Abstract: A formulation, system, and method for additive manufacturing of a polishing pad. The formulation includes monomer, dispersant, and nanoparticles. A method of preparing the formulation includes adding a dispersant that is a polyester derivative to monomer, adding metal-oxide nanoparticles to the monomer, and subjecting the monomer having the nanoparticles and dispersant to sonication to disperse the nanoparticles in the monomer.

Abstract: Implementations described herein generally relate to polishing articles and methods of manufacturing polishing articles used in polishing processes and cleaning processes. More particularly, implementations disclosed herein relate to composite polishing articles having graded properties. In one implementation, a polishing article is provided. The polishing article comprises one or more exposed first regions formed from a first material and having a first zeta potential and one or more second exposed regions formed from a second material and having a second zeta potential, wherein the first zeta potential is different from the second zeta potential.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to advanced polishing pads with tunable chemical, material and structural properties, and methods of manufacturing the same. According to one or more embodiments, a method for forming or otherwise preparing a polishing article by sequentially forming a plurality of polymer layers is provided and includes: (a) dispensing a plurality of droplets of a polymer precursor composition onto a surface of a previously formed at least partially cured polymer layer, where the polymer precursor composition contains a first precursor component containing an epoxide group and a photoinitiator component which generates a photoacid when exposed to UV light, (b) at least partially curing the plurality of droplets to form an at least partially cured polymer layer, and (c) repeating (a) and (b).

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally provide polishing pads having a composite pad body and methods for forming the polishing pads. In one embodiment, the composite pad body includes one or more first features formed from a first material or a first composition of materials, and one or more second features formed from a second material or a second composition of materials, wherein the one or more first features and the one or more second features are formed by depositing a plurality of layers comprising the first material or first composition of materials and second material or second composition of materials.

Abstract: Embodiments herein generally relate to polishing pads and methods of forming polishing pads. A polishing pad includes a plurality of polishing elements and a plurality of grooves disposed between the polishing elements. Each polishing element includes a plurality of individual posts. Each post includes an individual surface that forms a portion of a polishing surface of the polishing pad and one or more sidewalls extending downwardly from the individual surface. The sidewalls of the plurality of individual posts define a plurality of pores disposed between the posts.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing system includes a platen to support a polishing pad having a polishing surface, a source of coolant, a dispenser having one or more apertures suspended over the platen to direct coolant from the source of coolant onto the polishing surface of the polishing pad; and a controller coupled to the source of coolant and configured to cause the source of coolant to deliver the coolant through the nozzles onto the polishing surface during a selected step of a polishing operation.

Abstract: Embodiments herein generally relate to polishing pads and methods of forming polishing pads. A polishing pad includes a plurality of polishing elements. Each polishing element comprises an individual surface that forms a portion of a polishing surface of the polishing pad and one or more sidewalls extending downwardly from the individual surface to define a plurality of channels disposed between the polishing elements. Each of the polishing elements has a plurality of pore-features formed therein. Each of the polishing elements is formed of a pre-polymer composition and a sacrificial material composition. In some cases, a sample of the cured pre-polymer composition has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of about 80° C. or greater. A storage modulus (E?) of the cured pre-polymer composition at a temperature of 80° C. (E?80) can be about 200 MPa or greater.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing system includes a platen to support a polishing pad having a polishing surface, a source of coolant, a dispenser having one or more apertures suspended over the platen to direct coolant from the source of coolant onto the polishing surface of the polishing pad; and a controller coupled to the source of coolant and configured to cause the source of coolant to deliver the coolant through the nozzles onto the polishing surface during a selected step of a polishing operation.

Abstract: Polishing pads having discrete and selectively arranged regions of varying porosity within a continuous phase of polymer material are provided herein. In one embodiment a polishing pad features a plurality of polishing elements each comprising a polishing surface and sidewalls extending downwardly from the polishing surface to define a plurality of channels disposed between the polishing elements, wherein one or more of the polishing elements is formed of a continuous phase of polymer material having one or more first regions comprising a first porosity and a second region comprising a second porosity, wherein the second porosity is less than the first porosity.

Abstract: Embodiments herein generally relate to polishing pads and method of forming polishing pads. In one embodiment, a polishing pad having a polishing surface that is configured to polish a surface of a substrate is provided. The polishing pad includes a polishing layer. At least a portion of the polishing layer comprises a continuous phase of polishing material featuring a plurality of first regions having a first pore-feature density and a plurality of second regions having a second pore-feature density that is different from the first pore-feature density. The plurality of first regions are distributed in a pattern in an X-Y plane of the polishing pad in a side-by-side arrangement with the plurality of second regions and individual portions or ones of the plurality of first regions are interposed between individual portions or ones of the plurality of second regions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to structures formed using an additive manufacturing process, and more particularly, to polishing pads, and methods for manufacturing polishing pads, which may be used in a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process. The structures described herein are formed from a plurality of printed layers. The structure comprises a first material domain having a first material composition and a plurality of second material domains having a second material composition different from the first material composition. The first material domain is configured to have a first rate of removal and the plurality of second material domains are configured to have a different second rate of removal when an equivalent force is applied to a top surface of the first material domain and the plurality of second material domains.

