Senior Fitness - Exercise and Nutrition for Aging Men and Women
FREE Article Feed for your website.
Home Ownership Magazine
Party Planning Information
Article Marketing Resources
Bio-Medical Research Article Database
Informative Articles on Life, Love and Happiness
Tutorials on Business to Writing
Famous Quotes from Famous People
Song Lyric Information
New US Patent Information
Comprehensive List of Content by Category
Online Auctions and Shopping Related Articles
Article Search
Most Recent Articles
 

Bad Credit Loans Made Easier by Pre Approval
Category:
Business  

Vitamin supplements by Nguang Nguek Fluek
Category:
Health / Fitness  

How you Can Save Money if you Book Hotels in Central Rome
Category:
Travel  

Universal Life Insurance guide 101
Category:
Finance / Investment  

FINE or VICE Cash Loans
Category:
Finance / Investment  

Why Blogs are so popular
Category:
Marketing  

Office Supplies and Client Relation
Category:
Business  

Buying a Hidden Spy Camera
Category:
Business  

Understanding Flower Bulbs
Category:
Home And Family  

Parenting 101 Get Into a Parenting Class
Category:
Home And Family  

Lanzarote Tourist
Category:
Travel  

A Visitors Guide to Paris France
Category:
Travel  

Personal Accounts Choosing Your Bank
Category:
Business  

Acne A Clean Face First Step In A 12 Step Program
Category:
Health / Fitness  

VOIP security guide
Category:
Computers  

Three Reasons For Becoming A Foster Parent
Category:
Home And Family  

Affiliate Programs MLM Income Opportunity Residual
Category:
Business  

Hepatitis C Symptoms What are the Signs and Symptoms of Hepatiti...
Category:
Health / Fitness  

Sales Success Who Do You Really Work For
Category:
Business  

Stress Testing Tools How to Test for Stress Level DHEA
Category:
Health / Fitness  

Stay At Home CEO How a Single Dad Found Financial Success Workin...
Category:
Business  

Build Your Confidence and Find Your Soulmate
Category:
Entertainment / Television  

Importance of Good Web Design
Category:
Business  

WANT MORE CHANCES OF WINNING THE LOTTERY JACKPOT
Category:
Business  

Eight Strategies to Become a Winner
Category:
Self Help  

Business Property Investment can provide Guaranteed Returns For ...
Category:
Business  

IVR Surveys The secret to Increasing response Rates
Category:
Business  

New Bankruptcy Training Course Provides 7 CLE Credits for Parale...
Category:
Business  

Something new to try What about a head or face massage
Category:
Health / Fitness  

10 Tips for Rapid Fat Loss
Category:
Health / Fitness  

A Guide to Tropical Wall Murals
Category:
Home And Family  

Debt Relief Solutions Get the Way for Financial Relief
Category:
Finance / Investment  

Evolution of Myspace from a social networking website to a marke...
Category:
Marketing  

Top Networking Marketing Opportunities Is There Such A Thing
Category:
Business  

What are you prepared to risk to optimise your chances of intern...
Category:
Marketing  

Using a Free Baby Shower Word Scramble Game
Category:
Home And Family  

To Everyone that Wants to Taste the Love
Category:
Entertainment / Television  

Business Loans
Category:
Business  

PSP Downloads Site Receives 5 Star Rating
Category:
Home And Family  

Did Colorado Kill Doc Holliday
Category:
Travel  

What is franchising
Category:
Business  

Dead Ducks Don t Quack
Category:
Business  

Capital and Repayment Mortgages
Category:
Finance / Investment  

Three Online Stock Trading Systems
Category:
Finance / Investment  

Compare Gyms and Save
Category:
Health / Fitness  

What are the Health Benefits of an Infrared Sauna
Category:
Health / Fitness  

Timeframe of long term SEO results
Category:
Marketing  

Why You Might Consider Enhancement After LASIK Laser Eye Surgery...
Category:
Health / Fitness  

One Way Links and Reciprocal Link Exchange and Traffic
Category:
Marketing  

Avoid Cold Calling Download Ebook Free Online
Category:
Business  

handbags
Category:
Computers  

Cottage Getaway to Plan Book early to secure your Cottage Rental...
Category:
Travel  

