Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Skjerven Morrell LLP
  • Patent number: 6498131
    Abstract: The present invention relates to chemical compositions and methods of use for cleaning CMP equipment, including the interiors of delivery conduits carrying CMP slurry to the necessary sites. The chemical compositions of the present invention are also useful for post-CMP cleaning of the wafer itself. Three classes of cleaning compositions are described, all of which are aqueous solutions. One class operates in a preferable pH range from about 11 to about 12 and preferably contains one or more non-ionic surfactants, one or more simple amines, a surfactant or sticking agent, such as one or more soluble dialcohol organic compounds, and one or more quaternary amines. A second class of cleaning composition operates in a preferable pH range of approximately 8.5 and contains one or more of citric acid, lactic acid, and oxalic acid. A third class of compositions is acidic, having a preferable pH range from about 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Small, Joo-Yun Lee