Some tolerance is built into the profile, so that the profile
includes the target value and acceptable standard deviations
therefrom. Film thicknesses or other measured film property falling
within the standard deviation would not require updating of the
deposition recipe. Thus, use of the term "target output" includes
the target value and the standard deviation therefrom.
[0043] The term "wafer" is used in a general sense to include any
substantially planar object onto which a film is deposited. Wafers
include monolith structures or structures having one or more
layers, thin films or other features already deposited thereon.
"Thin film" and "film" may be used interchangeably, unless
otherwise indicated.
[0044] An exemplary SACVD deposition system includes two or more
chambers in which deposition of material occurs. The chambers can
carry out the same process or different processes; some CVD systems
are based on a series of operations, while some use parallel
processing schemes. The SACVD chambers may thus process wafers in
parallel, that is, each deposition chamber deposits a film on a
wafer at the same time. The deposition recipe for each chamber may
be the same or different. In one or more embodiments of the present
invention, the chambers share some processing parameters while
others are independently controlled. For example, gas flow of
reactant gases is common to both (or all), but substrate
temperature and showerhead spacing are independently controlled in
each chamber.
[0045] In one or more embodiments, the process uses an SACVD system
having twin chambers, which share the same gas distribution and
thus have the same gas flow rates but which can have different
heater temperatures and spacings (distance between the shower head
and the substrate). In one or more embodiments, the SACVD chamber
has three sets of twin chambers for a total of six chambers, such
as the Producer.TM. available from Applied Materials in Santa
Clara, Calif. The present invention is described with reference to
SACVD, however is it readily apparent that other low pressure CVD
processes are also contemplated. The present invention also is
applicable to CVD systems using either a batch process or inline
process. An inline process refers to a process in which all wafers
going through a system go through a sequence of steps and those
steps may be carried out in different chambers, whereas a batch
process refers to a process in which a wafer goes to any one of the
chambers in the system, where the entire deposition is then carried
out.
[0046] The SACVD processes described above may be modeled to
provide a format for improving the deposition process. The process
model should accurately predict the thin film characteristics
(output) for a given set of input conditions. The run-to-run film
characteristics are improved or maintained by adjusting the
deposition model during sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition
to correct for unmodeled effects or to correct for drift in the
deposition process conditions. Run-to-run control can be defined as
wafer-to-wafer or lot-to-lot, depending upon the processes being
controlled and the available methods for monitoring output.
[0047] According to one or more embodiments of the present
invention, an initial model is developed based upon knowledge of
the film deposition process, as is shown in a flow diagram (FIG.
2). An initial understanding of the system is acquired in step 200,
which is used to design and run a design of experiments (DOE) of
step 210. The DOE desirably is designed to establish the
relationship between or among variables that have a strong and
predictable impact on the processing output one wishes to control,
e.g., film thickness or some other film property. The DOE provides
data relating to process parameters and process outcome, which is
then loaded to the advanced process control system in step 220. The
advanced process control system may be a controller or computer
that uses the data to create and update the model. The model can be
represented as raw data that reflects the system, or it can be
represented by equations, for example multiple input-multiple
output linear, quadratic and general non-linear equations, which
describe the relationship among the variables of the system.
Process requirements such as output targets and process
specification are determined by the user in step 225, which are
combined with the DOE data to generate a working model in step
230.
[0048] In developing the model, film properties of interest 302 are
identified and outcome determinative processing model variables 304
are selected for the model, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 3.
The specific film properties of interest may vary depending upon
the type of film deposited, and thus the film properties of
interest 302 and processing model variables 304 of FIG. 3 are shown
by way of example.
[0049] Regardless of the type of film substance for which a model
is created, to obtain DOE data, an experiment is run which perturbs
or varies the values of the processing variables of interest about
a center point (or median value). One or more processing variables
can be varied. The film properties of interest in the resultant
film are measured for each combination of inputs. Data can be
acquired empirically, by carrying out a series of experiments over
a range of values of the processing variables. The data is fit to
the appropriate curve (linear or non-linear) to define the
model.
