Patent ID: 6984168
Filing Date: 2006-01-10
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
1. A wafer carrier assembly for use in a chemical mechanical polishing system, comprising: a wafer carrier support frame; a wafer carrier head housing rotatably mounted on said wafer carrier support frame; a wafer carrier base; a compartmentalized flexible membrane connected to the wafer carrier base and defining a plurality of concentric chambers; a retaining ring, operatively connected to a retaining ring bearing which allows relative axial motion while constraining relative radial motion between said retaining ring and said wafer carrier head housing; a retaining ring bellows operatively connected to said retaining ring bearing to urge said retaining ring against a polishing member; and a bladder bellows operably connecting said wafer carrier base to said wafer carrier head housing such that rotational torque is transferred from said wafer carrier head housing to said wafer carrier base, wherein a chamber formed by said bladder bellows, said wafer carrier base, and said wafer carrier head housing may be pressurized to load said wafer carrier base and compartmentalized flexible membrane against the polishing member, independent of any frictional loads on said retaining ring and wherein the compartmentalized flexible membrane has a lower surface providing a wafer receiving surface with a plurality of inner portions associated with respective ones of said plurality of concentric chambers such that pressures within each of said chambers are independently controllable.