Patent ID: 6254718
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: B24B,H01L

Abstract:
A wafer flattening system comprising:an outer peripheral portion processing apparatus comprising a platen having a polishing pad, said polishing pad formed so as to be most deeply recessed at a center portion of rotation of said platen, a carrier enabling said wafer to contact the polishing pad of said platen, and a rotary drive mechanism for rotating said platen and said carrier in opposite directions; anda plasma etching apparatus comprising a holder for carrying the wafer processed by said outer peripheral portion processing apparatus, a plasma generator for generating a plasma, a nozzle having an opening, said opening having a diameter of substantially the same width as the outer peripheral portion of said wafer, said nozzle capable of spraying activated species gas generated by the plasma generator toward the wafer surface, and a moving mechanism for moving the nozzle relative to the wafer surface;wherein said outer peripheral portion processing apparatus is configured to process the wafer such that a maximum thickness at a predetermined width of the outer peripheral portion of the wafer surface becomes not more than a minimum thickness at a portion inside from the outer peripheral portion.