[0050] Undoped silica glass (USG) is commonly deposited by SACVD
and a model development is discussed below with specific reference
to USG, although it is readily apparent that the methodology can be
used to develop models for any other SACVD film deposition process.
In particular, SACVD is well suited for the deposition of doped
silica glass, such as boron- and phosphorous-doped silica.
[0051] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the
film properties of interest for USG film include one or more of
film thickness, film thickness uniformity, stress, wet-etch rate
ratio (WERR), and refractive index (RI). In one or more embodiments
of the present invention, the model is developed for two or more
film properties, for example, the model describes the effect of
process variables on film thickness (deposition rate) and film
stress, or on film thickness and refractive index. Process
variables for deposition of the USG film include one or more of
ozone flow rate, reactive gas flow rate, carrier gas flow rate,
chamber pressure, wafer temperature, and showerhead spacing
(distance) from the substrate, as well as total deposition time.
Deposition time is controlled by the time of reactive gas flow. For
the deposition of USG films, reactive gases typically include ozone
(O.sub.3), oxygen (O.sub.2), and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) or,
alternatively, silane (SiH.sub.4).
[0052] Models for other film deposition systems can be similarly
developed using the processing variables and film properties
specific to those films. For example, when doped silica films are
modeled and controlled in a manner similar to that described for
USG films, dopant concentration is included in the model.
[0053] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a
sub-atmospheric CVD process for deposition of boron-phosphosilicate
glass is modeled. The level of dopant concentration is controlled
by adjusting the flow rates of triethylborate (TEB) for boron and
triethylphosphate (TEPO) for phosphorus. Gas flow rates for these
dopant gases control the dopant level of boron and phosphorus
incorporated into the final film. Processing variables include
total deposition time, wafer temperature, ozone flow rate, TEOS,
TEB, and TEPO gas flow rates, oxygen flow rate, nitrogen flow rate,
chamber pressure and spacing. Process outputs (film properties)
include film thickness and thickness uniformity, WERR, refractive
index, stress, weight percent boron and weight percent phosphorus.
An additional feature of the deposition of doped silica glass is
that a change in spacing distance in order to individually control
film thickness in the individual chambers also induces a change in
the dopant concentration of the deposited film, i.e., the factors
are coupled. Thus, if one determines that the two chambers do not
produce matched film thicknesses, merely changing the spacings may
result in films for which dopant specifications are not met unless
TEB and TEPO flow rates are also adjusted. The model accounts for
the relatedness between spacing and dopant concentration. The
resultant interactions between the inputs and outputs requires the
solution of an optimization problem for both input variables to
determine the recipe which provides output predictions (targeted
output) which best match the desired values of all film
characteristics. Optimization is discussed in greater detail
below.
[0054] On the Producer.TM. system from Applied Materials, gas
distribution (e.g., gas composition and flow rate) is common to
both twin chambers of the SACVD system. Deposition time can be
controlled individually for each chamber by controlling the wafer
temperature. In one or more embodiments of the present invention,
the model can distinguish between the two types of processing
variables (individual and common) and account for them accordingly.
As discussed herein below, the model permits simultaneous
optimization of more than one variable.
[0055] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the
model defines two or more different film property, e.g., film
thickness, regions of the wafer. As is shown in FIG. 4, a wafer is
divided into annular regions 401 through 405 of varying width and
area. The number, size and location of the regions also can vary
and may be selected based upon any number of factors, including the
variability or uniformity of the film property in a given region of
the wafer. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, it
is desirable that the film property in any given region be
substantially uniform, particularly in those cases where, for
example, a number of wafer thickness measurements within a region
are averaged to define the region-averaged thickness profile. Thus,
at the edges of the wafer where edge effects can be dramatic,
narrow regions encompassing only the outer portions of the wafer
may be selected. Near the center of the wafer where deposition
effects may be subtler, a larger region may be defined. In one or
more embodiments of the present invention, the regions are defined
such that all azimuthal variation is averaged out. In one or more
embodiments of the present invention, the use of an input value is
contemplated to correct and account for azimuthal variation. Film
property measurements taken within a region of the wafer are
averaged to give the average film property value for that
region.
