Abstract: A method for treating a fluoro-carbon dielectric film for integration of the dielectric film into a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a substrate having a fluoro-carbon film deposited thereon, the film having an exposed surface containing contaminants, and treating the exposed surface with a supercritical carbon dioxide fluid to clean the exposed surface of the contaminants and provide surface termination. The supercritical carbon dioxide treatment improves adhesion and electrical properties of film structures containing a metal-containing film formed on the surface of the fluoro-carbon dielectric film.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a substrate in a film removal system. The method includes providing the substrate in a substrate chamber of a film removal system, where the substrate has a micro-feature containing a dielectric film on a sidewall of the micro-feature and a photoresist film covering a portion the dielectric film, and performing a first film removal process using supercritical CO2 processing to remove the portion of the dielectric film not covered by the photoresist film. Following the first film removal process, a second film removal process using supercritical CO2 processing can be performed to remove the photoresist film. Alternately, wet processing can be used to perform one of the first film removal process or the second film removal process.

Abstract: A method for polishing a metal layer on a workpiece is provided wherein relative motion is produced between the metal layer and a polishing surface and wherein the metal layer has a polish resistant film thereon. The metal layer is first pre-treated to substantially remove the polish resistant film. Next, the metal layer is polished at low pressure between the metal layer and the polishing surface in the presence of a polishing solution. The pretreating may be accomplished by, for example, sputtering, polishing the polish-resistant film in the presence of abrasive polishing solution, polishing the polish-resistant film at higher pressures between the film and the polishing surface, maintaining the temperature of the pretreating step to be substantially between 10 degrees Centigrade and 30 degrees Centigrade, and chemically removing the film.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a substrate containing a micro-feature having a residue thereon. The method includes treating the substrate with a supercritical carbon dioxide cleaning solution containing a peroxide to remove the residue from the micro-feature, where the supercritical carbon dioxide cleaning solution is maintained at a temperature between about 35° C. and about 80° C. According an embodiment of the invention, the supercritical carbon dioxide cleaning solution can further contain ozone. According to another embodiment of the invention, the substrate can be pre-treated with an ozone processing environment.

Abstract: A film removal system for cleaning a substrate containing a micro-feature having a residue thereon. The film removal system includes a supercritical fluid processing system configured for treating the substrate witha supercritical carbon dioxide cleaning solution to remove the residue from the micro-feature, and for maintaining the supercritical carbon dioxide solution at a temperature between about 35° C. and about 80° C. during the treating. The film removal system further includes an ozone generator configured for providing an ozone processing environment for treating the substrate either prior to treating with the supercritical cleaning solution or concurrently therewith, and a controller configured for controlling the ozone generator and the supercritical fluid processing system.

Abstract: A method for treating a fluoro-carbon dielectric film for integration of the dielectric film into a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a substrate having a fluoro-carbon film deposited thereon, the film having an exposed surface containing contaminants, and treating the exposed surface with a supercritical carbon dioxide fluid to clean the exposed surface of the contaminants and provide surface termination. The supercritical carbon dioxide treatment improves adhesion and electrical properties of film structures containing a metal-containing film formed on the surface of the fluoro-carbon dielectric film.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a substrate in a film removal system. The method includes providing the substrate in a substrate chamber of a film removal system, where the substrate has a micro-feature containing a dielectric film on a sidewall of the micro-feature and a photoresist film covering a portion the dielectric film, and performing a first film removal process using supercritical CO2 processing to remove the portion of the dielectric film not covered by the photoresist film. Following the first film removal process, a second film removal process using supercritical CO2 processing can be performed to remove the photoresist film. Alternately, wet processing can be used to perform one of the first film removal process or the second film removal process.

Abstract: A polishing fluid for a chemical-mechanical polishing process, an apparatus including the polishing fluid, and methods for making and using the polishing fluid, the fluid including a surfactant having an aliphatic structure, a buffer for maintaining the polishing fluid at a pH ranging between about 5 and about 14, and a chelating agent.

Abstract: An electrochemical apparatus is provided which deposits material onto or removes material from the surface of a workpiece. The apparatus comprises a polishing pad and a platen which is in turn comprised of a first conductive layer in contact with the polishing pad and coupled to a first potential, a second conductive layer coupled to a second potential, and a first insulating layer disposed between the first and second conductive layers. At least one electrical contact is positioned within the polishing pad and is electrically coupled to the second conductive layer. A reservoir is provided which places an electrolyte solution in contact with the polishing pad and the workpiece. A carrier positions and/or presses the workpiece against the polishing pad.