Novellus Systems Incorporated

Vishwas V Hardikar

James Allen Schlueter

Guangshun Chen

Kevin Bertsch

Migdad Selimovic

An apparatus for simultaneously rinsing and drying front and back surfaces of a workpiece comprises a chuck adapted to spin the workpiece, a plurality of posts coupled to the chuck and adapted to support the workpiece, and first and second mechanical arms. The first mechanical arm is adapted to be positioned between the chuck and the workpiece, and to sweep along at least part of the workpiece back surface. The first mechanical arm comprises at least a first rinsing liquid nozzle, and a first tensioactive vapor nozzle. The second mechanical arm is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the workpiece front surface, and to sweep along at least part of the workpiece front surface. The second mechanical arm comprises at least a second rinsing liquid nozzle, and a second tensioactive vapor nozzle.

Apparatus and method for cleaning and removing liquids from front and back sides of a rotating workpiece

A method is provided for removing conductive material from a metal layer deposited on a wafer having die level thickness variations on its surface. The method includes contacting the metal layer with a composition capable of planarizing die level thickness variations while using a current having a current density within a range of between about 5 mA/cmand about 40 mA/cm, applying a first current to the wafer having a current density within a range of between about 5 mA/cmand about 20 mA/cmto remove a first portion of the metal layer to thereby planarize the wafer surface, and administering a second current to the wafer having a current density within a range of between about 20 mA/cmand about 40 mA/cmto remove a second portion of the metal layer and to leave a third portion of the metal layer on the wafer having a predetermined thickness.

Methods of multi-step electrochemical mechanical planarization of Cu

Methods and compositions have been provided for removing barrier layer material from a work piece during an electrochemical mechanical polishing process while protecting a metallization layer of the work piece. The electrochemical planarization composition includes at least one complexing agent capable of complexing with the barrier layer material when exposed to a pH outside of a pH range of greater than about pH 2 and less than about pH 10, a corrosion inhibitor, abrasive particles, and a pH adjuster.

Compositions and methods of electrochemical removal of material from a barrier layer of a wafer

Methods for electrodeposition of copper on a noble metal layer of a work piece are provided. An exemplary method includes exposing the noble metal layer to an electrodeposition composition. The electrodeposition composition comprises a copper salt, a suppressor, an accelerator and an electrolyte. The electrodeposition of copper on a surface of the noble metal layer is initiated by application of a predetermined current density to the work piece. The electrodeposition of copper is terminated upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.

Methods for depositing copper on a noble metal layer of a work piece

A method and apparatus are provided for post-CMP cleaning of a semiconductor work piece. The method comprises the steps of subjecting the work piece to a first cleaning composition having one of an acidic pH and a basic pH and subjecting the work piece to a second cleaning composition having an acidic pH, if the first cleaning composition has a basic pH and subjecting the work piece to a second cleaning composition having a basic pH, if the first cleaning composition has an acidic pH.

Method and apparatus for post-CMP cleaning of a semiconductor work piece

A composition for electrodeposition of a metal on a work piece, which electrodeposition is conducted at an electrodeposition temperature, is provided. The composition comprises a metal salt, a polymer suppressor having a cloud point, an accelerator and an electrolyte. If the cloud point is greater than the electrodeposition temperature, an anion is also present in an amount sufficient to lower the cloud point of the polymer suppressor to a temperature approximately no greater than the electrodeposition temperature.

Composition and method for electrodeposition of metal on a work piece

Methods and compositions are provided for the chemical mechanical planarization of ruthenium. The method includes polishing the ruthenium layer using a low contact pressure and exposing the ruthenium layer to a planarization composition while polishing. The planarization composition comprises a dispersing medium and a plurality of abrasive particles. The method further includes removing the ruthenium of the ruthenium layer as a ruthenium hydroxide if the pH of the composition is in the range of from about 8 to about 12. The planarization composition may further comprise an oxidizing agent, with the ruthenium removed as a ruthenium hydroxide if the pH of the composition is in the range of from about 2 to about 14. The planarization composition may further comprise a complexing agent, with the ruthenium transformed into an ionic state and removed as a ruthenium complex if the pH of the composition is no greater than about 2.5.

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Phoenix, AZ, United States of America

Vishwas V Hardikar