[0056] By way of example (with reference to film thickness), the
five wafer regions of FIG. 4 can be defined as shown in Table 1 for
a wafer that is 95 mm in diameter. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Region
401 402 403 404 405 Radius, mm 5-40 40-60 60-80 80-92 92-95
With the regions defined as in Table 1, all thin film thickness
measurement points with a radial distance from the wafer center
greater than 5 mm, but less than 40 mm, are averaged together to
give the thickness of region 401. The thicknesses for all other
regions are similarly calculated, but region 405 includes all
points greater than 92 mm and up to and including 95 mm. Thus, a
film is deposited by sub-atmospheric CVD and, based upon
post-deposition thickness measurements and deposition time and/or
other processing variables, a film thickness and deposition rate
can be determined for each region.
[0057] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a film
property of interest is film thickness and one of the processing
variables is deposition time. If the deposition time is manipulated
through the time of reactive gas flow, and the gas flow is common
to two chambers, then another variable can be used to account for
differences in deposition rate among the chambers. Since there are
separate heating sources for each chamber in the SACVD system, the
substrate heating temperature and heating time in each chamber can
be varied as a means for controlling final film thickness and as a
means for adjusting differences in film thickness between
deposition chambers. This provides the ability to control thin film
final thickness even in the presence of differences in the chamber
performances. Varying the spacing between the showerhead and the
wafer also can control the film thickness, in this case,
independently for each chamber. While film thickness is the
measured output, it is appreciated that the information can be
represented as a film deposition rate (film thickness per unit
time) or as a film thickness profile (film thickness per unit
area).
[0058] While film thickness and thickness uniformity are typically
the tool behaviors being modeled, models for other film properties,
such as stress, WERR (a measurement of film density) and RI, can be
developed by manipulating deposition time, spacing and/or other
processing variables. Multiple models for different film properties
can be developed and used to describe the deposition process.
[0059] Once data from DOE runs are obtained, regression methods (or
any suitable method) may be used to determine a model that obeys
the behavior of the process within the range of inputs that were
used in the experiments. In one or more embodiments of the present
invention, the model for an i-chamber system is defined as shown in
eq. (1), Film_thickness.sub.ij=DR.sub.ijtime (1) where i is the ith
chamber of CVD tool, time is the deposition time,
Film_thickness.sub.ij is the film thickness in region j of the
wafer in chamber i, and DR.sub.ij is the deposition rate for
annular region j of chamber i, where no Einstein summation has been
used for the indices. The model is determined for each region of
the wafer and together the models define a film thickness profile
across the wafer. Thus, the model can predict a film thickness
profile by entering hypothetical parameters into the model
equation. In use, a measured film thickness profile is used to
further refine the model in order to obtain updated parameters and
thus an updated process recipe.
[0060] The processing variable for a basic model is typically
process time; however, additional deposition model variables can be
included in the model. The relationship can be expressed generally
as: Q.sub.ij=g(x.sub.1, x.sub.2. . . . x.sub.n) (2a)
[0061] where Q is some film property in region j on a wafer in
chamber i that is the result of a processing run; g( ) is some
linear or nonlinear function of x.sub.1, x.sub.2 . . . . x.sub.n
which are recipe parameters or tool state parameters that affect
the resulting film property Q. If the film property of interest is
thickness, the function g( ) represents the deposition rate as a
function of recipe parameters or tool state parameters. The
thickness for each region j of wafer in chamber i would then be
derived by multiplying the deposition rate by the deposition time
as shown below. Film_thickness.sub.ij=g(x.sub.1,x.sub.2, . . .
,x.sub.n).sub.ijtime (2b)
[0062] Models including additional processing parameters are shown
in eqs. (2c)-(2e).
