Patent ID: 6443820
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A polishing apparatus for polishing a plate-like workpiece by a relative sliding motion between the workpiece and a polishing surface, the polishing apparatus comprising a carrier for holding the workpiece to bring the workpiece into contact with the polishing surface, the carrier comprising:a carrier body having a carrier surface and one or more recesses or openings formed in the carrier body surface; an inner sheet positioned adjacent to the surface of the carrier body and covering the carrier body surface, the inner sheet being non-porous and having an outer peripheral edge sealingly connected to the carrier body; an outer sheet positioned adjacent to and covering the inner sheet, the outer sheet having openings extending from an inner surface of the outer sheet to an outer surface of the same, and an outer peripheral edge sealingly connected to the carrier body; and a pressure supply device for providing a negative pressure between the inner sheet and the carrier body surface so that a suction force is created on the outer surface of the outer sheet to draw a workpiece against the outer sheet.