Patent · US Expired

Oscillating orbital polisher and method

US6184139A · kind A · utility

23Cited by
15References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 17, 1998
Grant dateFeb 6, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 17, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S977/888
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for improving uniformity of the rate of removal of material from the surface of a semiconductor substrate by chemical mechanical polishing. In accordance with the invention, the semiconductor substrate is subjected to a combination of polishing motions, including orbital motion, and at least one additional polishing motion selected from rotational, oscillating, sweeping, and linear polishing motions. The invention also provides an improved method for conditioning polishing pads to provide more uniform conditioning and to extend their useful life span.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.