Abstract: A method and structure for a microelectronic device comprises a first film over a substrate, a first polish resistant layer over the first film, a second film over the first polish resistant layer, a second polish resistant layer over the second film, wherein the first and second polish resistant layers comprise diamond-like carbon. The first film comprises an electrically resistive material, while the second film comprises low resistance conductive material. The first film is an electrical resistor embodied as a magnetic read sensor. The electrically resistive material is sensitive to magnetic fields. The device further comprises a generally vertical junction between the first and second films and a dielectric film abutted to the electrically resistive material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for polishing substrates comprising conductive and low k dielectric materials with reduced or minimum substrate surface damage and delamination. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate including positioning a substrate having a conductive material formed thereon in a polishing apparatus having one or more rotational carrier heads and one or more rotatable platens, wherein the carrier head comprises a retaining ring and a membrane for securing a substrate and the platen has a polishing article disposed thereon, contacting the substrate surface and the polishing article to each other at a retaining ring contact pressure of about 0.4 psi or greater than a membrane pressure, and polishing the substrate to remove conductive material.

Abstract: A magnetic write head for us in perpendicular magnetic recording tapered trailing shield design for improved write flux, and field gradient performance.

Abstract: A method for forming a read transducer by ion milling and chemical mechanical polishing to eliminate nonuniformity near the MR sensor is disclosed. The resist mask is eliminated in the read transducer formation process so that the thickness of the layers near the read transducer has a uniform thickness.

Abstract: A method for milling a structure. A single- or multi-layer resist having no undercut is added to a surface of a structure to be milled, the surface to be milled defining a plane. A milling process, such as ion milling, is performed. The milling process includes milling the structure at high incidence and milling the structure at razing incidence. The milling process can be performed only once, or repeated multiple times. High incidence can be defined as about 65 to about 90 degrees from the plane of the surface being milled. Razing incidence can be defined as about 0 to about 30 degrees from the plane of the surface being milled.

Abstract: A method and structure for a microelectronic device comprises a first film over a substrate, a first polish resistant layer over the first film, a second film over the first polish resistant layer, a second polish resistant layer over the second film, wherein the first and second polish resistant layers comprise diamond-like carbon. The first film comprises an electrically resistive material, while the second film comprises low resistance conductive material. The first film is an electrical resistor embodied as a magnetic read sensor. The electrically resistive material is sensitive to magnetic fields. The device further comprises a generally vertical junction between the first and second films and a dielectric film abutted to the electrically resistive material.

Abstract: A method and structure for a microelectronic device comprises a first film over a substrate, a first polish resistant layer over the first film, a second film over the first polish resistant layer, a second polish resistant layer over the second film, wherein the first and second polish resistant layers comprise diamond-like carbon. The first film comprises an electrically resistive material, while the second film comprises low resistance conductive material. The first film is an electrical resistor embodied as a magnetic read sensor. The electrically resistive material is sensitive to magnetic fields. The device further comprises a generally vertical junction between the first and second films and a dielectric film abutted to the electrically resistive material.

Abstract: A method for providing a liftoff process using a single layer resist and chemical mechanical polishing and sensor formed therewith are disclosed. Chemical mechanical polishing is combined with liftoff using only a single resist layer to allow the removal of leftover fencing on the side of a lifted resist pattern.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for polishing substrates comprising conductive and low k dielectric materials with reduced or minimum substrate surface damage and delamination. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate including positioning a substrate having a conductive material formed thereon in a polishing apparatus having one or more rotational carrier heads and one or more rotatable platens, wherein the carrier head comprises a retaining ring and a membrane for securing a substrate and the platen has a polishing article disposed thereon, contacting the substrate surface and the polishing article to each other at a retaining ring contact pressure of about 0.4 psi or greater than a membrane pressure, and polishing the substrate to remove conductive material.

