Rodel Holdings, Inc.

Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials Cmp Holdings, Inc.

David Shidner

Arun Vishwanathan

David B James

Lee Melbourne Cook

Peter A Burke

John V H Roberts

Joseph K So

Bainian Qian

George C Jacob

Marty W DeGroot

Kancharla-Arun Kumar Reddy

Andrew Wank

Donna Marie Alden

The present invention provides methods of manufacturing a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP polishing) layer for polishing substrates, such as semiconductor wafers comprising providing a composition of a plurality of liquid-filled microelements having a polymeric shell; classifying the composition via centrifugal air classification to remove fines and coarse particles and to produce liquid-filled microelements having a density of 800 to 1500 g/liter; and, forming the CMP polishing layer by (i) converting the classified liquid-filled microelements into gas-filled microelements by heating them, then mixing them with a liquid polymer matrix forming material and casting or molding the resulting mixture to form a polymeric pad matrix, or (ii) combining the classified liquid-filled microelements directly with the liquid polymer matrix forming material, and casting or molding.

Methods of making chemical mechanical polishing layers having improved uniformity

An improved pad and process for polishing metal damascene structures on a semiconductor wafer. The process includes the steps of pressing the wafer against the surface of a polymer sheet in combination with an aqueous-based liquid that optionally contains sub-micron particles and providing a means for relative motion of wafer and polishing pad under pressure so that the moving pressurized contact results in planar removal of the surface of said wafer, wherein the polishing pad has a low elastic recovery when said load is removed, so that the mechanical response of the sheet is largely anelastic. The improved pad is characterized by a high energy dissipation coupled with a high pad stiffness. The pad exhibits a stable morphology that can be reproduced easily and consistently. The pad surface resists glazing, thereby requiring less frequent and less aggressive conditioning. The benefits of such a polishing pad are low dishing of metal features, low oxide erosion, reduced pad conditioning, longer pad life, high metal removal rates, good planarization, and lower defectivity (scratches and Light Point Defects).

Polishing pads for chemical mechanical planarization

An improved pad and process for polishing metal damascene structures on a semiconductor wafer. The process includes the steps of pressing the wafer against the surface of a polymer sheet in combination with an aqueous-based liquid that optionally contains sub-micron particles and providing a means for relative motion of wafer and polishing pad under pressure so that the moving pressurized contact results in planar removal of the surface of said wafer, wherein the polishing pad has a low elastic recovery when said load is removed, so that the mechanical response of the sheet is largely anelastic. The improved pad is characterized by a high energy dissipation coupled with a high pad stiffness and hydrolytic stability.

Hydrolytically stable grooved polishing pads for chemical mechanical planarization

An improved pad and process for polishing metal damascene structures on a semiconductor wafer. The process includes the steps of pressing the wafer against the surface of a polymer sheet in combination with an aqueous-based liquid that optionally contains sub-micron particles and providing a means for relative motion of wafer and polishing, pad under pressure so that the moving pressurized contact results in planar removal of the surface of said wafer, wherein the polishing pad has a low elastic recovery when said load is removed, so that the mechanical response of the sheet is largely anelastic. The improved pad is characterized by a high energy dissipation coupled with a high pad stiffness. The pad also exhibits a stable morphology that can be reproduced easily and consistently. The pad surface has macro-texture that includes perforations as well as surface groove designs The surface groove designs have specific relationships between groove depth and overall pad thickness and groove.area and land area. The pad of this invention resists glazing, thereby requiring less frequent and less aggressive conditioning. The benefits of such a polishing pad are low dishing of metal features, low oxide erosion, reduced pad conditioning, longer pad life, better slurry distribution and waste removal from the pad surface, high metal removal rates, good planarization, and lower defectivity (scratches and Light Point Defects).

Grooved polishing pads for chemical mechanical planarization

A polishing pad made of polymeric material has an improved surface layer which is provided by treating a surface of the polishing pad with a chemical solvent. Solubility parameter is used to select a suitable chemical solvent. The treated polishing pad can be conditioned in substantially less time than an untreated pad.

Polymeric polishing pad having improved surface layer and method of making same

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Newark, DE, United States of America

David Shidner