Film_thickness.sub.ij=(c.sub.1ijspacing.sub.i+c.sub.2ijO.sub.3.sub.--flow-
.sub.i+c.sub.3ijTEOS_flow+c.sub.4ij)time (2c)
Stress.sub.i=(b.sub.1ispacing.sub.i+b.sub.2iO.sub.3.sub.--flow.sub.i+b.su-
b.3iTEOS_flow+b.sub.4i) (2d)
RI.sub.i=(a.sub.1ispacing.sub.i+a.sub.2i+O.sub.3.sub.--flow.sub.i+a.sub.3-
iTEOS_flow+a.sub.4i) (2e) where c.sub.1ij through c.sub.4ij are the
parameters which provide the contribution of the particular
processing variable to the film thickness in region j for a wafer
in the i.sup.th chamber; b.sub.1i through b.sub.4i are the
parameters which provide the contribution of the particular
processing variable to the film stress for the wafer in the
i.sup.th chamber, and a.sub.1i through a.sub.4i are the parameters
which provide the contribution of the particular processing
variable to the refractive index of the film to the wafer in the
i.sup.th chamber. In one or more embodiments of the present
invention, the film property, e.g., film thickness, is modeled in
defined annular regions on the wafer. In one or more embodiments of
the present invention, film properties, e.g., stress and refractive
index, are modeled for the entire film. The process variables of
equations (2c)-(2e) are exemplary; other process variables can be
used to define tool behavior with respect to the noted film
properties.
[0063] The exemplary models provided above include common process
variables that affect both chambers and independent process
variables that affect each chamber individually. The models can
describe tool behavior in one or more regions of the film
corresponding to different annular regions of the wafer. This
allows the controller to perform controls on multiple film regions
simultaneously. This multiple region control provides control of
within wafer uniformity. Thus, the model can account for an
unlimited number of processing variables and permits their
optimization while taking into consideration whether they affect
all or only individual deposition chambers, or whether they affect
different regions of the film differently.
[0064] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the
model may be further augmented to include the effect of the tool
state. The tool state takes into consideration the effect of wear
and use on the tool, here, a SACVD apparatus. This function is
typically expressed as a scaling factor that takes the tool state
into consideration. Factors that can affect tool state include idle
time (time since last film deposition) and frequency of cleaning
(or number of wafers deposited between cleaning or other shut down
operation, such as preventative maintenance).
[0065] The first wafers coated after the tool has been idle
typically have a different deposition rate than subsequently coated
wafers, a situation known as the "first wafer effect". In one or
more embodiments of the present invention, the model is further
modified to account for the effect of tool idle time on film
deposition rate. The model accounts for such variations on
deposition rate by monitoring the idle time of the system and
adjusting the deposition rate accordingly. Thus, a statement is
placed within the model, which reflects the effect of idle time on
processing, such as: If (idle time)>5 min Deposition time=x; (3)
Else Deposition time=y. This captures the idle time dependence
within the model. In one or more embodiments of the present
invention, the model has a more gradual change from one deposition
rate to another and is given by the following equation:
DR.sub.idle=DR.sub.no.sub.--.sub.idle(d.sub.1tan.sup.-1(d.sub.2idle_time+-
d.sub.3)+d.sub.4) (4) where DR.sub.idle is the deposition rate with
the effect of idle time, DR.sub.no.sub.--.sub.idle is the
deposition rate when there is no idle time, d.sub.1 and d.sub.4
determines the maximum change in deposition rate which is caused by
idle time, d.sub.2 determines the rate at which this change occurs,
and d.sub.3 determines at what idle time the change in deposition
rate begins to be significant. In the general case, the effect of
idle time on deposition rate can be given by the following
equation:
DR.sub.idle=xf(DR.sub.no.sub.--.sub.idle,idle_time,x.sub.1X.sub.2,
. . . x.sub.n) (5) where f( ) is some function which describes how
the deposition rate is a function of the deposition rate when there
is no idle time, the idle time, and other past or current process
parameters related to the controller, tool state, or wafer state,
here denoted by x.sub.1,x.sub.2, . . . , x.sub.n.
