Abstract: A method and apparatus for polishing a substrate that includes a polishing article comprising a polymeric sheet having a raised surface texture, which is formed on the surface of the polymeric sheet is provided. According to one or more implementations of the present disclosure, an advanced polishing article has been developed, which does not require abrasive pad conditioning. In some implementations of the present disclosure, the advanced polishing article comprises a polymeric sheet having a polishing surface with a raised surface texture or “micro-features” and/or a plurality of grooves or “macro-features” formed in the polishing surface. In some implementations, the raised surface texture is embossed, etched, machined or otherwise formed in the polishing surface prior to installing and using the advanced polishing article in a polishing system. In one implementation, the raised features have a height within one order of magnitude of the features removed from the substrate during polishing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for polishing a substrate that includes a polishing article comprising a polymeric sheet having a raised surface texture, which is formed on the surface of the polymeric sheet is provided. According to one or more implementations of the present disclosure, an advanced polishing article has been developed, which does not require abrasive pad conditioning. In some implementations of the present disclosure, the advanced polishing article comprises a polymeric sheet having a polishing surface with a raised surface texture or “micro-features” and/or a plurality of grooves or “macro-features” formed in the polishing surface. In some implementations, the raised surface texture is embossed, etched, machined or otherwise formed in the polishing surface prior to installing and using the advanced polishing article in a polishing system. In one implementation, the raised features have a height within one order of magnitude of the features removed from the substrate during polishing.

Abstract: Polishing compositions and methods for removing conductive materials from a substrate surface are provided. The method includes providing a substrate comprising dielectric feature definitions, a barrier material disposed in the feature definitions, and a bulk conductive material disposed on the barrier material in an amount sufficient to fill feature definitions; polishing the substrate to substantially remove the bulk conductive material; polishing a residual conductive material to expose feature definitions, comprising: applying a first voltage for a first time period, wherein the first voltage is less than the critical voltage; and applying a second voltage for a second time period, wherein the second voltage is greater than the critical voltage.

Abstract: Embodiments of a conditioning head for in-situ conditioning and/or cleaning a processing pad of a CMP, ECMP, or other processing system are provided. In one embodiment, the conditioning head includes a brush disposed in a central cavity. A cleaning fluid is provided through the central cavity of the conditioning head to a processing pad. The brush spins and moves laterally across the surface of the processing pad. The cleaning solution dispensed through the conditioning head dissolves by-products of the processing operation while the brush gently wipes the processing pad. A lip of the conditioning head retains the cleaning fluid and cleaning waste, thereby minimizing contamination of the area outside of the conditioning head. The cleaning waste is removed from the processing pad via passages formed near the outer periphery of the conditioning head.