Abstract: A cleaning method for a wafer is provided. First, a first cleaning process is performed wherein the first cleaning process includes providing a cleaning solution having a first concentration. Next, a second cleaning process is performed, wherein the second cleaning process includes providing the cleaning solution having a second concentration. The second concentration is substantially greater than the first concentration. Next, a post-cleaning process is performed to provide dilute water.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a surface is disclosed. First, a substrate including Cu and a barrier layer is provided. Second, a first chemical mechanical polishing procedure is performed on the substrate. Then, a second chemical mechanical polishing procedure is performed on the barrier layer. The second chemical mechanical polishing procedure includes performing a main chemical mechanical polishing procedure to partially remove the barrier layer and performing a chemical buffing procedure on the substrate using a chemical solution which has a pH value of about 6 to about 8 to remove residues on the substrate after the main chemical mechanical polishing procedure. Later, a water rinsing procedure is performed on the substrate. Afterwards, a post clean procedure is performed on the substrate after the second chemical mechanical polishing procedure.

Abstract: A CMP process is provided. A first polishing process on a wafer is performed using a first hard polishing pad with a first slurry. Then, a buffering process on the wafer is performed using a soft polishing pad with a cleaning agent to buffer the pH value in the first polishing process and to remove at least portion of the first slurry and the cleaning agent by the contact with the first soft polishing pad simultaneously. Thereafter, a second polishing process on the wafer is performed using a second hard polishing pad with a second slurry such that the pH value after the buffering process is between the pH value in the first polishing process and the pH value in the second polishing process. The method can avoid the scratch issue of wafer surface by particles resulting from pH shock and cross contamination.

Abstract: A retaining ring for CMP is disclosed. The retaining ring has a plurality of grooves. The grooves have rounded sidewalls. Because the sidewalls of the grooves of the retaining ring are rounded, the slurry is not apt to accumulate around them and the pad is less scratched. Accordingly, the micro-scratches on the wafer surface are reduced and the yield of the CMP step is increased. Its operational method and application system are also disclosed in this invention.

Abstract: A CMP process is provided. A first polishing process on a wafer is performed using a first hard polishing pad with a first slurry. Then, a buffering process on the wafer is performed using a soft polishing pad with a cleaning agent to buffer the pH value in the first polishing process and to remove at least portion of the first slurry and the cleaning agent by the contact with the first soft polishing pad simultaneously. Thereafter, a second polishing process on the wafer is performed using a second hard polishing pad with a second slurry such that the pH value after the buffering process is between the pH value in the first polishing process and the pH value in the second polishing process. The method can avoid the scratch issue of wafer surface by particles resulting from pH shock and cross contamination.