Patent ID: 6722963
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A carrier for supporting a microelectronic substrate relative to a planarizing medium during planarization of the microelectronic substrate, the carrier comprising:a support member; and a flexible, compressible membrane adjacent to the support member, the membrane having a first portion with a first thickness and a laterally spaced apart second portion with a second thickness greater than the first thickness, the first portion of the membrane being aligned with a first part of the microelectronic substrate to apply a first force to the substrate when the membrane engages the microelectronic substrate and presses the substrate against the medium, the second portion of the membrane being aligned with a second part of the microelectronic substrate and applying a second force different from the first force when the membrane engages the microelectronic substrate and presses the substrate against the medium, the first and second portions simultaneously contacting the microelectronic substrate when the membrane engages the substrate.