Abstract: The polishing pad is suitable for planarizing at least one of semiconductor, optical and magnetic substrates. The polishing pad has an ultimate tensile strength of at least 3,000 psi (20.7 MPa) and polymeric matrix containing closed cell pores. The closed cell pores have an average diameter of 1 to 50 ?m and represent 1 to 40 volume percent of the polishing pad. The pad texture has an exponential decay constant, ?, of 1 to 10 ?m as a result of the natural porosity of the polymeric matrix and a surface texture developed by implementing periodic or continuous conditioning with an abrasive. The surface texture has a characteristic half height half width, W1/2 that is less than or equal to the value of ?.

Abstract: The polishing pad is suitable for planarizing at least one of semiconductor, optical and magnetic substrates. The polishing pad has an ultimate tensile strength of at least 3,000 psi (20.7 MPa) and polymeric matrix containing closed cell pores. The closed cell pores have an average diameter of 1 to 50 ?m and represent 1 to 40 volume percent of the polishing pad. The pad texture has an exponential decay constant, ?, of 1 to 10 ?m as a result of the natural porosity of the polymeric matrix and a surface texture developed by implementing periodic or continuous conditioning with an abrasive. The surface texture has a characteristic half height half width, W1/2 that is less than or equal to the value of ?.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chemical mechanical polishing pad comprising a window formed in the polishing pad, the window having a void provided on a side thereof. The polishing pad further comprises a void-pressure relief channel provided in the polishing pad from the void to a periphery of the polishing pad.

Abstract: A porous polishing pad is useful for polishing semiconductor substrates. The porous polishing pad has a porous matrix formed from a coagulated polyurethane and a non-fibrous polishing layer. The non-fibrous polishing layer has a polishing surface with a pore count of at least 500 pores per mm2 that decreases with removal of the polishing layer; and the polishing surface has a surface roughness Ra between 0.01 and 3 ?m.

Abstract: A method of polishing a surface (120) of an article, e.g., a semiconductor wafer (112, 212), using a polishing layer (108, 208) in the presence of a polishing medium, such as a slurry (116). The method includes selecting the rotational rate of the article or the velocity of the polishing layer, or both, so as to control either removal rate uniformity or the occurrence of defects on the polished surface, or both.

Abstract: A system and method for semiconductor processing using magnetorheological finishing (MRF) includes polishing of semiconductor substrates, ceramic bodies and glass lithography masks, to a high degree of flatness by the abrasive action of a magnetorheological fluid flowing in a magnetic field.