Automated process and apparatus for planarization of topographical surfaces
US7790231B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 8, 2004 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L21/6719
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An improved apparatus (20) and method are provided for effective, high speed contact planarization of coated curable substrates such as microelectronic devices to achieve very high degrees of planarization. The apparatus (20) includes a planarizing unit (28) preferably having an optical flat flexible sheet (88) and a backup optical flat body (82), and a curing assembly (30). In operation, a substrate (78) having a planarizable coating (76) is placed within a vacuum chamber (26) beneath sheet (88) and body (82). A pressure differential is created across sheet (88) so as to deflect the sheet into contact with a central region C of the coating (76), whereupon the coating (76) is brought into full planarizing contact with sheet (88) and body (82) by means of a support (114) and vacuum chuck (120); at this point the coating (76) is cured using assembly (30). After curing, a pressure differential is established across sheet (88) for sequentially separating the sheet from the peripheral portion P of the coating, and then full separation of the sheet (88) and coating (76).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.