Abstract: A polishing pad conditioning apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present inventive concept includes an apparatus body, a pivot arm provided on the apparatus body and including a housing having an internal space and provided at a distal end portion of the pivot arm and a head unit disposed at the distal end portion of the pivot arm. The head unit includes: a rotary motor provided in the internal space of the housing, the rotary motor including a rotary shaft; a foreign material blocking member connected to the rotary shaft; a disk holder connected to the rotary shaft; and a conditioning disk coupled to the disk holder. The foreign material blocking member includes a fluid flow groove configured to guide a movement of fluid for preventing foreign objects from entering the housing on an outer surface of the foreign material blocking member.

Abstract: A polishing pad conditioning apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present inventive concept includes an apparatus body, a pivot arm provided on the apparatus body and including a housing having an internal space and provided at a distal end portion of the pivot arm and a head unit disposed at the distal end portion of the pivot arm. The head unit includes: a rotary motor provided in the internal space of the housing, the rotary motor including a rotary shaft; a foreign material blocking member connected to the rotary shaft; a disk holder connected to the rotary shaft; and a conditioning disk coupled to the disk holder. The foreign material blocking member includes a fluid flow groove configured to guide a movement of fluid for preventing foreign objects from entering the housing on an outer surface of the foreign material blocking member.

Abstract: A flexible membrane for a polishing head includes a main part having a first surface configured to make contact with a surface of a substrate and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a plurality of extensions extending substantially perpendicularly from the second surface of the main part so as to define a plurality of independent spaces, respectively, and an inner ring coupled with an inner side of an outermost extension of the extensions to support an edge portion of the main part. A bottom surface of the inner ring is substantially flat.

Abstract: In a method of drying an object, a first drying fluid and a second dry fluid may be first heated to form a gas mixture. The gas mixture may be second heated to prevent the mixed gas from condensing. The second heated gas mixture may be filtered to remove impurities from the second heated mixed gas. The filtered mixed gas may be then applied to the object so as to dry the object.

Abstract: In a method of drying an object, a first drying fluid and a second dry fluid may be first heated to form a gas mixture. The gas mixture may be second heated to prevent the mixed gas from condensing. The second heated gas mixture may be filtered to remove impurities from the second heated mixed gas. The filtered mixed gas may be then applied to the object so as to dry the object.