Patent ID: 7785175
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
1. A method of chemical mechanical polishing for planarizing a surface of a wafer on which a conductive layer is formed, comprising the steps of: supplying slurry on a polishing pad; pressing the wafer against the polishing pad; making a gaseous atmosphere in a polishing section where the wafer is being pressed against the polishing pad that is oxygen reduced relative to the ambient air; and applying voltage between the wafer and the polishing pad to polish the wafer with an electrolytic effect; wherein the oxygen reduced gaseous atmosphere is made by directing a flow of the oxygen reduced gaseous atmosphere from a plurality of spouts to the polishing section, the plurality of spouts being positioned surrounding the polishing section in close proximity to the polishing pad and being oriented to create oxygen reduced gaseous atmosphere over only an area located between the plurality of spouts.