Abstract: The invention provides a polishing pad and a method of using the polishing pad for chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate. The polishing pad comprises a plurality of grooves composed of at least a first plurality of concentric grooves having a first center of concentricity, and a second plurality of concentric grooves having a second center of concentricity. The first center of concentricity is not coincident with the second center of concentricity, the axis of rotation of the polishing pad is not coincident with at least one of the first center of concentricity and the second center of concentricity, the plurality of grooves does not consist of a continuous spiral groove, and the polishing surface does not comprise a mosaic groove pattern.

Abstract: The invention provides a polishing pad and a method of using the polishing pad for chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate. The polishing pad comprises at least a grooved region and an exclusion region, wherein the exclusion region is adjacent to the circumference of the polishing pad, and wherein the exclusion region is devoid of grooves.

Abstract: The invention provides a polishing pad and a method of using the polishing pad for chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate. The polishing pad comprises a plurality of grooves composed of at least a first plurality of concentric grooves having a first center of concentricity, and a second plurality of concentric grooves having a second center of concentricity. The first center of concentricity is not coincident with the second center of concentricity, the axis of rotation of the polishing pad is not coincident with at least one of the first center of concentricity and the second center of concentricity, the plurality of grooves does not consist of a continuous spiral groove, and the polishing surface does not comprise a mosaic groove pattern.

Abstract: The invention provides a polishing pad and a method of using the polishing pad for chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate. The polishing pad comprises at least a grooved region and an exclusion region, wherein the exclusion region is adjacent to the circumference of the polishing pad, and wherein the exclusion region is devoid of grooves.

Abstract: The present invention provides polishing pads for use in CMP processes. In one embodiment, a pad comprises a surface defining a plurality of grooves with landing surfaces separating the grooves, the landing surfaces together defining a substantially coplanar polishing surface, each groove having a depth of at least about 10 mil and a width, WG, with any two adjacent grooves being separated from each other a landing surface having a width, WL, wherein the quotient WL/WG is less than or equal to 3. In a preferred embodiment, the surface of the pad defines a series of concentric substantially circular grooves. In an alternative embodiment, the surface of the pad defines a spiral groove having a depth of at least about 10 mil and a width WG, and a spiral landing surface outlining spiral groove the having a width, WL, wherein the spiral landing surface defines a substantially coplanar polishing surface and the quotient WL/WG is less than or equal to 3.

Abstract: A method of polishing a metal layer comprising the following steps. A structure having an upper patterned dielectric layer with an opening therein is provided. A barrier layer is formed over the patterned upper dielectric layer and lining the opening. A metal layer is formed over the barrier layer, filling the opening. A first polish step employing a first slurry composition is conducted to remove a portion of the overlying metal layer. A second polish step employing the first slurry composition is conducted to: polish the partially removed overlying metal layer; and to expose portions of the barrier layer overlying the patterned upper dielectric layer. A third polish step employing a second slurry composition is conducted to remove the exposed barrier layer portions and exposing underlying portions of the patterned upper dielectric layer. A fourth polish step employing the second slurry composition and BTA is conducted to buff the exposed upper dielectric layer portions.

Abstract: A process for forming a metal damascene structure. First, a cap layer is formed on a first metal layer, and a dielectric layer is formed on the cap layer. Next, the dielectric layer is etched to form a damascene opening. Next, hydrogen-containing plasma, nitrogen-containing plasma, oxygen-containing plasma, or a mixture thereof is used to perform the plasma treatment. Next, a metal is filled in the damascene opening to form a second metal layer. Peeling of the dielectric layer due to remaining impurities is eliminated by the plasma treatment after etching of the damascene opening.

Abstract: A method of polishing a metal layer comprising the following steps. A structure having an upper patterned dielectric layer with an opening therein is provided. A barrier layer is formed over the patterned upper dielectric layer and lining the opening. A metal layer is formed over the barrier layer, filling the opening. A first polish step employing a first slurry composition is conducted to remove a portion of the overlying metal layer. A second polish step employing the first slurry composition is conducted to: polish the partially removed overlying metal layer; and to expose portions of the barrier layer overlying the patterned upper dielectric layer. A third polish step employing a second slurry composition is conducted to remove the exposed barrier layer portions and exposing underlying portions of the patterned upper dielectric layer. A fourth polish step employing the second slurry composition and BTA is conducted to buff the exposed upper dielectric layer portions.

Abstract: A method for achieving a predetermined electrical resistance of a semiconductor device metal line in a CMP process including providing a semiconductor process wafer comprising at least one dielectric layer for etching an opening through a thickness of the at least one dielectric layer; measuring a thickness of the at least one dielectric layer prior to etching the opening; etching the opening through a thickness of the at least one dielectric layer; measuring at least one dimension of the opening from which at least an opening depth is determined; forming a metal layer to fill the opening; and, performing a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) process to remove at least the metal layer overlying the opening level to form a metal filled opening according to a projected metal filled opening electrical resistance.

Abstract: A method of polishing a metal layer comprising the following steps. A structure having an upper patterned dielectric layer with an opening therein is provided. A barrier layer is formed over the patterned upper dielectric layer and lining the opening. A metal layer is formed over the barrier layer, filling the opening. A first polish step employing a first slurry composition is conducted to remove a portion of the overlying metal layer. A second polish step employing the first slurry composition is conducted to: polish the partially removed overlying metal layer; and to expose portions of the barrier layer overlying the patterned upper dielectric layer. A third polish step employing a second slurry composition is conducted to remove the exposed barrier layer portions and exposing underlying portions of the patterned upper dielectric layer. A fourth polish step employing the second slurry composition and BTA is conducted to buff the exposed upper dielectric layer portions.