Patents Examined by Kin-Cham Chen
  • Patent number: 5945346
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical planarization tool that reduces a volume of polishing chemistry used in a wafer polishing process includes a rinse bar (87) for removing polishing chemistry and particulates from a polishing media and a slurry measurement system (84) for regulating a pump (83) of a slurry delivery system. A volume of the slurry delivery system is reduced to less than 100 milliliters. Approximately a minimum volume of polishing chemistry for polishing a single wafer is dispensed during each wafer polishing process of a wafer lot. During each wafer polishing process the slurry delivery system is purged to prevent settling, agglomeration, and hardening of the polishing chemistry. The rinse bar (87) sprays a surface of the polishing media to remove spent polishing chemistry and particulates prior to polishing another semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Vanell, Todd W. Buley