Understanding Teen Acne
Category:
Home And Family  

12 Cost effective Ways to Keep Your Child Safe around the Home
Category:
Home And Family  

What Are Supplemental Credit Cardholders
Category:
Business  

Equity Indexed Annuity is a Fixed Annuity Now Known as an Index ...
Category:
Finance / Investment  

Using A Data Recovery Service A Quick Overview
Category:
Computers  

Hemorrhoids Exercises to Easy Your Hemorrhoids
Category:
Health / Fitness  

What Comprises a Good Graphic Design
Category:
Computers  

Email Marketing For Success
Category:
Business  

Rx Assistance For NY Citizens By ACIRX
Category:
Business  

Secured Loan
Category:
Finance / Investment  

Are there really free online surveys that pay
Category:
Business  

Bread Makers Why your Kitchen is Begging for One
Category:
Home And Family  

SEO 101 For Beginners Revised
Category:
Marketing  

How to building and managing an opt in list for a website
Category:
Marketing  

The Benefits Of Using Professional Translations For Internationa...
Category:
Business  

What Is A Second Mortgage
Category:
Business  

3 Simple Methods To Building A Profitable Opt In List
Category:
Marketing  

Varieties Of Electric Heating Pads
Category:
Health / Fitness  

7 Ways To Ensure Your Article Never Gets Used By Other Webmaster...
Category:
Marketing  

We Should All be Greatful to Day Traders
Category:
Finance / Investment  

How To Find The Best PDA Phones On The Market Even If You re A N...
Category:
Computers  

Making Your Resource Box Work
Category:
Marketing  

Unraveling some of the myths about email promotion
Category:
Marketing

Cellulose-containing polishing compositions and methods relating thereto Number:7,086,935 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent

Home    Author Login    Submit Article    Article Search    Add Your Link    Edit Your Link    Contact Us    Advertising    Disclaimer

   

 
Web LinkGrinder.com

Top Breaking News
     Greek, Cypriot Leaders Resume Unification Talks in Nicosia by Nathan Morley
     Indonesia Tobacco Sales Grow, Raising Health Fears
     South Korea Allows Top Defector to Travel Overseas by VOA News

Title: Cellulose-containing polishing compositions and methods relating thereto

Abstract: An aqueous composition is useful for chemical mechanical polishing of a patterned semiconductor wafer containing a nonferrous metal. The composition comprises an oxidizer, an inhibitor for the nonferrous metal, 0.001 to 15 weight percent of a water soluble modified cellulose, non-saccaride water soluble polymer, 0 to 15 weight percent phosphorus compound, 0.005 to 10 weight percent of a water miscible organic solvent, and water.

Patent Number: 7,086,935 Issued on 08/08/2006 to Wang


Inventors: Wang; Hongyu (Wilmington, DE)
Assignee: Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials CMP Holdings, Inc. (Wilmington, DE)
Appl. No.: 10/996,663
Filed: November 24, 2004


Current U.S. Class: 451/41 ; 438/693; 51/307
Current International Class: C09G 1/02 (20060101); C09G 1/04 (20060101)
Field of Search: 451/36,41,559 438/689,690,691,692,693 51/298,302,303,307,308,309


References Cited [Referenced By]

U.S. Patent Documents
6117775 September 2000 Kondo et al.
6326299 December 2001 Homma et al.
6562719 May 2003 Kondo et al.
6585568 July 2003 Tsuchiya et al.
6605537 August 2003 Bian et al.
6620037 September 2003 Kaufman et al.
6632259 October 2003 Weinstein et al.
2003/0143848 July 2003 Steckenrider et al.
2003/0181345 September 2003 Bian
2003/0219982 November 2003 Kurata et al.
2003/0228763 December 2003 Schroeder et al.
2004/0023492 February 2004 Bian et al.
2004/0092102 May 2004 Li et al.
2005/0199589 September 2005 Hirabayashi et al.
Foreign Patent Documents
1 211 717 Jun., 2002 EP
1 223 609 Jul., 2002 EP
WO 99/64527 Dec., 1999 WO
WO 01/14496 Mar., 2001 WO
WO 02/094957 Nov., 2002 WO
Primary Examiner: Ackun Jr.; Jacob K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Biederman; Blake T.

