Abstract: A substrate holder capable of preventing an increase in a polishing rate of an edge portion of a substrate, even when polishing a plurality of substrates successively, is disclosed. The substrate holder includes: a top ring body configured to hold the substrate; and a retaining ring disposed so as to surround the substrate held by the top ring body. The retaining ring includes a pad pressing structure in an annular shape which is to be brought into contact with the polishing pad, and the pad pressing structure has a width in a range of 3 mm to 7.5 mm.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a substrate polishing method includes: conveying a substrate to a position above a polishing pad by sucking the substrate by a first region of an elastic film; polishing the substrate while bringing the substrate into contact with the polishing pad; and lifting off the substrate by sucking the substrate by a second region of the elastic film, the second region being larger than the first region.

Abstract: A polishing object is prevented from slipping out without depending on the process type or the polishing condition.

Abstract: A polishing method is used for polishing a film formed on a substrate by pressing the substrate against a polishing pad. The polishing method includes preparing, in advance, an algorithm for correction of polishing time from a relationship between a known amount of wear of the polishing pad or a known thickness of the polishing pad, and a polishing time and a polishing amount; setting a polishing target value for the film; and measuring an amount of wear of the polishing pad or a thickness of the polishing pad. The polishing method further includes determining an optimal polishing time for the polishing target value from the measured amount of wear of the polishing pad or the measured thickness of the polishing pad and from the algorithm; and polishing the film for the determined optimal polishing time.

Abstract: The substrate holder is a device for holding a substrate and pressing it against a polishing pad. The substrate holder includes: an inner retaining ring vertically movable independently of the top ring body and arranged around the substrate; an inner pressing mechanism to press the inner retaining ring against the polishing surface of the polishing pad; an outer retaining ring to vertically movable independently of the inner retaining ring and the top ring body; an outer pressing mechanism to press the outer retaining ring against the polishing surface; and a supporting mechanism to receive a lateral force applied to the inner retaining ring from the substrate during polishing of the substrate and to tiltably support the outer retaining ring.

Abstract: An elastic membrane capable of precisely controlling a polishing profile in a narrow area of a wafer edge portion is disclosed. The elastic membrane includes a contact portion to be brought into contact with a substrate; a first edge circumferential wall extending upwardly from a peripheral edge of the contact portion; and a second edge circumferential wall having a horizontal portion connected to an inner circumferential surface of the first edge circumferential wall. The inner circumferential surface of the first edge circumferential wall includes an upper inner circumferential surface and a lower inner circumferential surface, both of which are perpendicular to the contact portion, The upper inner circumferential surface extends upwardly from the horizontal portion of the second edge circumferential wall, and the lower inner circumferential surface extends downwardly from the horizontal portion.

Abstract: Provided is a substrate holding device used in a substrate polishing apparatus that polishes a substrate using a polishing pad. The substrate holding device includes: a retainer ring configured to hold a peripheral edge of the substrate; and a drive ring fixed to the retainer ring so as to rotate together with the retainer ring. The surface of the retainer ring at the polishing pad side has a convex portion at a position other than an innermost circumference following a shape of the drive ring.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes a polishing table for supporting a polishing pad and a substrate holding device for pressing a substrate against the polishing pad. The substrate holding device includes an elastic film to form multiple pressure chambers to press the substrate, and a pressure control unit controlling pressure of the pressure chambers. The pressure control unit includes a first flow path connected to a first pressure chamber, and first and second pressure regulation mechanisms. The pressure control unit performs switching control from first pressure regulation mechanism to second pressure regulation mechanism when a set pressure within first pressure chamber reaches a first threshold value. Then, the pressure control unit performs switching control from second pressure regulation mechanism to first pressure regulation mechanism when the set pressure within the first pressure chamber reaches a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value.

Abstract: An elastic membrane capable of precisely controlling a polishing profile in a narrow area of a wafer edge portion is disclosed. The elastic membrane includes a contact portion to be brought into contact with a substrate; a first edge circumferential wall extending upwardly from a peripheral edge of the contact portion; and a second edge circumferential wall having a horizontal portion connected to an inner circumferential surface of the first edge circumferential wall. The inner circumferential surface of the first edge circumferential wall includes an upper inner circumferential surface and a lower inner circumferential surface, both of which are perpendicular to the contact portion. The upper inner circumferential surface extends upwardly from the horizontal portion of the second edge circumferential wall, and the lower inner circumferential surface extends downwardly from the horizontal portion.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus polishes a substrate by bringing the substrate into sliding contact with a polishing surface. The polishing apparatus includes: a substrate holder having a substrate holding surface configured to press the substrate against the polishing surface, a retaining ring coupled to the substrate holding surface and configured to surround the substrate, wherein the retaining ring is brought into contact with the polishing surface during operation of the polishing apparatus, the retaining ring being configured to be tiltable independently of the substrate holding surface; a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the substrate holder about its own axis; and at least one local load exerting mechanism configured to exert a local load on a part of the retaining ring in a direction perpendicular to the polishing surface, the at least one local load exerting mechanism being arranged so as not to move in accordance with the substrate holder.

Abstract: A polishing method is used for polishing a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer to a flat mirror finish. A method of polishing a substrate by a polishing apparatus includes a polishing table (100) having a polishing surface, a top ring (1) for holding a substrate and pressing the substrate against the polishing surface, and a vertically movable mechanism (24) for moving the top ring (1) in a vertical direction. The top ring (1) is moved to a first height before the substrate is pressed against the polishing surface, and then the top ring (1) is moved to a second height after the substrate is pressed against the polishing surface.

Abstract: An elastic membrane capable of precisely controlling a polishing profile in a narrow area of a wafer edge portion is disclosed. The elastic membrane includes a contact portion to be brought into contact with a substrate; a first edge circumferential wall extending upwardly from a peripheral edge of the contact portion; and a second edge circumferential wall having a horizontal portion connected to an inner circumferential surface of the first edge circumferential wall. The inner circumferential surface of the first edge circumferential wall includes an upper inner circumferential surface and a lower inner circumferential surface, both of which are perpendicular to the contact portion. The upper inner circumferential surface extends upwardly from the horizontal portion of the second edge circumferential wall, and the lower inner circumferential surface extends downwardly from the horizontal portion.

Abstract: A polishing device is provided to suppress deterioration in reproducibility of a polishing profile due to a variation or change with time of a shape of a retaining ring of a substrate holding member for each of retaining rings. The polishing device includes: a polishing head configured to press a substrate against a polishing pad and have a retainer ring surrounding the substrate pressed against the polishing pad; a measurement sensor configured to measure a surface shape of the retainer ring; and a controller configured to determine a polishing condition of the substrate based on the surface shape of the retainer ring measured by the measurement sensor.