Abstract: The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising (a) abrasive particles, b) a removal rate inhibitor selected from (I) a surfactant comprising a polyoxyalkylene functional group and a sulfonate functional group, (II) a surfactant comprising a polyoxyalkylene functional group and a sulfate functional group, (III) a first surfactant comprising a polyoxyalkylene functional group and a second surfactant comprising a sulfonate functional group, and (IV) a first surfactant comprising a polyoxyalkylene functional group and a second surfactant comprising a sulfate functional group, and (c) an aqueous carrier. The invention also provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate comprising TiN and SiN with the inventive chemical-mechanical polishing composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising (a) abrasive particles, b) a removal rate inhibitor selected from (I) a surfactant comprising a polyoxyalkylene functional group and a sulfonate functional group, (II) a surfactant comprising a polyoxyalkylene functional group and a sulfate functional group, (III) a first surfactant comprising a polyoxyalkylene functional group and a second surfactant comprising a sulfonate functional group, and (IV) a first surfactant comprising a polyoxyalkylene functional group and a second surfactant comprising a sulfate functional group, and (c) an aqueous carrier. The invention also provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate comprising TiN and SiN with the inventive chemical-mechanical polishing composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising: (a) colloidal silica particles that are surface modified with metal ions selected from Mg, Ca, Al, B, Be, and combinations thereof, and wherein the colloidal silica particles have a surface hydroxyl group density of from about 1.5 hydroxyls per nm2 to about 8 hydroxyls per nm2 of a surface area of the particles, (b) an anionic surfactant, (c) a buffering agent, and (d) water, wherein the polishing composition has a pH of about 2 to about 7, and wherein the polishing composition is substantially free of an oxidizing agent that oxidizes a metal. The invention further provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with the inventive chemical-mechanical polishing composition. Typically, the substrate contains silicon nitride, silicon oxide, and/or polysilicon.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method for removal of a metal layer deposited over a titanium nitride (TiN) or titanium/titanium nitride (Ti/TiN) barrier layer is described herein. The method comprises abrading the metal layer with an acidic CMP composition to expose the underlying TiN or Ti/TiN layer, wherein the TiN or Ti/N layer is polished at a low rate due to the presence of a surfactant inhibitor. The acidic CMP composition comprises a particulate abrasive (e.g., silica, alumina) suspended in a liquid carrier containing a surfactant selected from the group consisting of an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, cation surfactants, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising: (a) colloidal silica particles that are surface modified with metal ions selected from Mg, Ca, Al, B, Be, and combinations thereof, and wherein the colloidal silica particles have a surface hydroxyl group density of from about 1.5 hydroxyls per nm2 to about 8 hydroxyls per nm2 of a surface area of the particles, (b) an anionic surfactant, (c) a buffering agent, and (d) water, wherein the polishing composition has a pH of about 2 to about 7, and wherein the polishing composition is substantially free of an oxidizing agent that oxidizes a metal. The invention further provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with the inventive chemical-mechanical polishing composition. Typically, the substrate contains silicon nitride, silicon oxide, and/or polysilicon.

Abstract: A method of planarizing/polishing germanium is described. The method comprises the step of abrading the surface of a substrate comprising germanium with an aqueous chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) composition comprising an oxidizing agent, a particulate abrasive, and a germanium etching inhibitor. The germanium etching inhibit is selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble polymer, an amino acid having a non-acidic side chain, a bis-pyridine compound, and a combination of two or more thereof. The polymer can be a cationic or nonionic polymer that comprises basic nitrogen groups, amide groups, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method for removal of a metal layer deposited over a titanium nitride (TiN) or titanium/titanium nitride (Ti/TiN) barrier layer is described herein. The method comprises abrading the metal layer with an acidic CMP composition to expose the underlying TiN or Ti/TiN layer, wherein the TiN or Ti/N layer is polished at a low rate due to the presence of a surfactant inhibitor. The acidic CMP composition comprises a particulate abrasive (e.g., silica, alumina) suspended in a liquid carrier containing a surfactant selected from the group consisting of an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, cation surfactants, and a combination thereof.