Abstract: Methods for chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), and methods for forming an interconnect structure of a semiconductor device are provided. The methods include performing CMP on a surface of a dielectric structure with a CMP slurry to remove a portion of a metal layer formed in the dielectric structure and having at least a first layer exposed through the surface. In some examples, the CMP slurry that includes an abrasive, an oxidizing agent, and a compound configured to reduce aggregation of the abrasive on the surface of the dielectric structure. In some examples, the compound has positively charged ions that interact with the abrasive to reduce aggregation of the abrasive on a dielectric material. In some examples, the CMP slurry includes potassium hydroxide. In some examples, the compound includes an ammonium salt.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) tool includes a platen and a polishing pad attached to the platen, where a first surface of the polishing pad facing away from the platen includes a first polishing zone and a second polishing zone, where the first polishing zone is a circular region at a center of the first surface of the polishing pad, and the second polishing zone is an annular region around the first polishing zone, where the first polishing zone and the second polishing zone have different surface properties.

Abstract: A method includes performing a first post Chemical Mechanical Polish (CMP) cleaning on a wafer using a first brush. The first brush rotates to clean the wafer. The method further includes performing a second post-CMP cleaning on the wafer using a second brush. The second brush rotates to clean the wafer. The first post-CMP cleaning and the second post-CMP cleaning are performed simultaneously.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for the planarization of ruthenium metal layers in conductive structures. The method includes forming a first conductive structure on a second conductive structure, where forming the first conductive structure includes forming openings in a dielectric layer disposed on the second conductive structure and depositing a ruthenium metal in the openings to overfill the openings. The formation of the first conductive structure includes doping the ruthenium metal and polishing the doped ruthenium metal to form the first conductive structure.

Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A first metal layer and a second metal layer are formed in a dielectric structure. The second metal layer is formed over a portion of the first metal layer. A first composition is provided to remove a portion of the first metal layer. A second composition is provided to form a protecting layer over the second metal layer. The protecting layer is removed to expose the second metal layer. A CMP operation is performed to remove a portion of the first metal layer, a portion of the second metal layer and a portion of the dielectric structure.

Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A metal stack is received. The metal layer stack includes at least a first metal layer and a second metal layer, and a top surface of the first metal layer and a top surface of the second metal layer are exposed. A protecting layer is formed over the second metal layer. A portion of the first metal layer is etched. The protecting layer protects the second metal layer during the etching of the portion of the first metal layer. A top surface of the etched first metal layer is lower than a top surface of the protecting layer. The protecting layer is removed from the second metal layer.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical planarization apparatus includes a multi-zone platen comprising a plurality of individually controlled concentric toroids. The rotation direction, rotation speed, applied force, relative height, and temperature of each concentric toroid is individually controlled. Concentric polishing pads are affixed to an upper surface of each of the individually controlled concentric toroids. The chemical mechanical planarization apparatus includes a single central slurry source or includes individual slurry sources for each individually controlled concentric toroid.

Abstract: A method includes performing a first post Chemical Mechanical Polish (CMP) cleaning on a wafer using a first brush. The first brush rotates to clean the wafer. The method further includes performing a second post-CMP cleaning on the wafer using a second brush. The second brush rotates to clean the wafer. The first post-CMP cleaning and the second post-CMP cleaning are performed simultaneously.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical planarization apparatus includes a multi-zone platen comprising a plurality of individually controlled concentric toroids. The rotation direction, rotation speed, applied force, relative height, and temperature of each concentric toroid is individually controlled. Concentric polishing pads are affixed to an upper surface of each of the individually controlled concentric toroids. The chemical mechanical planarization apparatus includes a single central slurry source or includes individual slurry sources for each individually controlled concentric toroid.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) tool includes a platen and a polishing pad attached to the platen, where a first surface of the polishing pad facing away from the platen includes a first polishing zone and a second polishing zone, where the first polishing zone is a circular region at a center of the first surface of the polishing pad, and the second polishing zone is an annular region around the first polishing zone, where the first polishing zone and the second polishing zone have different surface properties.

