Abstract: A polishing pad has a polishing layer and a backing layer secured to the polishing layer. The polishing layer has a polishing surface, a first thickness, a first compressibility, and a hardness between about 40 to 80 Shore D. The backing layer has a second thickness greater than the first thickness and a second compressibility greater than the first compressibility. The first thickness, first compressibility, second thickness and second compressibility are such that the polishing surface deflects at least 2 mil under an applied pressure of 1 psi or less.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for process control of electro-processes. The method includes electro-processing a wafer by the application of two or more biases and determining an amount of charge removed as a result of each bias, separately. In one embodiment, an endpoint is determined for each bias when the amount of charge removed for a bias substantially equals a respective target charge calculated for the bias.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for processing a substrate having a conductive material layer disposed thereon are provided. In one embodiment, a composition for processing a substrate having a conductive material layer disposed thereon is provided which composition includes an acid based electrolyte, a chelating agent, a corrosion inhibitor, a passivating polymeric material, a pH adjusting agent, a solvent, and a pH between about 3 and about 10. The composition is used in a method to form a passivation layer on the conductive material layer, abrading the passivation layer to expose a portion of the conductive material layer, applying a bias to the substrate, and removing the conductive material layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electrochemically processing a substrate. A contact element defines a substrate contact surface positionable in contact a substrate during processing. In one embodiment, the contact element comprises a wire element. In another embodiment the contact element is a rotating member. In one embodiment, the contact element comprises a noble metal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electrochemically processing. In one embodiment, a plurality of grooves are formed in a polishing surface of a polishing pad. The grooves are adapted to facilitate the flow of polishing fluid over the polishing pad. Conductive layers are respectively formed in the grooves, wherein the conductive layers are in electrical communication with each other.

Abstract: A conductive polishing article is provided. The conductive polishing article at least has a polishing pad, cathodes and anodes. Cathodes and anodes are disposed below the polishing surface of the polishing pad, and an ion exchange membrane at least partially covers the anodes.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for cleaning an edge of a substrate is provided. The method comprises employing one or more rollers of a first diameter to rotate a substrate; contacting an edge of the substrate with one or more rollers of a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter; and cleaning the edge of the substrate using the one or more rollers of the second diameter. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an edge of a substrate is provided. The method comprises tensioning a first polishing film in a frame; contacting the first polishing film against an edge of a substrate; conforming the first polishing film to the edge of the substrate, the edge including an outer edge and at least one bevel; and rotating the substrate while the first polishing film remains in contact with the substrate. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning an edge of a substrate are provided. The invention includes a polishing film having a polishing side and a second side; an inflatable pad disposed adjacent the second side of the polishing film; a frame adapted to support the polishing film and the inflatable pad; and a substrate rotation driver adapted to rotate a substrate against the polishing side of the polishing film, wherein the polishing film is disposed between an edge of the substrate and the inflatable pad so that the inflatable pad and polishing film contour to the edge of the substrate with the polishing film contacting the edge of the substrate. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Polishing compositions and methods for removing conductive materials and barrier materials from a substrate surface are provided. Polishing compositions are provided for removing at least a barrier material from a substrate surface by a chemical mechanical polishing process or by an electrochemical mechanical polishing process. The polishing compositions used in barrier removal may further be used after a process for electrochemical mechanical planarization process of a conductive material. The polishing compositions and methods described herein improve the effective removal rate of materials from the substrate surface with a reduction in planarization type defects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrochemically processing metal and barrier materials is provided. In one embodiment, a method for electrochemically processing a substrate includes the steps of establishing an electrically-conductive path through an electrolyte between an exposed layer of barrier material on the substrate and an electrode, pressing the substrate against a processing pad assembly, providing motion between the substrate and pad assembly in contact therewith and electrochemically removing a portion of the exposed layer during a first electrochemical processing step in a barrier processing station.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pad assembly for electro-processing a substrate is provided which includes a first conductive layer having a working surface to contact the substrate during a polishing process, an intermediate layer coupled to the first conductive layer, wherein the intermediate layer contains a plurality of perforations, channels, or combinations thereof, which have diameters within a range from about 0.5 mm to about 10 mm, and a second conductive layer coupled to the intermediate layer, wherein the second conductive layer has a plurality of independently electrically biasable zones and is configured to be coupled with a power delivery arrangement. The intermediate layer may contain a polymer material support disk, a backing layer, or combinations thereof. Generally, the first conductive layer, the second conductive layer, and the intermediate layer are adhered or secured together and removable as a unitary replaceable body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending a polishing article lifetime on a polishing tool with multiple platens is described. The apparatus includes an advanceable roll to roll platen with multiple embodiments of a polishing article to be used thereon. The polishing article is adapted to perform a polishing process by removing conductive and dielectric material from a substrate while minimizing downtime of the polishing tool. In some embodiments, the polishing article may be a dielectric material or a conductive material and is configured to include a longer usable lifetime to minimize replacement and downtime of the tool.

Abstract: A method of layer formation on a substrate with high aspect ratio features is disclosed. The layer is formed from a gas mixture comprising one or more process gases and one or more etch species. The one or more process gases react to deposit a material layer on the substrate. In conjunction with the material layer deposition, the etch species selectively remove portions of the deposited material layer adjacent to high aspect ratio feature openings, filling such features in a void-free and/or seam-free manner. The material layer may be deposited on the substrate using physical vapor deposition (PVD) and/or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for cleaning an edge of a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes (1) one or more rollers of a first diameter adapted to contact an edge of a substrate and rotate the substrate; and (2) one or more rollers of a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter adapted to contact an edge of the substrate and to clean the edge of the substrate. The one or more rollers of the first diameter and the one or more rollers of the second diameter may be adapted to rotate at substantially the same speed. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of a polishing article for polishing a substrate are provided. In one embodiment, the polishing article includes an annular upper layer made of a dielectric material coupled to an annular lower layer made of a conductive material, and an annular subpad sandwiched between the annular upper layer and the annular lower layer forming a replaceable assembly therewith.

Abstract: Embodiments of a ball assembly are provided. In one embodiment, a ball assembly includes a housing, a ball, a conductive adapter and a contact element. The housing has an annular seat extending into a first end of an interior passage. The conductive adapter is coupled to a second end of the housing. The contact element electrically couples the adapter and the ball with is retained in the housing between seat and the adapter.

Abstract: Polishing compositions and methods for removing conductive materials and barrier materials from a substrate surface are provided. Polishing compositions are provided for removing at least a barrier material from a substrate surface by a chemical mechanical polishing process or by an electrochemical mechanical polishing process. The polishing compositions used in barrier removal may further be used after a process for electrochemical mechanical planarization process of a conductive material. The polishing compositions and methods described herein improve the effective removal rate of materials from the substrate surface with a reduction in planarization type defects.

Abstract: Electrolyte compositions and methods for planarizing a surface of a substrate using the electrolyte compositions are provided. In one aspect, an electrolyte composition includes one or more chelating agents, one or more corrosion inhibitors, and one or more pH adjusting agents. In another aspect, an electrolyte composition includes one or more chelating agents, two or more corrosion inhibitors, and one or more pH adjusting agents. In another aspect, an electrolyte composition includes one or more chelating agents, one or more corrosion inhibitors, one or more pH adjusting agents, and one or more electrically resistive additives.

Abstract: Embodiments of a ball assembly are provided. In one embodiment, a ball assembly includes a housing, a ball, a conductive adapter and a contact element. The housing has an annular seat extending into a first end of an interior passage. The conductive adapter is coupled to a second end of the housing. The contact element electrically couples the adapter and the ball with is retained in the housing between seat and the adapter.