Claims



The invention claimed is:

1. An aqueous composition useful for chemical mechanical polishing of a patterned semiconductor wafer containing a nonferrous metal comprising an oxidizer, an inhibitor for the nonferrous metal, 0.001 to 15 weight percent of a water soluble modified cellulose, non-saccaride water soluble polymer, 0 to 15 weight percent phosphorus compound, 0.005 to 10 weight percent of a water miscible organic solvent, and water.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the water miscible organic solvent contains an alcohol or ketone.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the water soluble modified cellulose is modified with a carboxylic acid functionality selected from at least one of carboxy methyl cellulose, agar gum, arabic gum, ghatti gum, karaya gum, guar gum, pectin, locust bean gum, tragacanth gums, tamarind gum, carrageenan gum, and xantham gum, modified starch, alginic acid, mannuronic acid, guluronic acid, and their derivatives and copolymers.

4. The composition of claim 3 wherein the water soluble modified cellulose is carboxy methyl cellulose.

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition is abrasive-free.

6. An aqueous composition useful for chemical mechanical polishing of a patterned semiconductor wafer containing a nonferrous metal comprising 0 to 25 weight percent oxidizer, 0.01 to 15 weight percent inhibitor for the nonferrous metal, 0.005 to 5 weight percent of a water soluble modified cellulose, 0.005 to 5 weight percent non-saccaride water soluble polymer, 0.05 to 10 weight percent phosphorus compound, 0.01 to 7.5 weight percent of a water miscible alcohol or ketone, 0.01 to 15 complexing agent, 0 to 3 weight percent abrasive and water.

7. The composition of claim 6 wherein the water soluble modified cellulose is carboxy methyl cellulose.

8. The composition of claim 6 wherein the non-saccaride water soluble polymer is a copolymer formed with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid.

9. The composition of claim 6 wherein the composition is abrasive-free.

10. A method for CMP of a semiconductor wafer containing a metal comprising, a) contacting the wafer with a polishing composition, the polishing composition comprising an oxidizer, an inhibitor for the nonferrous metal, 0.001 to 15 weight percent of a water soluble modified cellulose, non-saccaride water soluble polymer, 0 to 15 weight percent phosphorus compound, 0.005 to 10 weight percent of a water miscible organic solvent, and water; and b) polishing the wafer with a polishing pad.
Description



BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of semiconductor wafer materials and, more particularly, to CMP compositions and methods for polishing metal interconnects on semiconductor wafers in the presence of dielectrics and barrier materials.

Typically, a semiconductor wafer is a wafer of silicon with a dielectric layer containing multiple trenches arranged to form a pattern for circuit interconnects within the dielectric layer. The pattern arrangements usually have a damascene structure or dual damascene structure. A barrier layer covers the patterned dielectric layer and a metal layer covers the barrier layer. The metal layer has at least sufficient thickness to fill the patterned trenches with metal to form circuit interconnects.

CMP processes often include multiple polishing steps. For example, a first step removes excess interconnect metals, such as copper at an initial high rate. After the first step removal, a second step polishing can remove metal that remains on the barrier layer outside of the metal interconnects. Subsequent polishing removes the barrier from an underlying dielectric layer of a semiconductor wafer to provide a planar polished surface on the dielectric layer and the metal interconnects.

The metal in a trench or trough on the semiconductor substrate provides a metal line forming a metal circuit. One of the problems to be overcome is that the polishing operation tends to remove metal from each trench or trough, causing recessed dishing of such metal. Dishing is undesirable as it causes variations in the critical dimensions of the metal circuit. To reduce dishing, polishing is performed at a lower polishing pressure. However, merely reducing the polishing pressure would require that polishing continue for a lengthened duration. However, dishing would continue to be produced for the entire lengthened duration.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,562,719 (Kondo) describes the use of ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, and methyl ethyl ketone in abrasive-free polishing compositions that do not contain abrasive. These compounds were added to increase the solubility of BTA.

