Patent ID: 6547651
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: B24B,B24D

Abstract:
A chemical-mechanical planarization apparatus for planarizing an object, the apparatus comprising:a platen assembly for holding an object having a target surface to be planarized; a polishing pad configured to contact the object during planarization with a contact portion over a contact area which is smaller in area than the target surface, the polishing pad having a noncontact portion which is not in contact with the object during planarization, the polishing pad being movable relative to the object to move the noncontact portion in contact with the object and move the contact portion out of contact with the object; and a conditioner configured to condition the noncontact portion of the polishing pad, wherein the conditioner comprises a conditioning plate, and wherein the polishing pad is movable in translation across the target surface of the object and wherein the conditioning plate moves in translation with the polishing pad.