Patent ID: 6416617
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: B24B,H01L

Abstract:
A chemical/mechanical polishing apparatus comprising:a polishing platen mounted to be rotatable; a polishing pad fixed on the polishing platen; abrasive supply means for supplying an abrasive onto the polishing pad; a substrate holder, mounted to be rotatable above the polishing pad, for holding a substrate to be polished and pressing and polishing the substrate against the polishing pad; a dresser, mounted to be rotatable above the polishing pad, for dressing the polishing pad; torque detection means for detecting at least one of the rotation torque of the polishing platen and the rotation torque of the substrate holder; and dresser control means for setting the processing parameters including revolving speed of the dresser, pressure of the dresser against the polishing pad, and time of contact between the dresser and the polishing pad, thereby making the dresser dress the polishing pad, if the rotation torque detected by the torque detection means is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value.