Patent ID: 8684791

Claim:
A method for linear, simultaneous lapping flat and polishing of optics or semiconductors or optoelectronic materials using high purity water based abrasive slurry, comprising the steps of: affixing a workpiece to a workpiece holder using vacuum wherein said workpiece comprises said optics or semiconductors or optoelectronic materials; and lowering said workpiece held fixed by said vacuum to said workpiece holder onto a circular synthetic polishing pad wherein said circular synthetic polishing pad is affixed to a circular corrosion resistant lapping plate of equal or larger diameter than said circular synthetic polishing pad, for providing rigid mechanical support to said circular synthetic polishing pad, and wherein said circular synthetic polishing pad is loaded with said high purity water based abrasive slurry for said simultaneous lapping flat and polishing of said workpiece; and continuously displacing said workpiece held fixed by said vacuum to said workpiece holder by linear reciprocal translation of said workpiece holder diametrically across said circular synthetic polishing pad affixed to said circular corrosion resistant lapping plate, for said simultaneous lapping flat and polishing of said workpiece; and intermittently rotating said workpiece held fixed by said vacuum to said workpiece holder about the center axis of said workpiece holder during said linear reciprocal translation of said workpiece holder diametrically across said circular synthetic polishing pad affixed to said circular corrosion resistant lapping plate, to provide uniform material removal from the full area of said workpiece; and intermittently rotating said circular corrosion resistant lapping plate about the center axis of said circular corrosion resistant lapping plate during said linear reciprocal translation of said workpiece holder diametrically across said circular synthetic polishing pad affixed to said circular corrosion resistant lapping plate, to provide uniform wear of said circular synthetic polishing pad, thereby eliminating the need for periodic reflattening of said circular synthetic polishing pad and said circular corrosion resistant lapping plate; and raising said workpiece held fixed by said vacuum to said workpiece holder from said circular synthetic polishing pad after completion of said simultaneous lapping flat and polishing of said workpiece to recover said workpiece.