Patent ID: 9330933
Filing Date: 2016-05-03
CPC Classification: H01L

Claim Text:
1. A method for planarizing a polymer layer, comprising: providing a substrate having the polymer layer formed thereon; providing a structure having a flexible contact layer with a surface, the surface being substantially flat when the contact layer is in a non-flexed state and providing a nanometer-scale smoothness, softening the polymer layer, wherein softening the polymer layer includes heating the liquid within the non-vacuumed chamber to facilitate softening of the polymer layer, wherein the heating the liquid occurs prior to any engagement of the structure with the substrate having the polymer layer formed thereon; pressing the surface of the contact layer to a top surface of the softened polymer layer such that the top surface of the polymer layer is substantially flattened by the surface of the contact layer, separating the flat surface of the contact layer from the top surface of the softened polymer layer, wherein the liquid remains in the non-vacuumed chamber of the structure after separating the flat surface of the contact layer from the top surface of the softened polymer layer; and cooling the polymer layer after the separating of the flat surface of the contact layer.