Patent ID: 7291057
Filing Date: 2007-11-06
Classification: B24B,H01L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for polishing a substrate, comprising: a substrate carrier having a lower surface for holding a substrate and bringing the substrate into contact with a polishing surface; a polishing table having said polishing surface; a pivotal shaft for rotatably supporting the substrate carrier for movement to and from a polishing position, in which polishing position said substrate carrier is positioned such that a portion of the lower surface of the substrate carrier extends radially outwardly of the outer peripheral portion of said polishing table; and an attitude control mechanism for keeping said lower surface of said substrate carrier parallel with said polishing surface, said attitude control mechanism being operable to calculate a force applied to said substrate carrier based on a rotational moment and a direction of frictional force acting on said substrate carrier and a contact area where the substrate contacts said polishing surface; wherein said attitude control mechanism comprises an X-axis friction sensor and a Y-axis friction sensor.