Abstract: A substrate holding mechanism, a substrate polishing apparatus and a substrate polishing method have functions capable of minimizing an amount of heat generated during polishing of a substrate to be polished and of effectively cooling a substrate holding part of the substrate holding mechanism, and also capable of effectively preventing a polishing solution and polishing dust from adhering to an outer peripheral portion of the substrate holding part and drying thereon. The substrate holding mechanism has a mounting flange, a support member 6 and a retainer ring. A substrate to be polished is held on a lower side of the support member surrounded by the retainer ring, and the substrate is pressed against a polishing surface of a polishing table. The mounting flange is provided with a flow passage contiguous with at least the retainer ring. A temperature-controlled gas is supplied through the flow passage to cool the mounting flange, the support member and the retainer ring.

Abstract: A substrate holding mechanism, a substrate polishing apparatus and a substrate polishing method have functions capable of minimizing the amount of heat generated during polishing of a substrate to be polished and of effectively cooling the substrate holding part of the substrate holding mechanism and also capable of effectively preventing the polishing solution and polishing dust from adhering to the outer peripheral portion of the substrate holding part and drying out thereon. The substrate holding mechanism (top ring 1) has a mounting flange 2, a support member 6, and a retainer ring 3. A substrate W to be polished is held on the lower side of the support member 6 surrounded by the retainer ring 3, and the substrate W is pressed against a polishing surface. The mounting flange 2 is provided with a flow passage 26 contiguous with at least the retainer ring 3. A temperature-controlled gas supplied through the flow passage 26 to cool the mounting flange 2, the support member 6 and the retainer ring 3.