Abstract: A cleaning process of wafer polishing pad, the process includes providing a wafer polishing pad, performing a planarization process with the wafer polishing pad, leaving a residue on the wafer polishing pad after the planarization process, and performing a cleaning step with a cleaning nozzle to remove the residue, the cleaning nozzle comprises at least one Y-shaped pipe, one end of which is a water outlet, and the other two ends are respectively a water inlet and an air inlet, wherein a cleaning liquid flows from the water inlet to the water outlet, and a pressurized gas flows in from the air inlet.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for controlling a polishing process. The method comprises steps of providing a first wafer, wherein a thin film is located over the first wafer. A film average thickness distribution is obtained by measuring a plurality of thickness values of the thin film on a plurality regions over the wafer respectively. A removal rate recipe is determined according to the film average thickness distribution. A polishing process is performed according to the removal rate recipe.

Abstract: A multi-step planarizing and polishing method includes performing a first and a second polishing steps, wherein one of the two polishing steps is performed using a silica abrasive based slurry, while the other one of the two polishing steps is performed using a CeO2 abrasive based slurry. A third polishing step is further performed using a fixed abrasive pad. Further, the thickness deviation of wafers entering the third polishing step is controlled.

Abstract: A post-CMP wafer is loaded into a buffer unit of a cleaning apparatus and is kept moist by adding a chemical. The post-CMP wafer is then loaded into a cleaning unit of the cleaning apparatus for performing the following cleaning process. The chemical added in the buffer unit is used to reduce the adhesion of benzotriazole (BTA) for improving the cleanliness of the post-CMP wafer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for controlling a polishing process. The method comprises steps of providing a first wafer, wherein a thin film is located over the first wafer. A film average thickness distribution is obtained by measuring a plurality of thickness values of the thin film on a plurality regions over the wafer respectively. A removal rate recipe is determined according to the film average thickness distribution. A polishing process is performed according to the removal rate recipe.

Abstract: A wafer carrier gap washer includes at least one wafer carrier head and at least one nozzle installed on a wafer load/unload mechanism. The wafer carrier head has a flexible membrane and a retaining ring for holding a wafer beneath the wafer carrier head during a CMP process. The nozzle sprays fluid toward a gap between the flexible membrane and the retaining ring so as to wash the gap and remove slurry residues produced in the CMP process.

Abstract: A method for chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) includes a rinsing process performed to clean an orifice of a slurry supplier and other elements of a CMP device. The CMP device includes least one nozzle disposed in the periphery of a base. The function of the nozzle is to spray DI water to the orifice of the slurry supplier so as to prevent slurry residue and clogging.