Abstract: The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising (a) an abrasive comprising ceria particles, (b) a cationic polymer selected from a cationic homopolymer, a cationic copolymer comprising at least one cationic monomer and at least one nonionic monomer, and a combination thereof, (c) a quaternary ammonium salt or a quaternary phosphonium salt, and (d) water, wherein the polishing composition has a pH of about 5 to about 8. The invention also provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate, especially a substrate comprising silicon oxide, silicon nitride and/or polysilicon by contacting the substrate with the inventive chemical-mechanical polishing composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition for polishing a silicon nitride containing substrate. The composition includes an aqueous carrier; cationic silica particles dispersed in the aqueous carrier, the cationic silica abrasive particles having a zeta potential of at least 10 mV in the polishing composition; a polishing additive selected from the group consisting of a polyether amine, a polysilamine, a polyvinylimidazole, and a combination thereof, wherein the polyether amine and the polysilamine have corresponding weight average molecular weights of about 1,000 g/mol or less. The composition has a pH of greater than about 6. A method for polishing a silicon nitride containing substrate is also provided.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing pad includes a surface portion of a first material. The surface portion includes a plurality of grooves. A first portion of the grooves are exposed grooves located at a surface of the chemical mechanical polishing pad. A second portion of the grooves are buried grooves embedded below the surface of the chemical mechanical polishing pad, such that, during use of the chemical mechanical polishing pad, one or more of the buried grooves are exposed at the surface.