Patent ID: 8557134
Filing Date: 2013-10-15
Classification: B24B,B44C

Abstract:
1. A method for reformulating a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) slurry for use in conjunction with a CMP tool having an active cycle during which the tool is being used to planarize a substrate, and a rinse cycle during which the tool is being rinsed, the method comprising: receiving a feed stream from the CMP tool, at least a portion of the feed stream comprising a used slurry which includes abrasive particles disposed in a liquid medium; during at least a portion of the rinse cycle, sending the feedstream received from the CMP tool to a first location; and during at least a portion of the active cycle, sending the feedstream received from the CMP tool to a second location where the feedstream undergoes processing to reformulate the slurry; wherein the processing at the second location comprises increasing the concentration of particles in the feed stream by removing a portion of the liquid medium therefrom with an ultra-filtration device, thereby obtaining a concentrated feedstream, wherein the untra-filtration device has an inlet and an outlet, and wherein the ultra-filtration device extracts water from the used slurry as the used slurry passes from the inlet to the outlet.