Patent · US Expired

Polishing apparatus

US6358126B1 · kind B1 · utility

12Cited by
7References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 23, 2000
Grant dateMar 19, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 23, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB24B37/345
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A polishing apparatus is used for polishing a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer to a flat mirror finish. The polishing apparatus includes a turntable having a polishing surface, a top ring for holding a workpiece and pressing the workpiece against the polishing surface to polish the workpiece. The polishing apparatus further includes a rotary transporter disposed in a position which can be accessed by the top ring and having a plurality of stages positioned on a predetermined circumference from a center of rotation of the rotary transporter for holding the workpieces. The polishing apparatus further includes a plurality of support tables removably held by the respective stages of the rotary transporter for supporting the workpieces, and a pusher for transferring the workpiece between the support table and the top ring.

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