[0066] The "first wafer effect" is a member of a broader class of
events, in which a single wafer measurement differs significantly
from previous and subsequent measurements run on a specific tool or
resource and, as such, does not represent an accurate
representation of the process tool during normal operation.
Accordingly, when these measurements are used in a feedback control
system, this erroneous information may cause the system performance
to deteriorate. These sudden changes can be the result of abrupt
changes in the processing equipment, such as starting up the
process after the system has been idle for a time, or it can be due
to processing errors, such as an error in the metrology system.
Since these sudden changes do not accurately reflect the subsequent
behavior of the process tool, a methodology is used to evaluate the
reliability of the measurement.
[0067] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a
methodology is provided within the model for assessing the
reliability of the measurement. The methodology (i) estimates the
intrinsic variation in the process, (ii) determines when a recent
measurement is outside normal operating variation and, if so, marks
the data as suspicious, and (iii) ignores the data until a trend is
determined from subsequent data. This methodology allows the system
to be sensitive to changes that occur over more than one wafer, but
also provides the system with robustness over metrology failures or
situations similar to the first wafer effect.
[0068] Once a process model is available, the model can be used to
calculate an optimal set of recipe parameters in order to deposit a
uniform film to a desired thickness. Conversely, using models such
as those just described, a prediction for region-averaged film
thickness can be calculated given the deposition time and any other
variables that are measured or varied. By individually optimizing
for the regions j of the wafer, greater control over the total
surface is attainable. Thus, greater within wafer film uniformity
is achieved.
[0069] An exemplary optimization method, which can be used in
determining an updated model (based on the differences between
measured and predicted values for a target output) for determining
an updated deposition recipe, solves the equation: min x .times.
.times. f .function. ( y sp , g .function. ( x ) ) ( 6 ) ##EQU1##
where x is a vector of recipe parameters and other processing
parameters corresponding to the deposition recipe; g(x) is the
model for the SACVD process which predicts the film properties
based on a recipe and measurements related to tool state; y.sup.sp
is a vector of the desired average region film thicknesses and/or
other controlled film properties; and f(y.sup.sp,g(x)) is some
function which is meant to compensate for the deviation between the
model predictions g(x) and the desired values y.sup.sp. The updated
model is then used to determine an updated deposition recipe.
[0070] Thus, the optimization method suggests that the model need
not correct for 100% of the deviation from predicted values. A
function may also be used, as contemplated by one or more
embodiments of the present invention, to reflect uncertainty in the
measured or calculated parameters, or to "damp" the effect of
changing recipe parameters too quickly or to too great an extent.
It is possible, for example, that without this "damping" effect the
controller overcompensates for the measured deviations thereby
necessitating another adjustment to react to the overcompensation.
This leads to oscillations that may take several runs before the
final, optimized conditions are realized.
[0071] Based upon this control method, the post-deposition film
thickness is measured and the difference between the predicted
thickness and the final (i.e., actual) thickness is determined.
Other controlled film properties are measured, as needed by the
model. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the
film property is measured on a lot-to-lot basis. For example,
dopant concentration in doped silica glass can be measured on a
lot-to lot basis since it is often difficult to determine dopant
level in-line. In one or more embodiments of the present invention,
the reliability of the data is assessed before the data is used in
updating the model.
[0072] The error in prediction, also known as a bias, can then be
linearly added into the model such that the actual final thickness
more closely matches the predicted (and typically targeted) final
thickness. This bias is added to each region j of wafer in chamber
i, which is modeled as is shown in the following equation:
Film_thickness.sub.ij=g(x.sub.1,x.sub.2, . . .
x.sub.n).sub.ijtime+e.sub.ij (7) where e.sub.ij is the bias term,
which arises due to the difference between the predicted and actual
amount deposited for region j of wafer in chamber i. The process of
linearly updating a model with bias terms based upon the difference
between a model prediction and an actual measurement is part of at
least some feedback control in one or more embodiments of the
present invention.
