Patent ID: 6183345
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A polishing apparatus comprising:a first polishing station comprising first holding means for holding a member to be polished in a state in which a surface to be polished thereof is upwardly placed, and a first polishing head for holding and rotating a polishing pad whose polishing surface is larger than the surface to be polished in a state of contacting the surface to be polished;a detection station for detecting a polished state of the surface to be polished in a state in which the surface to be polished is upwardly placed and for producing a detection result; anda second polishing station comprising second holding means for holding the member to be polished in a state in which the surface to be polished thereof is upwardly placed, and a second polishing head for holding and rotating a polishing pad whose polishing surface is smaller than the surface to be polished in a state of contacting the surface to be polished, said second polishing station operating in accordance with the detection result, regarding the polished state of the surface to be polished,wherein said first polishing station, said detection station and said second polishing station are provided within corresponding chambers separated by partition means and separated from atmospheric air.