Patent ID: 6835117
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A method of performing chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) on a workpiece using a CMP apparatus and an endpoint detection apparatus, the CMP apparatus performing polishing on the workpiece using a slurry, the method comprising the steps of:providing a slurry sampling tube for conducting slurry from the CMP apparatus to the endpoint detection apparatus; providing a slurry flushing apparatus for flushing slurry from the sampling tube; pumping slurry through the sampling tube in a slurry flow direction from the CMP apparatus into the endpoint detection apparatus while a polishing operation is in progress; and flushing the sampling tube while a polishing operation is not in progress, wherein said flushing is commenced in accordance with a control signal from the endpoint detection apparatus terminating the polishing operation, and said flushing is terminated in accordance with a starting signal for a next polishing operation.