Patent ID: 7081044
Filing Date: 2006-07-25
Classification: B24B,H01L

Abstract:
1. A polishing apparatus comprising: a polishing table; a polishing pad mounted on said polishing table and having a polishing surface thereon for polishing a workpiece; a top ring for holding said workpiece and pressing said workpiece against said polishing pad; and an optical sensor provided in said polishing table for measuring the thickness of a film formed on said workpiece, said polishing pad comprising: a pad having a hole defined therein; a light-transmittable window disposed in said hole for allowing light to pass therethrough; a support member for preventing said light-transmittable window from projecting above said polishing surface of said polishing pad; and a deformable reinforcing member made of a jelly elastomer, said deformable reinforcing member being interposed between said light-transmittable window and said support member for preventing said light-transmittable window from being flexed under a pressure applied to said light-transmittable window while said workpiece is being polished.