[0073] Instead of (and/or, in addition to) use of the
aforementioned bias, one or more embodiments of the present
invention contemplate that an updated recipe can be calculated to
optimize the available recipe parameters and to drive the
predictions to a target value. The recipe parameters are changed
such that the film thickness is made constant even though the
deposition rate may be varying. A methodology that automatically
changes the recipe to achieve consistent film thickness not only
improves the consistency of the resultant film thickness, but also
improves the productivity of the tool, since the system is subject
to less frequent down time for reconditioning. This consistent film
thickness then improves the yield of the resultant product.
[0074] Process model development and optimization are carried out
with reference to a specific deposition system. That is, conditions
that effect the thin film characteristics are specific to the type
of thin film being deposited and the tool used for deposition. It
is recognized that many other films are and can be deposited using
SACVD, and that models for their deposition can be similarly
developed using the methodology and guidelines set forth herein. In
one or more embodiments of the present invention, it is
contemplated that a separate model (or at least a supplement to a
composite model) is created for each thin film that is deposited.
Alternatively, a model may be developed in reference to a
previously developed model. This model may be product specific and
take the original model and scale it based upon the differences
between the products.
[0075] An example of the use of an initial model developed as
described herein above to control the run-to-run average thickness
and the thickness uniformity of the deposition process and to
provide a feedback loop for updating the deposition recipe is shown
schematically in FIG. 5. Briefly, one or more wafers is processed
according to a first deposition recipe. The actual number of wafers
depends on the complexity of the model and can be about 10, or as
many as 20-30 or more. A thickness measurement is taken across the
deposited film to obtain a film thickness profile, which is
compared to the predicted film thickness profile calculated by the
model. If the measured film thickness profile indicates deviation
from the predicted results, those deviations are used to update the
model to better reflect the behavior of the processing tool. The
updated model is then used in a feedback loop to progressively
match the behavior of the processing tool and to optimize the
recipe so as to improve or maintain within wafer film thickness
uniformity.
[0076] According to the processing flow diagram in FIG. 5, initial
processing conditions (e.g., an initial tool state and initial
wafer state) are identified that will provide a desired film
deposition profile in step 500. The initial conditions may be
determined empirically or by using the processing model of one or
more embodiments of the present invention. If a processing model is
used, a controller can use this model to calculate step times and
processing parameters (i.e., to set the recipe for one or more
incoming wafers) to deposit a film having a target (in some cases,
a flat) profile on an incoming profile with a desired thickness as
shown in step 510. Thin films are deposited according to the
initial deposition recipe in the SACVD tool at step 520. The
thickness of the deposited film is measured and deviation from the
predicted thickness is determined in step 530. In step 540 it is
determined whether the deviation between the predicted and observed
behavior exceeds an established tolerance. If the deviation is
within acceptable ranges, no changes are made to the model and the
recipe is unchanged (step 550). If the deviation is outside
acceptable limits, then this information is marked to trigger a
change in the model as described in step 560 and this information
is fed back to the model in step 570 and thus into the controller
where the deposition recipe is optimized according to an updated
model that takes the deviation from the predicted value into
consideration. The deposition step can be repeated and further
updates of the deposition recipe are possible.
[0077] As is the case in most feedback systems, the process
variables that are measured on-line (in this case with an
integrated metrology unit on the tool) are updated in the model
based upon the error between the prediction and the actual
measurement. In the case of SACVD-processed films, one or more
embodiments of the present invention contemplate that both
uniformity and thickness are measured on-line and are used for
updating the process model. Other controlled film properties can be
measured on-line or off-line. In some cases these measurements
would be performed on a lot-to-lot basis. That is, upon completion
of the lot (usually 25 wafers) the wafers are brought to an
external metrology tool where several wafers of the lot are
measured.
