Patent ID: 6533646
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A method of polishing a surface of a semiconductor wafer by engaging said wafer surface against a polishing pad, comprising the steps of:providing a polishing head to mount said wafer thereon, said polishing head having a two-stage wafer carrier in which a first stage is comprised of a carrier housing fixedly mounted on said polishing head; inserting a second stage of said polishing head, which is comprised of a removable subcarrier, into said carrier housing wherein said subcarrier is installed against said carrier housing; placing said wafer onto said subcarrier; rotating said polishing head by rotating said carrier housing such that a flange key attached to the carrier housing contacts a recessed mating slot defined by an upper surface of the subcarrier to transfer torque to said subcarrier for rotating said subcarrier; and polishing said wafer surface by engaging said wafer to said pad.