Patent ID: 6022264
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: B24B,B24D

Abstract:
A method of polishing, comprising:placing a polishing fluid having 0-2 weight percent particulate matter into an interface between a polishing pad and a substrate, the substrate containing at least one of silicon, gallium arsenide, silicon dioxide, tungsten, aluminum, and copper, the polishing pad having a surface layer, the surface layer comprising:a self-dressing matrix containing a plurality of particles, the matrix having a modulus in the range of 1 to 200 MegaPascals, a critical surface tension greater than or equal to 34 milliNewtons per meter, and an elongation to break in the range of 25% to 1000%, the matrix having a planar polishing surface with a surface area that is engagable with the substrate during polishing, and a three dimensional surface texture defining at least one flow channel in the polishing surface, whereby as the matrix wears during polishing, the surface area of the polishing surface changes by less than 25%, and the particles having an average aggregate diameter of less than 0.5 microns, the matrix being free of any particles greater than or equal to 1 micron in diameter, whereby as the particles separate from the matrix during polishing of the substrate, the matrix diminishes in increments of less than 1 micron.