Patent ID: 6997789
Filing Date: 2006-02-14
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for planarizing a microelectronic substrate, comprising: a platen having a support surface oriented at an angle offset from horizontal during operation; a non-continuous polishing pad adjacent to the support surface of the platen and having a planarizing surface offset from horizontal and generally parallel to the support surface of the platen during operation; a substrate carrier at least proximate to the planarizing surface of the polishing pad, the carrier having at least one engaging surface for engaging the microelectronic substrate and biasing the microelectronic substrate against the polishing pad, at least one of the carrier and the polishing pad being movable relative to the other to remove material from the microelectronic substrate; a frame; a supply spindle coupled to the frame and positioned to receive the polishing pad; a take-up spindle coupled to the frame and spaced apart from the supply spindle, the supply spindle being positioned above the take-up spindle, the take-up spindle being positioned to receive a used portion of the polishing pad, the platen being coupled to the frame and positioned proximate to the supply spindle and the take-up; and a ventilation supply port proximate to the supply spindle and a ventilation exit port proximate the take-up spindle for passing ventilation gas adjacent the polishing pad when the polishing pad is supported, wherein the polishing pad has a planarizing surface plane and the supply port directs the ventilation gas generally parallel to the planarizing surface plane downwardly toward the ventilation exit port.