Patent ID: 6231428
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A polishing apparatus comprising:a housing;a disc shaped carrier for mounting a substrate to be polished;a retaining ring substantially circumscribing said carrier for retaining said substrate in a pocket formed by said retaining ring and a surface of said carrier;a first flexible coupling attaching said retaining ring to said carrier permitting said retaining ring to translate in at least one dimension and tilt about an axis relative to said carrier;a second flexible coupling attaching said carrier to said housing permitting said carrier to translate in at least one dimension and tilt about an axis relative to said housing, said retaining ring being attached to said housing indirectly via said first flexible coupling to said carrier and via said second flexible coupling from said carrier to said housing;said housing and said first flexible coupling defining a first chamber in fluid communication with a first source of pressurized gas such that when gas at a first pressure is communicated to said first chamber a first force is exerted against said retaining ring; andsaid housing and said second flexible coupling defining a second chamber in fluid communication with a second source of pressurized gas such that when gas at a second pressure is communicated to said second chamber a second force is exerted against said subcarrier.