Abstract: A method includes performing a first post Chemical Mechanical Polish (CMP) cleaning on a wafer using a first brush. The first brush rotates to clean the wafer. The method further includes performing a second post-CMP cleaning on the wafer using a second brush. The second brush rotates to clean the wafer. The first post-CMP cleaning and the second post-CMP cleaning are performed simultaneously.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) tool includes a platen and a polishing pad attached to the platen, where a first surface of the polishing pad facing away from the platen includes a first polishing zone and a second polishing zone, where the first polishing zone is a circular region at a center of the first surface of the polishing pad, and the second polishing zone is an annular region around the first polishing zone, where the first polishing zone and the second polishing zone have different surface properties.

Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A metal layer is received. A CMP slurry composition is provided in a CMP apparatus. The CMP slurry composition includes at least a first oxidizer and a second oxidizer different from each other. The first oxidizer is oxidized to form a peroxidant by the second oxidizer. A portion of the metal layer is oxidized to form a first metal oxide by the peroxidant. The first metal oxide is re-oxidized to form a second metal oxide by the second oxidizer.

Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A metal stack is received. The metal layer stack includes at least a first metal layer and a second metal layer, and a top surface of the first metal layer and a top surface of the second metal layer are exposed. A protecting layer is formed over the second metal layer. A portion of the first metal layer is etched. The protecting layer protects the second metal layer during the etching of the portion of the first metal layer. A top surface of the etched first metal layer is lower than a top surface of the protecting layer. The protecting layer is removed from the second metal layer.

Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A dielectric structure is received. The dielectric structure includes a metal layer stack formed therein. The metal layer stack includes at least a first metal layer and a second metal layer, and the first metal layer and the second metal layer are exposed through a surface of the dielectric structure. A first composition is provided to remove a portion of the first metal layer from the surface of the dielectric structure. A second composition is provided to form a protecting layer over the second metal layer. The protecting layer is removed from the second metal layer. A CMP operation is performed to remove a portion of the second metal layer. In some embodiments, the protecting layer protects the second metal layer during the removal of the portion of the first metal layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for the planarization of ruthenium metal layers in conductive structures. The method includes forming a first conductive structure on a second conductive structure, where forming the first conductive structure includes forming openings in a dielectric layer disposed on the second conductive structure and depositing a ruthenium metal in the openings to overfill the openings. The formation of the first conductive structure includes doping the ruthenium metal and polishing the doped ruthenium metal to form the first conductive structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for the planarization of ruthenium metal layers in conductive structures. The method includes forming a first conductive structure on a second conductive structure, where forming the first conductive structure includes forming openings in a dielectric layer disposed on the second conductive structure and depositing a ruthenium metal in the openings to overfill the openings. The formation of the first conductive structure includes doping the ruthenium metal and polishing the doped ruthenium metal to form the first conductive structure.

Abstract: A method includes performing a first post Chemical Mechanical Polish (CMP) cleaning on a wafer using a first brush. The first brush rotates to clean the wafer. The method further includes performing a second post-CMP cleaning on the wafer using a second brush. The second brush rotates to clean the wafer. The first post-CMP cleaning and the second post-CMP cleaning are performed simultaneously.

Abstract: A method includes performing a first post Chemical Mechanical Polish (CMP) cleaning on a wafer using a first brush. The first brush rotates to clean the wafer. The method further includes performing a second post-CMP cleaning on the wafer using a second brush. The second brush rotates to clean the wafer. The first post-CMP cleaning and the second post-CMP cleaning are performed simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A dielectric structure is received. The dielectric structure includes a metal layer stack formed therein. The metal layer stack includes at least a first metal layer and a second metal layer, and the first metal layer and the second metal layer are exposed through a surface of the dielectric structure. A first composition is provided to remove a portion of the first metal layer from the surface of the dielectric structure. A second composition is provided to form a protecting layer over the second metal layer. The protecting layer is removed from the second metal layer. A CMP operation is performed to remove a portion of the second metal layer. In some embodiments, the protecting layer protects the second metal layer during the removal of the portion of the first metal layer.