Abstract: Process for reducing the concentration of water-soluble carboxylic acids in a hydrocarbonaceous mixture which process comprises (i) taking a sample from the hydrocarbonaceous mixture and extracting the water-soluble carboxylic acids from the sample, (ii) subjecting the extracted water-soluble carboxylic acids to chromatography, (iii) calculating the concentration of water-soluble carboxylic acids in the hydrocarbon mixture based on the chromatography results, and (iv) reducing the concentration of water-soluble carboxylic acids in the hydrocarbonaceous mixture.

Abstract: A method for preserving the integrity of the underlying metal lines during planarization by inserting a nitride layer as an etch stop in an oxide-nitride-oxide dielectric layer underlying a spin-on polymer is described. Semiconductor device structures are provided in and on a semiconductor substrate. A conducting layer is deposited overlying the surfaces of the semiconductor device structures and patterned to form conducting lines wherein a gap is formed between the conducting lines. A first dielectric layer is deposited over the surfaces of the conducting lines wherein the first dielectric layer contains an etch stop layer wherein the gap remains between the conducting lines. A second dielectric layer is deposited overlying the first dielectric layer wherein the gap is filled by the second dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is etched back so that the second dielectric layer remains only within the gap wherein the etch stop layer preserves the integrity of the underlying conducting lines.

Abstract: An improved method of gap filling and planarization in the dielectric layer by combining an anti-reflective coating with a CMP etch stop is described. Semiconductor device structures are provided in and on a semiconductor substrate. A conducting layer is deposited overlying the surfaces of the semiconductor device structures. A hard mask is deposited overlying the conducting layer wherein the hard mask acts as an anti-reflective coating. The conducting layer and the hard mask are patterned to form conducting lines wherein a gap is formed between the conducting lines. A first dielectric layer is deposited over the surfaces of the conducting lines wherein the gap remains between the conducting lines. A second dielectric layer is deposited overlying the first dielectric layer wherein the gap is filled by the second dielectric layer. The first and second dielectric layers are planarized wherein the hard mask acts as an etch stop or a polish stop.