There is a need for a method to reduce dishing of metal in trenches or troughs without lengthening the duration of the polishing operation. Furthermore, there is a need for polishing compositions that leave a surface clear of interconnect metal residue after a short second step polishing time are needed.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention provides an aqueous composition useful for chemical mechanical polishing of a patterned semiconductor wafer containing a nonferrous metal comprising an oxidizer, an inhibitor for the nonferrous metal, 0.001 to 15 weight percent of a water soluble modified cellulose, non-saccaride water soluble polymer, 0 to 15 weight percent phosphorus compound, 0.005 to 10 weight percent of a water miscible organic solvent, and water.

Another aspect of the invention provides an aqueous composition useful for chemical mechanical polishing of a patterned semiconductor wafer containing a nonferrous metal comprising 0 to 25 weight percent oxidizer, 0.01 to 15 weight percent inhibitor for the nonferrous metal, 0.005 to 5 weight percent of a water soluble modified cellulose, 0.005 to 5 weight percent non-saccaride water soluble polymer, 0.05 to 10 weight percent phosphorus compound, 0.01 to 7.5 weight percent of a water miscible alcohol or ketone, 0.01 to 15 complexing agent, 0 to 3 weight percent abrasive and water.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for CMP of a semiconductor wafer containing a metal comprising, a) contacting the wafer with a polishing composition, the polishing composition comprising an oxidizer, an inhibitor for the nonferrous metal, 0.001 to 15 weight percent of a water soluble modified cellulose, non-saccaride water soluble polymer, 0 to 15 weight percent phosphorus compound, 0.005 to 10 weight percent of a water miscible organic solvent, and water; and b) polishing the wafer with a polishing pad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graphical description of clear time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The composition and method provide good metal removal rates and adequate metal clearing with ultra low dishing of the metal interconnects when a semiconductor wafer is exposed to CMP and a polishing composition containing a water miscible organic solvent and a water soluble modified cellulose. In particular, alcohols or ketones, in the presence of a modified cellulose compound, provides an acceptable metal removal rate and clearing of the nonferrous metal, such as copper, with low dishing. The composition may contain a non-saccaride water soluble polymer and optionally contains a phosphorus compound. Typically, such water miscible organic solvents are alcohols or ketones, such as at least one of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, glycerol, acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone. Advantageously, the composition contains 0.005 to 10 weight percent of these organic solvents--this specification refers to all compositional ranges in weight percent. Preferably, the composition contains 0.01 to 7.5 weight percent of these organic solvents. Most preferably the composition contains 0.02 to 5 weight percent of these organic solvents.

The composition of the present invention utilizes 0.001 to 15 weight percent water soluble cellulose modified with carboxylic acid functionality and water miscible organic solvents such as alcohols and ketones. Although the present invention has particular usefulness in copper interconnects, the present aqueous polishing composition also provides enhanced polishing of other nonferrous metal interconnects, such as aluminum, gold, nickel, platinum group metals, silver, tungsten, and alloys thereof.

Preferably, the composition contains 0.005 to 5 weight percent of water soluble cellulose. Most preferably, the composition contains 0.01 to 3 weight percent of water soluble cellulose. Exemplary modified cellulose are anionic gums such as at least one of agar gum, arabic gum, ghatti gum, karaya gum, guar gum, pectin, locust bean gum, tragacanth gums, tamarind gum, carrageenan gum, and xantham gum, modified starch, alginic acid, mannuronic acid, guluronic acid, and their derivatives and copolymers. The preferred water soluble cellulose, carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC), has a degree of substitution of 0.1 to 3.0 with a weight average molecular weight of 1K to 1000K. For purposes of this specification, molecular weight refers to cellulose in weight average molecular weight. More preferred, the CMC has a degree of substitution of 0.7 to 1.2 with a weight average molecular weight of 40K to 250K. Degree of substitution in CMC is the number of hydroxyl groups on each anhydroglucose unit in the cellulose molecule that is substituted. It can be considered as a measure of the "density" of carboxylic acid groups in the CMC.