Abstract: A read head has a bottom lead made of material that is relatively polish resistant and a top lead layer that polishes down more easily than the bottom layer. With this structure, when the layers are deposited and then polished down, the top layer recesses away from the sensor (and bottom lead layer) in a controlled fashion, providing an acceptable lead structure that reduces the mismatch between the read head physical read width and magnetic read width.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for polishing conductive materials with low dishing of features and reduced or minimal remaining residues. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate by polishing the substrate to remove bulk conductive material and polishing the substrate by a ratio of carrier head rotational speed to platen rotational speed of between about 2:1 and about 3:1 to remove residual conductive material. In another aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate including polishing the substrate at a first relative linear velocity between about 600 mm/second and about 1900 mm/second at the center of the substrate, and polishing the substrate at a second relative linear velocity between about 100 mm/second and about 550 mm/second at the center of the substrate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for polishing substrates comprising conductive and low k dielectric materials with reduced or minimum substrate surface damage and delamination. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate including positioning a substrate having a conductive material formed thereon in a polishing apparatus having one or more rotational carrier heads and one or more rotatable platens, wherein the carrier head comprises a retaining ring and a membrane for securing a substrate and the platen has a polishing article disposed thereon, contacting the substrate surface and the polishing article to each other at a retaining ring contact pressure of about 0.4 psi or greater than a membrane pressure, and polishing the substrate to remove conductive material.

Abstract: A method and composition for planarizing a substrate. The composition includes a pressure sensitive solution and one or more chemical agents for complexing with a metal or oxidized metal. The method for removal of a copper containing layer from a substrate surface, comprising applying a composition to a polishing media, the composition comprising a pressure sensitive solution, and one or more chemical agents for complexing with a metal or oxidized metal, and polishing the substrate surface with the polishing media.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for polishing conductive materials with low dishing of features and reduced or minimal remaining residues. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate by polishing the substrate to remove bulk conductive material and polishing the substrate by a ratio of carrier head rotational speed to platen rotational speed of between about 2:1 and about 3:1 to remove residual conductive material. In another aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate including polishing the substrate at a first relative linear velocity between about 600 mm/second and about 1900 mm/second at the center of the substrate, and polishing the substrate at a second relative linear velocity between about 100 mm/second and about 550 mm/second at the center of the substrate.

Abstract: A method and structure for a microelectronic device comprises a first film over a substrate, a first polish resistant layer over the first film, a second film over the first polish resistant layer, a second polish resistant layer over the second film, wherein the first and second polish resistant layers comprise diamond-like carbon. The first film comprises an electrically resistive material, while the second film comprises low resistance conductive material. The first film is an electrical resistor embodied as a magnetic read sensor. The electrically resistive material is sensitive to magnetic fields. The device further comprises a generally vertical junction between the first and second films and a dielectric film abutted to the electrically resistive material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for polishing substrates comprising conductive and low k dielectric materials with reduced or minimum substrate surface damage and delamination. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate including positioning a substrate having a conductive material formed thereon in a polishing apparatus having one or more rotational carrier heads and one or more rotatable platens, wherein the carrier head comprises a retaining ring and a membrane for securing a substrate and the platen has a polishing article disposed thereon, contacting the substrate surface and the polishing article to each other at a retaining ring contact pressure of about 0.4 psi or greater than a membrane pressure, and polishing the substrate to remove conductive material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for polishing conductive materials with low dishing of features and reduced or minimal remaining residues. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate by polishing the substrate to remove bulk conductive material and polishing the substrate by a ratio of carrier head rotational speed to platen rotational speed of between about 2:1 and about 3:1 to remove residual conductive material. In another aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate including polishing the substrate at a first relative linear velocity between about 600 mm/second and about 1900 mm/second at the center of the substrate, and polishing the substrate at a second relative linear velocity between about 100 mm/second and about 550 mm/second at the center of the substrate.

Abstract: A method and composition for planarizing a substrate. The composition includes a pressure sensitive solution and one or more chemical agents for complexing with a metal or oxidized metal. The method for removal of a copper containing layer from a substrate surface, comprising applying a composition to a polishing media, the composition comprising a pressure sensitive solution, and one or more chemical agents for complexing with a metal or oxidized metal, and polishing the substrate surface with the polishing media.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided that may remove the build up of polishing by products from the polishing pad without the reduction in throughput associated with conventional ex-situ conditioning. The conditioning method comprises holding a wafer against a polishing pad with a 0 psi force, and applying a conditioning fluid to the polishing pad while holding the wafer against the polishing pad with a 0 psi force. Thereafter the conditioning fluid may be rinsed from the polishing pad or may remain on the polishing pad while polishing is commenced. The polishing apparatus has a controller programmed to perform the conditioning method.

Abstract: A process for producing activated carbon from agricultural residues by heating the residues to a temperature in the range of about 250.degree. C. to about 550.degree. C. to volatilize organic compounds in the residues and to carbonize the residues and further heating to activate the carbonized residues. Activated carbon produced from agricultural residues.