Patent ID: 6340326
Filing Date: 2002-01-22
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A semiconductor wafer polisher comprising:a rotatable wafer carrier having a wafer receiving surface for releasably retaining a semiconductor wafer; a rotatable polishing pad carrier having a polishing pad oriented substantially parallel to the wafer receiving surface and configured to movably position the polishing pad at a plurality of plurality overlapping positions with respect to the semiconductor wafer, wherein the polishing pad contacts and rotates against a portion of a surface of the semiconductor wafer; a rotatable pad dressing assembly having a surface comprising a polishing pad conditioning material, the surface of the pad dressing assembly positioned substantially coplanar with the surface of the semiconductor wafer on the wafer carrier, wherein the rotatable pad dressing assembly rotates and contacts a first portion of the polishing pad, while a second portion of the pad polishes the semiconductor wafer; and wherein the rotatable wafer carrier comprises a support positioned to maintain the semiconductor wafer in fixed planar position, the support comprising a circular bearing, wherein the rotatable wafer carrier does not flex in response to receiving a polishing pressure from the pad carrier assembly.