Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first metal layer over a substrate, forming a dielectric layer over the first metal layer. The method includes forming a trench in the dielectric layer, and performing a surface treatment process on a sidewall surface of the trench to form a hydrophobic layer. The hydrophobic layer is formed on a sidewall surface of the dielectric layer. The method further includes depositing a metal material in the trench and over the hydrophobic layer to form a via structure.

Abstract: A planarization method and a CMP method are provided. The planarization method includes providing a substrate with a first region and a second region having different degrees of hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity and performing a surface treatment to the first region to render the degrees of hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity in proximity to that of the second region. The CMP method includes providing a substrate with a first region and a second region; providing a polishing slurry on the substrate, wherein the polishing slurry and the surface of the first region have a first contact angle, and the polishing slurry and the surface of the first region have a second contact angle; modifying the surface of the first region to make a contact angle difference between the first contact angle and the second contact angle equal to or less than 30 degrees.

Abstract: Methods for cleaning integrated circuit (IC) wafers after undergoing planarization processes (for example, chemical mechanical polishing processes) and associated cleaning units and/or planarization units are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes configuring outlet areas of spray nozzles to deliver a cleaning solution to optimal locations of the IC wafer and delivering the cleaning solution via the spray nozzles having the configured outlet areas to the IC wafer. Each of the outlet areas is configured to achieve a particular velocity of the cleaning solution exiting the outlet area, such that the cleaning solution reaches a particular location of the IC wafer depending on the particular velocity. In some implementations, the cleaning solution enters inlet areas of the spray nozzles at the same flow rate and the cleaning solution exits the outlet areas of the spray nozzles at different velocities.

Abstract: A slurry composition, a polishing method and an integrated circuit are provided. The slurry composition includes a slurry and at least one cationic surfactant having at least one nitrogen atom in the molecule. The slurry includes at least one liquid carrier, at least one abrasive and at least one pH adjusting agent, and has a pH of less than 7.0. The polishing method includes using the slurry composition with the cationic surfactant to polish a conductive layer. The integrated circuit comprises a block layer comprising the cationic surfactant between a sidewall of the conductive plug and an interlayer dielectric layer.

Abstract: A multiple metallization scheme in conductive features of a device uses ion implantation in a first metal layer to make a portion of the first metal layer soluble to a wet cleaning agent. The soluble portion may then be removed by a wet cleaning process and a subsequent second metal layer deposited over the first metal layer. An additional layer may be formed by a second ion implantation in the second metal layer may be used to make a controllable portion of the second metal layer soluble to a wet cleaning agent. The soluble portion of the second metal layer may be removed by a wet cleaning process. The process of depositing metal layers, implanting ions, and removing soluble portions, may be repeated until a desired number of metal layers are provided.

Abstract: A slurry composition, a polishing method and an integrated circuit are provided. The slurry composition includes a slurry and at least one rheology modifier. The slurry includes at least one liquid carrier, at least one abrasives and at least one oxidizer. The rheology modifier is dispensed in the slurry. The polishing method includes using the slurry composition with the rheology modifier to polish a conductive layer.

Abstract: A chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) system includes a head, a polishing pad, and a magnetic system. The slurry used in the CMP process contains magnetizable abrasives. Application and control of a magnetic field, by the magnetic system, allows precise control over how the magnetizable abrasives in the slurry may be drawn toward the wafer or toward the polishing pad.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a gate structure, a source/drain structure, a dielectric layer, a contact plug. The gate structure is positioned over a fin structure. The source/drain structure is positioned in the fin structure and adjacent to the gate structure. The dielectric layer is positioned over the gate structure and the source/drain structure. The contact plug is positioned passing through the dielectric layer. The contact plug includes a first metal compound including one of group III elements, group IV elements, group V elements or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) slurry and methods of performing CMP process on a substrate comprising metal features are described herein. The CMP slurry may be manufactured using a balanced concentration ratio of chelator additives to inhibitor additives, the ratio being determined based on an electro potential (Ev) value of a metal material of the substrate. The CMP process may be performed on the substrate based on the balanced concentration ratio of chelator additives to inhibitor additives of the CMP slurry.

