A NOVEL METHODOLOGY TO OBTAIN INTEGRATED PROCESS RESULTS PRIOR TO PROCESS TOOLS BEING INSTALLED

摘要

In accordance with the objectives of the invention a new methodology is provided that assures that integrated process results are verified and assured prior to the installation of processing tools as part of modifying or updating of a semiconductor manufacturing foundry. The complete semiconductor manufacturing complement of processing tools is sub-divided into short-loops or sub-modules, which are then combined into a full loop. This combination of sub-modules into modules that closer approach a full complement of processing tools can be accomplished in a gradual manner, whereby one or more sub-loops are first combined and evaluated, to this combination one or more additional sub-groups may be added whereby each of these latter sub-groups may also have been created by combining one or more (original) sub-loops. This process is continued to the point where a full complement of process equipment has been created, completing the full processing loops of the semiconductor manufacturing facility.