[0078] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, film
properties, e.g., stress and refractive index, are not measured and
are handled in much the same way output constraints are handled in
model predictive control. The use of output constraints in mode
predictive control can be seen in the following optimization
relationship: min x .times. .times. f .function. ( y sp , g
.function. ( x ) ) .times. .times. s . t . .times. h .function. ( x
) .ltoreq. 0 , ( 8 ) ##EQU2## where h(x) is some constraint that is
placed on the prediction of an unmeasured output. In one or more
embodiments of the present invention, output constraints for the
SACVD tool are applied to control the prediction of stress and
refractive index. This optimization formulation constrains the
prediction of the model to be within some limit, or set of limits,
while still finding recipe parameters which yield the desired
thickness and uniformity. Thus, as long as the recipe parameters
are within stated maximum and minimum values, it is assumed that
constrained output values are within allowable maximum and minimum
values.
[0079] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a
feedback control methodology combines the chambers into a single
model using the average of the tool states for each of the
chambers. The single model would use the feedback approach
described above to apportion the bias adjustment across the
different chambers in some predetermined way.
[0080] When multiple process tools perform in series, also known as
being run within a module, the performance of one tool can have a
strong effect on the performance of subsequent tools. Accordingly,
the performance of subsequent tools may be optimized by adjusting
the performance of previous tools. For the specific case of ILD
CVD, the standard way of performing the task is to deposit a film
that has the most uniform film possible. Then, the ILD CMP is
tasked with removing a certain amount of this film with as uniform
a removal rate as possible. Unfortunately, the CMP removal profile
is not as uniform as the deposition profile from the CVD tool.
However, by manipulating the profile which results from the CVD
tool, the shortcomings of the CMP tool can be addressed by
providing an incoming profile which alleviates the resulting
non-uniformities caused by the CMP tool.
[0081] Also, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, a
feedback control scheme uses the final thickness measurements to
distribute feedback individually to all of the chambers. Because
each chamber can be can be treated individually, the tool state,
i.e., cleaning frequency and idle time, can be included in the
model and feedback can be specific to the chamber and deposition
recipe. This feedback control scheme is particularly useful when
different deposition recipes are being carried out in each chamber
or when drift varies between chambers. The ability to separately
model each chamber provides a greater of degree processing
flexibility, since it allows one to change the processing recipe in
one chamber (perhaps because film properties are drifting) while
keeping the processing recipe at the remaining chamber unchanged
(perhaps where film properties are within target ranges). When
changes to the processing recipe are made to only one chamber,
chamber-specific processing parameters are adjusted.
[0082] Feedback and feedforward control algorithms are constructed
for use in the above control process based on the above models
using various methods. The algorithms may be used to optimize
parameters using various methods, such as recursive parameter
estimation. Recursive parameter estimation is used in situations
such as these, where it is desirable to update the model on line at
the same time as the input-output data is received. Recursive
parameter estimation is well suited for making decisions on line,
such as adaptive control or adaptive predictions. For more details
about the algorithms and theories of identification, see Ljung L.,
System Identification--Theory for the User, Prentice Hall, Upper
Saddle River, N.J. 2nd edition, 1999.
[0083] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the
deposition recipe may be updated in discrete increments or steps
defined in the algorithms of the model. Also, in one or more
embodiments of the present invention, the updated recipes may be
determined by interpolation to the appropriate parameters.
[0084] Additional apparatus utilized to implement the feedforward
and feedback loop include tools for measuring a film property,
e.g., a film thickness measurement (metrology) tool to provide
thickness data needed to calculate film deposition rate. The tool
may be positioned relative to the SACVD apparatus so as to provide
in-line measurements, or it may be located remote from the
apparatus. The tool may use optical, electrical, acoustic or
mechanical measurement methods. A suitable thickness measurement
device is available from Nanometrics (Milpitas, Calif.) or Nova
Measuring Instruments (Phoenix, Ariz.). Other tools may be
integrated into the system for the measurement of film properties
such as trench depth, dopant concentration, refractive index, or
any other measurable film property that is modeled and controlled.
The measurement is made wafer-to-wafer or lot-to-lot and may be
provide in-line or off-line measurements.
[0085] A computer may be utilized to calculate the optimal film
deposition recipe based upon the measured film thickness and
calculated deposition rate, employing the models and algorithms
provided herein. A suitable integrated controller iAPC (integrated
advanced process control) is available from Applied Materials
(Santa Clara, Calif.).