The non-saccaride water soluble polymers of this invention include acrylic acid polymers, methacrylic polymers and copolymers synthesized utilizing acrylic acid monomer or methacrylic acid monomer. Copolymers include those formed from a combination of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid; and in particular, copolymers formed from an acrylic acid to methacrylic acid mole ratio in a range of 1:30 to 30:1; preferably in a range of 1:9 to 9:1; and most preferably about 2:3. The copolymer preferably has a weight average molecular weight in the range of 1K to 1000K; preferably in the range of 10K to 500K.

Alternatively, the non-saccaride water soluble polymer is an amphiphilic polymer, such as a copolymer formed from acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. The amphiphilic polymers referred to in this specification are block copolymers comprised of a hydrophobic segment and a hydrophilic segment. The hydrophobic segment can be polymeric chains with a carbon number varying from 2 to 250. For purposes of this specification, carbon number represents the number of carbon atoms in the hydrophilic segment. Preferably, the carbon number is 5 to 100 and most preferably 5 to 50. The hydrophilic segment is ionic. The number of monomeric units of the hydrophilic segment preferably varies from 1 to 100. Preferably, the composition contains 0.005 to 5 weight percent non-saccaride water soluble polymers. More preferably, the composition contains 0.01 to 3 weight percent non-saccaride water soluble polymers. Most preferably, the composition contains 0.02 to 2 weight percent of non-saccaride water soluble polymers.

The amphiphilic polymers' preferred number average molecular weight is 50 to 5,000--this specification refers to amphiphilic polymer in terms of number average molecular weight and specifically by aqueous gel permeation chromatography using TSK-GEL pn/08025 GMPWx and TSK-GEL pn/08020 G2500PWx columns in series with a refractive index detector and sodium phosphate buffer eluent. More preferably, the number average molecular weight is between 50 and 4,000 and most preferably the number average molecular weight is between 100 and 3,000. Ionic segments include cationic, anionic, and zwitterions (polyampholytes and polybetaines). Preferably, the hyprophilic segment is anionic such, as polyacrylic acid or a polymethacrylic acid. The hydrophilic segment preferably contains polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid or a copolymer of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. The combining of these segments into a copolymer produces molecules with properties different than their respective homopolymers that facilitate clearing without excessive dishing of metal interconnects. The hydrophobic end of the polymer may include hydrocarbon chains or an alkylmercaptan. Most preferably, the hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments combine in the form of a block copolymer.

The solution contains an oxidizer. Preferably, the solution contains 0 to 25 weight percent oxidizer. More preferably, the oxidizer is in the range of 5 to 10 weight percent. The oxidizer is particularly effective at assisting the solution in removing copper at low pH ranges. The oxidizing agent can be at least one of a number of oxidizing compounds, such as hydrogen peroxide (H.sub.2O.sub.2), monopersulfates, iodates, magnesium perphthalate, peracetic acid and other per-acids, persulfates, bromates, periodates, nitrates, iron salts, cerium salts, Mn (III), Mn (IV) and Mn (VI) salts, silver salts, copper salts, chromium salts, cobalt salts, halogens, hypochlorites and a mixture thereof. Furthermore, it is often advantageous to use a mixture of oxidizer compounds. When the polishing slurry contains an unstable oxidizing agent such as, hydrogen peroxide, it is often most advantageous to mix the oxidizer into the composition at the point of use.

Further, the solution contains an inhibitor to control removal of nonferrous metal, such as, copper interconnect removal rate by static etch or other removal mechanism. Adjusting the concentration of an inhibitor adjusts the interconnect metal removal rate by protecting the metal from static etch. Preferably, the solution contains 0.01 to 15 weight percent inhibitor. Most preferably, the solution contains 0.2 to 1.0 weight percent inhibitor. The inhibitor may consist of a mixture of inhibitors. Azole inhibitors are particularly effective for copper and silver interconnects. Typical azole inhibitors include benzotriazole (BTA), mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), tolytriazole (TTA) and imidazole. Blends of azole inhibitors can increase or decrease copper removal rate. BTA is a particularly effective inhibitor for copper and silver.