Abstract: Polishing articles and methods of manufacturing polishing articles used in polishing processes and cleaning processes are provided. More particularly, implementations disclosed herein relate to composite polishing articles having tunable properties such as hydrophilicity and zeta potential. 3D printed chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) pads composed of UV curable acrylic chemistry are generally hydrophobic in nature. Such hydrophobic behavior affects the wetting properties with abrasive-based polishing slurries such as ceria-base slurries. However, in order to increase the planarization and removal rate while decreasing defects, hydrophilic pads are preferred. In addition, it is desirable that the zeta potential (Zp) of the pads be tunable over a wide range of conditions at different pH values. Implementations of the present disclosure include methods for increasing the hydrophilicity and tuning the Zp of the pads with anionic additives and pads produced using these methods.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method of forming a porous polishing pad is provided. The method comprises depositing a plurality of composite layers with a 3D printer to reach a target thickness. Depositing the plurality of composite layers comprises dispensing one or more droplets of a curable resin precursor composition onto a support. Depositing the plurality of composite layers further comprises dispensing one or more droplets of a porosity-forming composition onto the support, wherein at least one component of the porosity-forming composition is removable to form the pores in the porous polishing pad.

Abstract: Polishing pads having discrete and selectively arranged regions of varying porosity within a continuous phase of polymer material are provided herein. In one embodiment a polishing pad features a plurality of polishing elements each comprising a polishing surface and sidewalls extending downwardly from the polishing surface to define a plurality of channels disposed between the polishing elements, wherein one or more of the polishing elements is formed of a continuous phase of polymer material having one or more first regions comprising a first porosity and a second region comprising a second porosity, wherein the second porosity is less than the first porosity.

Abstract: Embodiments herein generally relate to polishing pads and method of forming polishing pads. In one embodiment, a polishing pad having a polishing surface that is configured to polish a surface of a substrate is provided. The polishing pad includes a polishing layer. At least a portion of the polishing layer comprises a continuous phase of polishing material featuring a plurality of first regions having a first pore-feature density and a plurality of second regions having a second pore-feature density that is different from the first pore-feature density. The plurality of first regions are distributed in a pattern in an X-Y plane of the polishing pad in a side-by-side arrangement with the plurality of second regions and individual portions or ones of the plurality of first regions are interposed between individual portions or ones of the plurality of second regions.

Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein generally relate to polishing articles and methods for manufacturing polishing articles used in polishing processes. More specifically, implementations disclosed herein relate to porous polishing pads produced by processes that yield improved polishing pad properties and performance, including tunable performance. Additive manufacturing processes, such as three-dimensional printing processes provides the ability to make porous polishing pads with unique properties and attributes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to advanced polishing pads with tunable chemical, material and structural properties, and new methods of manufacturing the same. According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, it has been discovered that a polishing pad with improved properties may be produced by an additive manufacturing process, such as a three-dimensional (3D) printing process. Embodiments of the present disclosure thus may provide an advanced polishing pad that has discrete features and geometries, formed from at least two different materials that include functional polymers, functional oligomers, reactive diluents, addition polymer precursor compounds, catalysts, and curing agents.

Abstract: Methods and formulations for manufacturing polishing articles used in polishing processes are provided. In one implementation, a UV curable resin precursor composition is provided. The UV curable resin precursor comprises a precursor formulation. The precursor formulation comprises a first resin precursor component that comprises a semi-crystalline radiation curable oligomeric material, wherein the semi-crystalline radiation curable oligomeric material is selected from a semi-crystalline aliphatic polyester urethane acrylate, a semi-crystalline aliphatic polycarbonate urethane acrylate, a semi-crystalline aliphatic polyether urethane acrylate, or combinations thereof. The precursor formulation further comprises a second resin precursor component that comprises a monofunctional or multifunctional acrylate monomer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a polishing layer of a polishing pad includes successively depositing a plurality of layers with a 3D printer, each layer of the plurality of polishing layers deposited by ejecting a pad material precursor from a nozzle and solidifying the pad material precursor to form a solidified pad material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to advanced polishing pads with tunable chemical, material and structural properties, and new methods of manufacturing the same. According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, it has been discovered that a polishing pad with improved properties may be produced by an additive manufacturing process, such as a three-dimensional (3D) printing process. Embodiments of the present disclosure thus may provide an advanced polishing pad that has discrete features and geometries, formed from at least two different materials that include functional polymers, functional oligomers, reactive diluents, addition polymer precursor compounds, catalysts, and curing agents.