[0086] Various aspects of the present invention that can be
controlled by a computer can be (and/or be controlled by) any
number of control/computer entities, including the one shown in
FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 6 a bus 656 serves as the main
information highway interconnecting the other components of system
611. CPU 658 is the central processing unit of the system,
performing calculations and logic operations required to execute
the processes of embodiments of the present invention as well as
other programs. Read only memory (ROM) 660 and random access memory
(RAM) 662 constitute the main memory of the system. Disk controller
664 interfaces one or more disk drives to the system bus 656. These
disk drives are, for example, floppy disk drives 670, or CD ROM or
DVD (digital video disks) drives 666, or internal or external hard
drives 668. These various disk drives and disk controllers are
optional devices.
[0087] A display interface 672 interfaces display 648 and permits
information from the bus 656 to be displayed on display 648.
Display 648 can be used in displaying a graphical user interface.
Communications with external devices such as the other components
of the system described above can occur utilizing, for example,
communication port 674. Optical fibers and/or electrical cables
and/or conductors and/or optical communication (e.g., infrared, and
the like) and/or wireless communication (e.g., radio frequency
(RF), and the like) can be used as the transport medium between the
external devices and communication port 674. Peripheral interface
654 interfaces the keyboard 650 and mouse 652, permitting input
data to be transmitted to bus 656. In addition to these components,
system 611 also optionally includes an infrared transmitter and/or
infrared receiver. Infrared transmitters are optionally utilized
when the computer system is used in conjunction with one or more of
the processing components/stations that transmits/receives data via
infrared signal transmission. Instead of utilizing an infrared
transmitter or infrared receiver, the computer system may also
optionally use a low power radio transmitter 680 and/or a low power
radio receiver 682. The low power radio transmitter transmits the
signal for reception by components of the production process, and
receives signals from the components via the low power radio
receiver. The low power radio transmitter and/or receiver are
standard devices in industry.
[0088] Although system 611 in FIG. 6 is illustrated having a single
processor, a single hard disk drive and a single local memory,
system 611 is optionally suitably equipped with any multitude or
combination of processors or storage devices. For example, system
611 may be replaced by, or combined with, any suitable processing
system operative in accordance with the principles of embodiments
of the present invention, including sophisticated calculators, and
hand-held, laptop/notebook, mini, mainframe and super computers, as
well as processing system network combinations of the same.
[0089] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an exemplary computer readable
memory medium 784 utilizable for storing computer readable code or
instructions. As one example, medium 784 may be used with disk
drives illustrated in FIG. 6. Typically, memory media such as
floppy disks, or a CD ROM, or a digital videodisk will contain, for
example, a multi-byte locale for a single byte language and the
program information for controlling the above system to enable the
computer to perform the functions described herein. Alternatively,
ROM 660 and/or RAM 662 illustrated in FIG. 6 can also be used to
store the program information that is used to instruct the central
processing unit 658 to perform the operations associated with the
instant processes. Other examples of suitable computer readable
media for storing information include magnetic, electronic, or
optical (including holographic) storage, some combination thereof,
etc. In addition, at least some embodiments of the present
invention contemplate that the medium can be in the form of a
transmission (e.g., digital or propagated signals).
[0090] In general, it should be emphasized that various components
of embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in
hardware, software or a combination thereof. In such embodiments,
the various components and steps are implemented in hardware and/or
software to perform the functions of the present invention. Any
presently available or future developed computer software language
and/or hardware components can be employed in such embodiments of
the present invention. For example, at least some of the
functionality mentioned above could be implemented using the C,
C++, or any assembly language appropriate in view of the
processor(s) being used. It could also be written in an
interpretive environment such as Java and transported to multiple
destinations to various users.
[0091] Although various embodiments that incorporate the teachings
of the present invention have been shown and described in detail
herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other
varied embodiments that incorporate these teachings. All references
mentioned herein are incorporated by reference.
* * * * *