In addition to the inhibitor, the composition optionally contains complexing agent for the nonferrous metal. The complexing agent may facilitate the removal rate of the metal film, such as copper. Preferably, the composition contains 0.01 to 15 weight percent complexing agent for the nonferrous metal. Most preferably, the composition contains 0.1 to 1 weight percent complexing agent for the nonferrous metal. Example complexing agents include acetic acid, citric acid, ethyl acetoacetate, glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, oxalic acid, salicylic acid, sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate, succinic acid, tartaric acid, thioglycolic acid, glycine, alanine, aspartic acid, ethylene diamine, trimethyl diamine, malonic acid, gluteric acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, propionic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, 3-hydroxy salicylic acid, 3,5-dihydroxy salicylic acid, gallic acid, gluconic acid, pyrocatechol, pyrogallol, tannic acid, including, salts and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the complexing agent is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, citric acid, ethyl acetoacetate, glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, oxalic acid and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the complexing agent is malic acid.

Optionally, the composition includes 0 to 15 phosphorus-containing compound. For purposes of this specification, a "phosphorus-containing" compound is any compound containing a phosphorus atom. A preferred phosphorus-containing compound is, for example, a phosphate, pyrophosphate, polyphosphate, phosphonate, including, their acids, salts, mixed acid salts, esters, partial esters, mixed esters, and mixtures thereof, for example, phosphoric acid. In particular, a preferred aqueous polishing composition can be formulated using, for example, the following phosphorus-containing compounds: zinc phosphate, zinc pyrophosphate, zinc polyphosphate, zinc phosphonate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium pyrophosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, ammonium phosphonate, diammonium phosphate, diammonium pyrophosphate, diammonium polyphosphate, diammonium phosphonate, guanidine phosphate, guanidine pyrophosphate, guanidine polyphosphate, guanidine phosphonate, iron phosphate, iron pyrophosphate, iron polyphosphate, iron phosphonate, cerium phosphate, cerium pyrophosphate, cerium polyphosphate, cerium phosphonate, ethylene-diamine phosphate, piperazine phosphate, piperazine pyrophosphate, piperazine phosphonate, melamine phosphate, dimelamine phosphate, melamine pyrophosphate, melamine polyphosphate, melamine phosphonate, melam phosphate, melam pyrophosphate, melam polyphosphate, melam phosphonate, melem phosphate, melem pyrophosphate, melem polyphosphate, melem phosphonate, dicyanodiamide phosphate, urea phosphate, including, their acids, salts, mixed acid salts, esters, partial esters, mixed esters, and mixtures thereof. Also, phosphine oxides, phosphine sulphides and phosphorinanes and of phosphonates, phosphites and phosphinates may be used, including, their acids, salts, mixed acid salts, esters, partial esters and mixed esters. A preferred phosphorus-containing compound is ammonium phosphate.

Advantageously, the phosphorus-containing compound of the polishing composition of the present invention is present in an amount effective to increase polishing rates at low down force pressures. It is believed that even a trace amount of the phosphorus-containing compound in the polishing composition is effective for polishing the copper. A satisfactory polishing rate at acceptable polishing down force pressures is obtained by using the phosphorus-containing compound in an amount of about 0.05 to about 10 weight percent of the composition. A preferred range for the phosphorus-containing compound is about 0.1 to about 5 weight percent of the composition. Most preferably, the phosphorus-containing compound is about 0.3 to about 2 weight percent of the composition.

The compounds provide efficacy over a broad pH range in solutions containing a balance of water. This solution's useful pH range extends from at least 2 to 5. In addition, the solution preferably relies upon a balance of deionized water to limit incidental impurities. The pH of the polishing fluid of this invention is preferably from 2 to 4, more preferably a pH of 2.5 to 4. The acids used to adjust the pH of the composition of this invention are, for example, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid and the like. Exemplary bases used to adjust the pH of the composition of this invention are, for example, ammonium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.