Abstract: A method includes placing a polisher head on platen, the polisher head including a set of first magnets, and controlling a set of second magnets to rotate the polisher head on the platen, wherein controlling the set of second magnets includes reversing the polarity of at least one second magnet of the set of second magnets to produce a magnetic force on at least one first magnet of the set of first magnets, wherein the set of second magnets are external to the polisher head.

Abstract: A chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) system includes a head, a polishing pad, and a magnetic system. The slurry used in the CMP process contains magnetizable abrasives. Application and control of a magnetic field, by the magnetic system, allows precise control over how the magnetizable abrasives in the slurry may be drawn toward the wafer or toward the polishing pad.

Abstract: A tool and methods of removing films from bevel regions of wafers are disclosed. The bevel film removal tool includes an inner motor nested within an outer motor and a bevel brush secured to the outer motor. The bevel brush is adjustable radially outward to allow the wafer to be inserted in the bevel brush and to be secured to the inner motor. The bevel brush is adjustable radially inward to engage one or more sections of the bevel brush and to bring the bevel brush in contact with a bevel region of the wafer. Once engaged, a solution may be dispensed at the engaged sections of the bevel brush and the inner motor and the outer motor may be rotated such that the bevel brush is rotated against the wafer such that the bevel films of the wafer are both chemically and mechanically removed.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) slurry and methods of performing CMP process on a substrate comprising metal features are described herein. The CMP slurry may be manufactured using a balanced concentration ratio of chelator additives to inhibitor additives, the ratio being determined based on an electro potential (Ev) value of a metal material of the substrate. The CMP process may be performed on the substrate based on the balanced concentration ratio of chelator additives to inhibitor additives of the CMP slurry.

Abstract: A method includes performing Chemical Mechanical Polish (CMP) on a wafer, placing the wafer on a chuck, performing a post-CMP cleaning on the wafer, and determining cleanness of the wafer when the wafer is located on the chuck.

Abstract: A method includes placing a polisher head on platen, the polisher head including a set of first magnets, and controlling a set of second magnets to rotate the polisher head on the platen, wherein controlling the set of second magnets includes reversing the polarity of at least one second magnet of the set of second magnets to produce a magnetic force on at least one first magnet of the set of first magnets, wherein the set of second magnets are external to the polisher head.

Abstract: A method includes placing a polisher head on platen, the polisher head including a set of first magnets, and controlling a set of second magnets to rotate the polisher head on the platen, wherein controlling the set of second magnets includes reversing the polarity of at least one second magnet of the set of second magnets to produce a magnetic force on at least one first magnet of the set of first magnets, wherein the set of second magnets are external to the polisher head.

Abstract: A polishing composition for a chemical mechanical polishing process includes abrasive particles, at least one chemical additive, and a non-aqueous solvent.

Abstract: An embodiment is a polishing pad including a top pad and a sub pad that is below and contacting the top pad. The top pad includes top grooves along a top surface and microchannels extending from the top grooves to a bottom surface of the top pad. The sub pad includes sub grooves along a top surface of the sub pad.

Abstract: A method of operating a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) tool includes attaching a polishing pad to a first surface of a platen of the CMP tool using a glue; removing the polishing pad from the platen, wherein after removing the polishing pad, residue portions of the glue remain on the first surface of the platen; identifying locations of the residue portions of the glue on the first surface of the platen using a fluorescent material; and removing the residue portions of the glue from the first surface of the platen.

Abstract: A method of performing a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process includes holding a wafer by a retainer ring attached to a carrier, pressing the wafer against a first surface of a polishing pad, the polishing pad rotating at a first speed, dispensing a slurry on the first surface of the polishing pad, and generating vibrations at the polishing pad.