Substrate polishing with reduced contamination
US6053801A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB24B57/02
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods for polishing a substrate with reduced contamination are described. A rinse arm has one or more nozzles configured to direct rinse fluid toward a polishing surface for polishing a substrate. The rinse arm further includes a fluid dispenser configured to direct rinse fluid to one or more surfaces of the rinse arm in proximity to the polishing surface and exposed to airborne slurry particles generated from slurry on the polishing surface. By maintaining the atmosphere in the vicinity of the exposed rinse arm surfaces at an elevated relative humidity level, airborne slurry particles adhering to the exposed rinse arm surfaces remain in suspension and, therefore, may be easily cleaned, e.g., during a high pressure rinse cycle. This feature reduces the likelihood that slurry particles will accumulate on exposed surfaces of the polishing apparatus and flake off while a substrate is being polished, reducing the likelihood of substrate defects caused by such slurry contamination.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.