A linear chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) system includes a belt pad, a
slurry bar having a plurality of nozzles, and a heating module for heating slurry.
The heating module has a plurality of heating elements, each of which is coupled
in flow communication with one of the plurality of nozzles of the slurry bar. The
system also may include a control system for controlling the heating elements of
the heating module and first and second temperature sensors coupled to the control
system. The first temperature sensors measure the temperature of slurry heated
by each of the heating elements, and the second temperature sensors measure the
temperature of the surface of the belt pad. A method for dispensing slurry in a
linear CMP system, and methods for controlling the temperature of the surface of
the belt pad and the temperature of slurry in a linear CMP system also are described.