The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 11, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 30, 2000
Michael Vogtmann, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Chris Frederickson, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Jeff Gasparitsch, Fremont, CA (US);
Gene Hempel, Austin, TX (US);
Erik Engdahl, Livermore, CA (US);
Lam Research Corporation, Fremont, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for conditioning a polishing pad are described. The method includes steps of providing a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus having a polishing region and a conditioning region; cycling a polishing member through the apparatus; contacting the polishing member in the conditioning region with a conditioning member; and conditioning the polishing member. The apparatus includes an end effector adapted to receive a conditioning member, the end effector being attached to an arm that can be moved horizontally and vertically, and a strain gauge that monitors the force applied to a polishing member.