International Business Machines Corporation

Douglas P Nadeau

Cuc Kim Huynh

Paul A Manfredi

Thomas J Martin

Matthew J Rutten

Marc A Taubenblatt

Donald M DeCain

Scott R Cline

Richard A Bartley

Robert A Jurjevic

John Edward Cronin

Theodore Gerard Van Kessel

Clarence Rosser Ogilvie

David W Milton

Tad Jeffrey Wilder

Robert Dov Herzl

Roger W Cheek

Robert Spencer Horton

Kenneth Anthony Lauricella

Paul Mark Schanely

James Albert Gilhooly

Richard John Lebel

Charles B Winn

Terrance M Wright

Susan L Cohen

Nitin Sharma

Yutong Wu

Charles A McKinney

Raymond G Morris

Robert Albin Jurjevic

Willi O Kalvaitis

Kent R Becker

Michael R Amsden, Deceased

Joseph M Weatherwax, Jr

Michael R Amsden

A design structure embodied in a machine-readable medium is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a flexible logic block to facilitate engineering changes at selected locations within an IC. The flexible logic block has a consistent and identifiable structure such that a simple automated process may be used to reconfigure the structure to perform different logical operations. In certain embodiments, the flexible logic block includes a circuit, such as a multiplexer, having multiple inputs and at least one output. A metal interconnect structure is coupled to the inputs and enables connection of each of the inputs to one of several electrical potentials using a focused-ion-beam (FIB) tool. In this way, the circuit may be configured to perform different logical operations after components in the IC exist in hardware.

Design structure for facilitating engineering changes in integrated circuits

A semiconductor wafer chemical mechanical treatment apparatus having a sectional extended arm carrying a head. The sectional arm is comprised of a fixed yoke and an elongated arm positioned in said yoke on a pivot. The elongated arm carries a first means thereon for establishing and maintaining a given loading or pressure on the head. A second means, is positioned on the yoke, adjacent to the elongated arm for temporarily altering the given loading or pressure on the head established by the first means without disturbing the setting of the first means such that when the second means is reset the given head load or pressure established by said first means is automatically restored.

Brush pressure control system for chemical and mechanical treatment of semiconductor surfaces

An apparatus and method of planarizing objects, particularly electronic components. The off-concentric polishing system of the present invention comprises at least two polishing platens positioned adjacent each other such that the polishing portions of the platens are substantially co-planar. At least one wafer carrier is moveably mounted over the at least two platens such that a wafer may be polished by more than one platen substantially simultaneously. The platen configurations may be in a linear or non-linear configuration such that the wafer being polished is no longer centrally disposed over a single platen but is off-concentrically positioned over multiple platens. The off-concentric positioning of the wafer provides enhanced slurry distribution and endpoint detection. The present invention reduces time and cost in manufacturing electronic components by engaging several polishing conditions simultaneously without the need for sequential polishing.

Off-concentric polishing system design

Semiconductor materials are prepared by CMP with a first rough polishing step using an acidic slurry followed by cleaning a the pad and wafer separately. After cleaning a second polishing step with a basic slurry is used which buffs the wafer. Finally the pad and wafer are rinsed while a low pressure is applied to complete the process.

Method for chemical mechanical polishing of semiconductor wafer

A carrier rinse unit comprising a plurality of nozzles prepositioned to eject a cleaning fluid against a surface of a wafer while the wafer is rotated within a wafer carrier. The prepositioned nozzles may be angled to spray a leading edge, a trailing edge, an outer edge of the wafer, or any desired point on the surface of the wafer.

Wafer carrier rinsing mechanism

An apparatus and method of conditioning a CMP polishing pad to ensure consistent polishing throughout the polishing process. In particular, the apparatus consists of a translatable wedge-shaped conditioning plate, having a three point adjustable contact to ensure proper alignment with the polishing pad; a high pressure conditioning spray nozzle to clean the polishing pad and conditioning assembly throughout polishing; and a slurry dispensing nozzle to enhance planarization of the wafer. Further, the frequency of oscillation may be varied by the operator to prevent grooves from forming in the polishing pad.

In-situ automated CMP wedge conditioner

A semiconductor post-polishing processing apparatus and method employing a non-optical wafer sensor for detecting the presence of a semiconductor wafer within the processing stations. The apparatus comprising a wet processing station, a wafer transport track, and the non-optical sensor. Preferably, the non-optical wafer sensor is a transducer, and most preferably, a piezo element, which emits and detects sound waves. The sound waves are reflected back to the emitter signaling the presence of a semiconductor wafer. The signal is sent to a receiver linked to a processor which is adapted to move a wafer holder situated at the end of the transport track to receive a wafer in the next available empty slot of the holder. The non-optical wafer sensor is impervious to slurry and CMP residue, film build-up, bubbles, wafer color/hue variations, and other wet environment problems.

CMP wet application wafer sensor

The present invention is a contamination measuring device and method of using the same according to a Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) brush cleaner equipment/technology. A collection device is mounted in a brush cleaning device for collecting effluent which flows off of a wafer. The effluent is passed to a particle counter which measures the contamination levels of the effluent. A computer stores the data collected by the particle counter and computes the particles per liter of effluent and provides real time data. The contamination of the effluent corresponds to the contamination of the brushes in the cleaning device and therefore is means for predicting when the brushes in the cleaning device should be replaced.

Downstream monitor for CMP brush cleaners

A polishing pad and method of polishing with a chemical mechanical planarization apparatus includes providing a bulk polishing pad material having a front polishing surface side and a back side. The polishing pad further includes a polishing pad wear indicator for indicating a polishing pad wear during a life cycle of the polishing pad. The polishing pad wear indicator is formed on the back side of the bulk polishing pad material.

CMP polishing pad backside modifications for advantageous polishing

A brush conditioner for a semiconductor wafer cleaning tool including a pair if opposed, rotating flexible brushes. The conditioner is a wing-like structure having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading edge is forced against the rotating brushes flexing them to assist in removal of foreign material. The trailing edge tapers to a point and provides stability to the wing.

Brush conditioner wing

Disc shaped cleaning/polishing pads are disclosed for use on a cleaning/polishing apparatus wherein the surface of the cleaning/polishing pad comprises resilient members arranged in patterns which will facilitate the movement of fluids (deoinized water, chemical slurry, etc.) from the center region of the pad to the periphery of the pad. Arrangement of the resilient members on the pads may be spiral, swirl, concentric or any other suitable pattern which will direct fluids to the periphery of the pad upon rotation of the pad.

Silicon wafer cleaning and polishing pads

A method for cleaning the surface of a semiconductor wafer by removing residual slurry particles adhered to the wafer surface after chemical-mechanical polishing is provided. The semiconductor wafer is subjected to a first polishing step using a basic aqueous solution of a nonionic polymeric surfactant comprising alkylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol, preferably nonylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol, at a concentration between about 30 to about 100 ppm and a quaternary ammonium hydroxide such as TMAH at a concentration between about 2.5% and about 6% by weight. A downforce of between about 0 and 2 psi (1.4.times.10.sup.5 dynes/cm.sup.2) is applied for at least 15 seconds. A second polishing step with an applied downforce of at least 4 psi is then employed while applying purified water. The method provides at least a ten fold reduction in the number of submicronic slurry particles remaining on the wafer surface and can be completed within a commercially acceptable amount of time. In addition, particles as small as 0.007 .mu.m can be removed. The method also provides a level of accuracy in the predictability of the number of residual particles remaining on the wafer surface.

Process for removing residue from a semiconductor wafer after

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Underhill, VT, United States of America

Douglas P Nadeau