Further, the polishing composition may optionally contain abrasive, such as, 0 to 3 weight percent abrasive to facilitate metal layer removal. Within this range, it is desirable to have the abrasive present in an amount of less than or equal to 1 weight percent. Most preferably, the polishing compositions are abrasive-free.

The abrasive has an average particle size of less than or equal to 500 nanometers (nm) for preventing excessive metal dishing, dielectric erosion and improving planarization. For purposes of this specification, particle size refers to the average particle size of the abrasive. More preferably, it is desirable to use a colloidal abrasive having an average particle size of less than or equal to 100 nm. Further, decreased dielectric erosion and metal dishing occur with colloidal silica having an average particle size of less than or equal to 70 nm. In addition, the preferred colloidal abrasive may include additives, such as dispersants, surfactants, buffers, and biocides to improve the stability of the colloidal abrasive. One such colloidal abrasive is colloidal silica from Clariant S.A., of Puteaux, France. Also, other abrasives, including, those that are fumed, precipitated, agglomerated, etc., may be utilized.

The polishing composition may include the abrasive for "mechanical" removal of metal interconnect layers. Example abrasives include inorganic oxides, inorganic hydroxides, inorganic hydroxide oxides, metal borides, metal carbides, metal nitrides, polymer particles and mixtures comprising at least one of the foregoing. Suitable inorganic oxides include, for example, silica (SiO.sub.2), alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3), zirconia (ZrO.sub.2), ceria (CeO.sub.2), manganese oxide (MnO.sub.2), titanium oxide (TiO.sub.2) or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing oxides. Suitable inorganic hydroxide oxides include, for example, aluminum hydroxide oxide ("boehmite"). Modified forms of these inorganic oxides, such as, organic polymer-coated inorganic oxide particles and inorganic coated particles may also be utilized if desired. Suitable metal carbides, boride and nitrides include, for example, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon carbonitride (SiCN), boron carbide, tungsten carbide, zirconium carbide, aluminum boride, tantalum carbide, titanium carbide, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing metal carbides, boride and nitrides. Diamond may also be utilized as an abrasive if desired. Alternative abrasives also include polymeric particles, coated polymeric particles, and surfactant stabilized particles. The preferred abrasive, if utilized, is silica.

The composition of the present invention is applicable to any semiconductor wafer containing a conductive metal, such as copper, aluminum, tungsten, platinum, palladium, gold, or iridium; a barrier or liner film, such as tantalum, tantalum nitride, titanium, or titanium nitride; and an underlying dielectric layer. For purposes of the specification, the term dielectric refers to a semi-conducting material of dielectric constant, k, which includes low-k and ultra-low k dielectric materials. The composition and method are excellent for preventing erosion of multiple wafer constituents, for example, porous and nonporous low-k dielectrics, organic and inorganic low-k dielectrics, organic silicate glasses (OSG), fluorosilicate glass (FSG), carbon doped oxide (CDO), tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and a silica derived from TEOS. The compositions of this invention may also be used for ECMP (Electrochemical Mechanical Polishing).

EXAMPLES

Example 1

In this Example, all compositions contain, by weight percent, 0.50 BTA, 0.22 malic acid, 0.32 carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), 0.1 acrylic acid/methacrylic acid copolymer (3:2 ratio, 23K molecular weight), 0.50 ammonium phosphate, and 9.00 hydrogen peroxide at a pH of 3.5--adjusted with nitric acid and balance distilled water.

An Applied Materials, Inc. Mirra 200 mm polishing machine equipped with an ISRM detector system using an IC1010.TM. polyurethane polishing pad (Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials CMP Inc.) under downforce conditions of about 2 psi (13.8 kPa), a polishing solution flow rate of 150 cc/min, a platen speed of 80 RPM, and a carrier speed of 40 RPM planarized Cu wafers. A Kinik diamond abrasive disk conditioned the pad. In particular, the test determined the effect of the utilization of alcohols on the polishing rate, clear time, and residual copper clearing. For purposes of this specification, clear time represents EPD2 EPD1, where EPD1 is the initial endpoint detection time at which the first sign of barrier layer is detected through the copper layer. EPD2 is the detection time at which the detector sees only barrier layer. FIG. 1 graphically shows this definition of clear time.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1A Dishing Dishing Dishing Dishing Dishing Slurry 90% (.ANG.) 50 .mu.m (.ANG.) 90/10 (.ANG.) 100/1 (.ANG.) 100 .mu.m (.ANG.) A 505 511 1047 1356 619 1 237 219 425 390 246 Note: Dishing values represent the average of the center, middle and edge of the wafer.

