Patent ID: 6500056
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
An apparatus for chemically mechanically planarizing a semiconductor wafer, the apparatus comprising:a continuous polishing strip comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first side comprises a fixed abrasive surface; a pair of polishing strip support rollers positioned adjacent opposite ends of a polishing strip support, wherein the pair of polishing strip rollers are in contact with the second side of the polishing strip and the polishing strip support is configured to support a section of the polishing strip during a semiconductor wafer polishing process; a first drive roller holding a first end of the polishing strip; a second drive roller holding a second end of the polishing strip, wherein at least one of the first and second drive rollers comprises an torque adjustment mechanism configured to maintain a tension on the polishing strip; a drive motor operably connected with the first and second drive rollers and configured to move the polishing strip in a linear, bi-directional motion, wherein both of the first and second drive rollers are operably connected with the drive motor by belts; a first passively rotatable idler roller positioned between the first drive roller and a first one of the pair of polishing strip support rollers; and a second passively rotatable idler roller positioned between the second drive roller and a second one of the pair of polishing strip support rollers.