Patent ID: 8500934

Claim:
A method of forming a semi-spherical polishing pad for polishing semiconductor surfaces, comprising: placing a polishing pad pre-form on a dome-shaped forming surface on a first platen; disposing a bladder on a second platen opposite to the dome-shaped forming surface and the polishing pad pre-form; moving the first platen and the second platen toward each other; inflating the bladder with a fluid such that the dome-shaped forming surface of the bonnet form presses against the polishing pad pre-form from one side and the bladder presses against the polishing pad pre-form from an opposite side; maintaining the pressing step for a predetermined period of time to form the polishing pad pre-form into a semi-spherical polishing pad; deflating the bladder; moving the first platen away from each other; removing the semi-spherical polishing pad from the dome-shaped forming surface: removing the dome-shaped forming surface from the first platen; placing a polishing bonnet having a dome-shaped surface on the first platen; applying an adhesive to the dome-shaped surface of the flexible bonnet; placing the formed semi-spherical polishing pad onto the dome-shaped surface of the bonnet; moving the first platen and the second platen toward each other; inflating the bladder with a fluid such that the dome-shaped surface of the bonnet presses against the polishing pad from one side and the bladder presses against the polishing pad pre-form from an opposite side; and maintaining the pressing step for a predetermined period of time to affix the polishing pad to the bonnet.