Abstract: A polishing apparatus is disclosed. The polishing apparatus can stabilize an optical path in a space between a transparent window of a polishing pad and an optical sensor head, thereby achieving accurate measuring of a film thickness of a workpiece. polishing apparatus includes: a polishing pad having a transparent window configured to allow light to pass therethrough; a polishing table supporting the polishing pad; a polishing head configured to press a workpiece against the polishing pad; and an optical film-thickness measuring system having an optical sensor head disposed below the transparent window, a space formed between the transparent window and the optical sensor head being filled with a transparent liquid.

Abstract: To relatively easily allow monitoring of the operation of a switching device even when the switching device is employed in an optical surface monitoring system of a substrate polishing apparatus. A substrate polishing apparatus includes a polishing table, a substrate holding head, a light source, a first optical head, a switching device, a first optical line, a second optical line, a third optical line, a first optical filter, a spectroscope, and a control device. The substrate holding head is configured to hold a substrate. The first optical head is configured to project light from the light source toward the substrate held by the substrate holding head and receive light reflected from the substrate, the first optical head being disposed inside the polishing table. The switching device includes a plurality of channels. The first optical line optically connects the light source to the first optical head.

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: 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.

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: 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: 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: 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.