Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and process for high temperature wafer edge polishing

US6257954A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
11References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 23, 2000
Grant dateJul 10, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 23, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB24B49/14
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and process for chemical-mechanical polishing an edge of a semiconductor wafer using a heated polishing pad and a heated liquid chemical slurry. The apparatus includes a rotatable drum having a cylindric outer surface, a heatable mat positioned around the outer surface of the drum, and a polishing pad in generally parallel arrangement with the mat. A wafer holder, a container of liquid slurry, and a slurry delivery system are also included. The process includes the steps of heating a liquid slurry to an elevated temperature and applying heat to the polishing pad from an underside of the polishing pad to elevate the temperature of the polishing pad. A peripheral edge of a semiconductor wafer is engaged against a polishing side of the polishing pad, and a relative motion is effected between the wafer and the pad while simultaneously dispensing the heated slurry onto a region where the edge of the wafer engages the pad.

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