Patent ID: 6840846
Filing Date: 2005-01-11
Classification: B24B,H01L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for polishing a wafer, comprising: a polishing station having a platen on which a polishing pad is installed; a polishing head having a membrane that contacts a surface of the wafer, the membrane securing the wafer and pressuring the wafer against the polishing pad, wherein the polishing station includes a transfer stage for loading the wafer on or unloading the wafer from the polishing head, and wherein the transfer stage includes a pedestal on which the wafer is placed, a fluid supply part for supplying a fluid into a boundary region between the wafer and the membrane to reduce a surface tension between the wafer and the membrane, and a stopper for preventing the wafer placed on the pedestal from being lifted up alone with the membrane when the wafer is unloaded from the polishing head onto the pedestal.