Leland F Gotcher

6375553, Apr 23, 2002

Jul 17, 2001

09/907642

Leland F. Gotcher - Boise ID

Micron Technology, Inc. - Boise ID

B24B 100

451 41, 451 55, 451 59, 451 63

Polishing chucks, semiconductor wafer polishing chucks, abrading methods, polishing methods, semiconductor wafer polishing methods, and methods of forming polishing chucks are described. In one aspect, a polishing chuck includes a body dimensioned to hold a work piece, and a multi-positionable, force-bearing surface is positioned on the body. The surface has an undeflected position, and is bi-directionally deflectable away from the undeflected position. A deformable work piece-engaging member is disposed adjacent the force-bearing surface for receiving a work piece thereagainst. The work piece-engaging member is positioned for movement with the force-bearing surface. In another aspect, a yieldable surface is provided on the body and has a central area and a peripheral area outward of the central area. One of the central and peripheral areas is movable, relative to the other of the areas to provide both inwardly and outwardly flexed surface configurations. A porous member is provided on the yieldable surface and is positioned to receive a work piece thereagainst.

6383059, May 7, 2002

Oct 10, 2000

09/686486

Leland F. Gotcher - Boise ID

Micron Technology, Inc. - Boise ID

B24B 100

451 41, 451287, 451288

Polishing chucks, semiconductor wafer polishing chucks, abrading methods, polishing methods, semiconductor wafer polishing methods, and methods of forming polishing chucks are described. In one aspect a polishing chuck includes a body dimensioned to hold a work piece, and a multi-positionable, force-bearing surface is positioned on the body. The surface has an undeflected position, and is bi-directionally deflectable away from the undeflected position. A deformable work piece-engaging member is disposed adjacent the force-bearing surface for receiving a work piece thereagainst. The work piece-engaging member is positioned for movement with the force-bearing surface. In another aspect, a yieldable surface is provided on the body and has a central area and a peripheral area outward of the central area. One of the central and peripheral areas is movable, relative to the other of the areas to provide both inwardly and outwardly flexed surface configurations. A porous member is provided on the yieldable surface and is positioned to receive a work piece thereagainst.

6174221, Jan 16, 2001

Sep 1, 1998

9/145489

Leland F. Gotcher - Boise ID

Micron Technology, Inc. - Boise ID

B24B 704

451 41

Polishing chucks, semiconductor wafer polishing chucks, abrading methods, polishing methods, semiconductor wafer polishing methods, and methods of forming polishing chucks are described. In one embodiment, a polishing chuck includes a body dimensioned to hold a work piece, and a multi-positionable, force-bearing engagement surface is positioned on the body to engage at least a portion of a work piece held thereby. The surface has an undeflected position, and is bi-directionally deflectable away from the undeflected position. In another embodiment, a yieldable engagement surface is provided on the body and has a central area and a peripheral area outward of the central area. One of the central and peripheral areas is movable, relative to the other of the areas to provide both inwardly and outwardly flexed surface configurations. In yet another embodiment, a generally planar surface is provided on the body and positioned to receive the work piece thereagainst. The surface is movable into a non-planar, force-varying configuration in which more force is exerted on outermost portions of a work piece during polishing than on innermost portions of a work piece.

61685046, Jan 2, 2001

Sep 21, 1999

9/401361

Leland F. Gotcher - Boise ID

Micron Technology, Inc. - Boise ID

B24B 722

451 41

Polishing chucks, semiconductor wafer polishing chucks, abrading methods, polishing methods, semiconductor wafer polishing methods, and methods of forming polishing chucks are described. In one embodiment, a polishing chuck includes a body dimensioned to hold a work piece, and a multi-positionable, force-bearing engagement surface is positioned on the body to engage at least a portion of a work piece held thereby. The surface has an undeflected position, and is bi-directionally deflectable away from the undeflected position. In another embodiment, a yieldable engagement surface is provided on the body and has a central area and a peripheral area outward of the central area. One of the central and peripheral areas is movable, relative to the other of the areas to provide both inwardly and outwardly flexed surface configurations. In yet another embodiment, a generally planar surface is provided on the body and positioned to receive the work piece thereagainst. The surface is movable into a non-planar, force-varying configuration in which more force is exerted on outermost portions of a work piece during polishing than on innermost portions of a work piece.

62770004, Aug 21, 2001

Feb 22, 2000

9/511174

Leland F. Gotcher - Boise ID

Micron Technology, Inc. - Boise ID

B24B 100

451 41

Polishing chucks, semiconductor wafer polishing chucks, abrading methods, polishing methods, semiconductor wafer polishing methods, and methods of forming polishing chucks are described. In one aspect a polishing chuck includes a body dimensioned to hold a work piece, and a multi-positionable, force-bearing surface is positioned on the body. The surface has an undeflected position, and is bi-directionally deflectable away from the undeflected position. A deformable work piece-engaging member is disposed adjacent the force-bearing surface for receiving a work piece thereagainst. The work piece-engaging member is positioned for movement with the force-bearing surface. In another aspect, a yieldable surface is provided on the body and has a central area and a peripheral area outward of the central area. One of the central and peripheral areas is movable, relative to the other of is the areas to provide both inwardly and outwardly flexed surface configurations. A porous member is provided on the yieldable surface and is positioned to receive a work piece thereagainst.

61767646, Jan 23, 2001

Mar 10, 1999

9/266411

Leland F. Gotcher - Boise ID

Micron Technology, Inc. - Boise ID

B24B 100
B24B 2900

451 41

Polishing chucks, semiconductor wafer polishing chucks, abrading methods, polishing methods, semiconductor wafer polishing methods, and methods of forming polishing chucks are described. In one aspect, a polishing chuck includes a body dimensioned to hold a work piece, and a multi-positionable, force-bearing surface is positioned on the body. The surface has an undeflected position, and is bi-directionally deflectable away from the undeflected position. A deformable work piece-engaging member is disposed adjacent the force-bearing surface for receiving a work piece thereagainst. The work piece-engaging member is positioned for movement with the force-bearing surface. In another aspect, a yieldable surface is provided on the body and has a central area and a peripheral area outward of the central area. One of the central and peripheral areas is movable, relative to the other of the areas to provide both inwardly and outwardly flexed surface configurations. A porous member is provided on the yieldable surface and is positioned to receive a work piece thereagainst.