Table 1A illustrates that methyl alcohol provides a significant improvement in dishing performance.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1B Methyl Alcohol Cu Removal Rate Clear Time(s) Slurry (wt %) (.ANG./min) EPD2 EPD1 A 0 3810 100* 1 1.00 4074 70 *Estimated

Table 1B illustrates that methyl alcohol provides a significant improvement in copper removal rate and wafer clear time.

Example 2

In this Example, all compositions contain, by weight percent, 0.50 BTA, 0.22 malic acid, 0.32 carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), 0.1 acrylic acid/methacrylic acid copolymer (3:2 ratio, 23K molecular weight), 1.00 water miscible organic solvent, 0.50 ammonium phosphate, and 9.00 hydrogen peroxide at a pH of 3.5--adjusted with nitric acid and balance distilled water.

The experiment measured copper polishing rates and determined the clearing of residual copper from a semiconductor wafer at a moderate down force pressure. An Applied Materials, Inc. Mirra 200 mm polishing machine equipped with an ISRM detector system using an IC1010.TM. polyurethane polishing pad (Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials CMP Inc.) under downforce conditions of about 2 psi (13.8 kPa), a polishing solution flow rate of 160 cc/min, a platen speed of 80 RPM, and a carrier speed of 75 RPM planarized the samples. A Kinik diamond abrasive disk conditioned the pad.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Cu Clear Removal Dishing Dishing Dishing Dishing Dishing Time (s) Rate 90% 50 .mu.m 90/10 100/1 100 .mu.m EPD2- Slurry Alcohol (.ANG./min) (.ANG.) (.ANG.) (.ANG.) (.ANG.) (.ANG.) EPD1 2 methanol 4074 237 219 425 390 246 30 3 1-propanol 3956 313 294 446 589 349 29 4 2-propanol 4270 297 283 419 619 328 30 5 1,2-propandiol 3895 305 288 466 512 349 30 6 glycerol 4892 350 329 554 813 408 27 7 ethylene glycol 3103 314 371 566 631 400 37 8 methyl ethyl 2893 324 365 580 635 373 36 ketone 9 ethanol 2888 302 347 570 597 356 35 10 acetone 5060 322 303 441 517 342 32 Note: Dishing values represent the average of the center, middle and edge of the wafer.

As illustrated in Table 2, the addition of a water miscible organic solvent at about 1 weight percent in the polishing composition gives a good copper removal rate and clearing of residual copper with low dishing. The clear times for these samples were all less than 37 seconds.

*


Free Web Sudoku Puzzles.
Solve with your browser.
9 4              
  8   2   1     6
5       8       9
    5 8 3        
  6 9       5 8  
        2 5 7    
3       1       7
1     7   8   3  
              9 1
What is it?



Add Your Site · Terms Of Service · Privacy Policy


DISCLAIMER
Linkgrinder is a free service that searches the Internet and indexes all files found so that you may search quickly and easily for shared files. These files are created and made available individually by users whose identity we are not aware of and who we have no control over. In essence we function like a search engine tool; these files ARE NOT STORED OR SERVED BY OUR NETWORK. We are not responsible for any materials obtained by using our service. We do not monitor any of the contents of these files. These files may contain viruses, illegal materials, materials inappropriate for minors, offensive files and the like. BY USING OUR SERVICE, YOU ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR DOWNLOADING THESE MATERIALS AND WILL INDEMNIFY US FOR ANY DAMAGES THAT MAY BE INCURRED.

For More Specific Information VIEW OUR TERMS OF SERVICE.

Thank you and Enjoy!