Patent ID: 6142857
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A wafer carrier for polishing a surface of a semiconductor wafer, comprising:a backing member defining a recess;a pressure balance assembly received in said recess and including a porous media layer having a core portion surrounded by a side wall extending between spaced-apart front and back opposed major surfaces;a fluid-impermeable sealant layer on said back surface;at least one hole communicating with said recess, defined by said pressure balance assembly and extending through said sealant layer and the back surface of the core portion of said porous media layer; andfluid coupling means coupling an external fluid source to said recess to thereby introduce a fluid into the core portion of said porous media layer through said at least one hole, with said porous media layer laterally dispersing fluid introduced through said at least one hole, so that said fluid travels toward said front surface in directions non-normal to said front surface so as to balance the fluid flow across said front surface.