Method for controlling polysilicon removal
The invention is directed to a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate comprising polysilicon and a material selected from silicon oxide and silicon nitride with a chemical-mechanical polishing system comprising an abrasive, a polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide copolymer, water, and a polishing pad.
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This invention pertains to a method for chemically-mechanically polishing a silicon-containing substrate layer with a high selectivity ratio to polysilicon.
Compositions and methods for planarizing or polishing the surface of a substrate are well known in the art. Polishing compositions (also known as polishing slurries) typically contain an abrasive material in a liquid carrier and are applied to a surface by contacting the surface with a polishing pad saturated with the polishing composition. Typical abrasive materials include silicon dioxide, cerium oxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, and tin oxide. U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,423, for example, describes a method for chemically-mechanically polishing a metal layer by contacting the surface with a polishing slurry comprising high purity fine metal oxide particles in an aqueous medium. Polishing compositions are typically used in conjunction with polishing pads (e.g., a polishing cloth or disk). Suitable polishing pads are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,062,968, 6,117,000, and 6,126,532, which disclose the use of sintered polyurethane polishing pads having an open-celled porous network, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,233, which discloses the use of solid polishing pads having a surface texture or pattern. Instead of or in addition to being suspended in the polishing composition, the abrasive material may be incorporated into the polishing pad. U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,794 discloses a fixed abrasive polishing pad.
As a method for isolating elements of a semiconductor device, a great deal of attention is being directed towards a shallow trench isolation (STI) process where a silicon nitride layer is formed on a silicon substrate, shallow trenches are formed via etching or photolithography, and a dielectric layer is deposited to fill the trenches. Due to variation in the depth of trenches, or lines, formed in this manner, it is typically necessary to deposit an excess of dielectric material on top of the substrate to ensure complete filling of all trenches. The excess dielectric material (e.g., an oxide) is then typically removed by a chemical-mechanical planarization process to expose the silicon nitride layer. When the silicon nitride layer is exposed, the largest area of the substrate exposed to the chemical-mechanical polishing system comprises silicon nitride, which must then be polished to achieve a highly planar and uniform surface.
Generally, past practice has been to emphasize selectivity for oxide polishing in preference to silicon nitride polishing. Thus, the silicon nitride layer has served as a stopping layer during the chemical-mechanical planarization process, as the overall polishing rate has decreased upon exposure of the silicon nitride layer. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,544,892 and references cited therein describe polishing compositions which provide selectivity of silicon dioxide to silicon nitride. Also U.S. Pat. No. 6,376,381 describes the use of certain nonionic surfactants to increase the polishing selectivity between silicon oxide and silicon nitride layers.
Recently selectivity for oxide polishing in preference to polysilicon polishing has also been emphasized. For example, the addition of a series of Brij® and polyethylene oxide surfactants, as well as Pluronic® L64, an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide-ethylene oxide triblock copolymer with an HLB of 15, is purported to increase the polishing selectivity of oxide to polysilicon (see Lee et al., “Effects of Nonionic Surfactants on Oxide-to-Polysilicon Selectivity during Chemical Mechanical Polishing,” J. Electrochem. Soc., 149(8): G477-G481 (2002)). Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,968 purports to obtain polishing selectivity of silicon oxide to polysilicon through the use of a polymer additive having hydrophilic and hydrophobic functional groups selected from polyvinylmethylether, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene 23 lauryl ether, polypropanoic acid, polyacrylic acid, and polyether glycol bis ether.
Despite these polishing compositions and methods, there remains a need in the art for polishing compositions and methods that can provide good selectivity of silicon oxide and/or silicon nitride relative to polysilicon. The invention provides such a composition and method. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate, which method comprises (i) contacting a substrate comprising polysilicon and a material selected from silicon oxide and silicon nitride with a chemical-mechanical polishing system; (ii) moving the polishing pad relative to the substrate, and (iii) abrading at least a portion of the substrate to polish the substrate. The chemical-mechanical polishing system comprises an abrasive, about 1 ppm to about 1000 ppm, based on the total weight of the liquid carrier and any components dissolved or suspended therein, of a polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide copolymer surfactant having an HLB of about 15 or less, a liquid carrier, and a polishing pad.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe invention is directed to a method of polishing a silicon-containing layer of a substrate with good selectivity to polysilicon. The method comprises (i) contacting substrate comprising a layer selected from selected from silicon oxide and silicon nitride and polysilicon with a chemical-mechanical polishing system, (ii) moving the polishing pad relative to the substrate, and (iii) abrading at least a portion of the substrate to polish the substrate. It has surprisingly been discovered that the use of a small amount of a lipophilic polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide copolymer can inhibit the polishing rate of polysilicon while leaving the polishing rate of other layers such as silicon dioxide and silicon nitride relatively unchanged. Accordingly the chemical-mechanical polishing system comprises an abrasive, about 1 ppm to about 1000 ppm, based on the total weight of the liquid carrier and any components dissolved or suspended therein, of a polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide copolymer having an HLB of about 15 or less, a liquid carrier, and a polishing pad.
The polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide copolymer can be any suitable copolymer and preferably is end-functionalized with a primary hydroxyl group or a secondary hydroxyl group. In order to have the desired HLB value of about 15 or less, the number of ethylene oxide repeating units in the copolymer typically will be less than the number of propylene oxide repeating units. Preferably, the number of ethylene oxide units is less than 40 wt. %, less than 30 wt. %, less than 25 wt. %, or even less than 20 wt. % of the copolymer. The copolymer preferably has an HLB of about 12 or less, about 10 or less, about 8 or less, or about 6 or less. More preferably, the copolymer has an HLB of about 8 or less or about 6 or less. Preferably, the copolymer has an HLB of about 2 or more (e.g., about 2 to about 12, about 2 to about 10, about 2 to about 8, or about 2 to about 6), or about 3 or more (e.g., about 3 to about 12, about 3 to about 9, about 3 to about 7, or about 3 to about 5). The copolymer can have any suitable molecular weight. Desirably the copolymer has a molecular weight of about 4000 g/mol or less (e.g., about 3500 g/mol or less, or even about 3000 g/mol or less). Preferably, the copolymer has a molecular weight of about 500 g/mol to about 2000 g/mol.
Typically the copolymer is a Pluronic® copolymer sold by BASF. Suitable Pluronic® copolymers include Pluronic® 17R2, Pluronic®D 25R2, Pluronic® 25R4, Pluronic® 31R1, Pluronic® L10, Pluronic® L31, Pluronic® L35, Pluronic® L42, Pluronic® L43, Pluronic® L44, Pluronic® L61, Pluronic® L62, Pluronic® L62D, Pluronic® L62LF, Pluronic® L63, Pluronic® L64, Pluronic® L81, Pluronic® L92, Pluronic® L101, Pluronic® L121, Pluronic® P84, Pluronic® P103, Pluronic® P104, Pluronic® P105, and Pluronic® P123 copolymers. Preferably, the copolymer is selected from the group consisting of Pluronic® 17R2, Pluronic® 25R2, Pluronic® 31R1, Pluronic® L31, Pluronic® L42, Pluronic® L61, Pluronic® L62, Pluronic® L62D, Pluronic® L62LF, Pluronic® L81, Pluronic® L92, and Pluronic® L101 copolymers. More preferably the copolymer is selected from Pluronic® L31, Pluronic® L42, Pluronic® L61, Pluronic® L62, Pluronic® L62D, and Pluronic® L62LF copolymers. Even more preferably the copolymer is Pluronic® L31 copolymer.
The polishing system desirably comprises only a small amount of the copolymer because using a large amount of copolymer can lead to unwanted inhibition of polishing rate of substrate layers other than the polysilicon layer. Accordingly the polishing system comprises about 1 ppm to about 1000 ppm of the copolymer, based on the total weight of the liquid carrier and any components dissolved or suspended therein. Preferably the amount of copolymer is about 100 ppm to about 800 ppm, about 200 ppm to about 700 ppm, or about 300 ppm to about 600 ppm. More preferably, the amount of copolymer is about 400 ppm to about 600 ppm, about 450 to about 550 ppm, or about 500 ppm.
Any suitable abrasive can be used in conjunction with the inventive polishing system. Suitable abrasives are capable of polishing a substrate surface without introducing deleterious scratches or other imperfections in the substrate surface. The abrasive preferably is a metal oxide. Suitable metal oxide abrasives include, for example, alumina, silica, titania, ceria, zirconia, and magnesia, as well as co-formed products thereof, mixtures thereof, and chemical admixtures thereof. Typically the abrasive is selected from the group consisting of alumina, ceria, silica, zirconia, and combinations thereof. Silica, in particular fumed silica, and ceria are the preferred abrasives, with fumed silica being more preferred.
The abrasive can be combined with (e.g., suspended in) any suitable liquid carrier to form a dispersion or suspension (i.e., a “slurry”). Suitable liquid carriers generally include polar solvents, preferably water or an aqueous solvent. Where the abrasive is included in a dispersion, the dispersion can have any concentration of abrasive that is suitable for polishing. Generally, about 0.1 wt. % abrasive or more is contemplated based on the total weight of the liquid carrier and any components dissolved or suspended therein. Desirably the polishing system will have about 5 to about 20 wt. % abrasive. Polishing systems containing about 8 to about 15 wt. % abrasive, in particular fumed silica abrasive, are preferred. The abrasive (when present and suspended in the liquid carrier), copolymer, liquid carrier, and optional components dissolved or suspended in the liquid carrier form the chemical-mechanical polishing composition of the polishing system.
The polishing composition can have any pH that provides a suitable polishing rate. Generally, the pH of the polishing composition is about 5 or more (e.g., about 6 or more, or about 7 or more). Preferably, the pH of the polishing composition is about 5 to about 12. More preferably, the pH of the polishing composition is about 6 to about 10, or even about 7 to about 9. Even more preferably, the pH of the polishing composition is about 8.
A variety of other additives can be used in conjunction with the polishing system depending on the substrate being polished so as to fine tune the polishing system and achieve the desired selectivity. In some embodiments, additives may be selected which suppress silicon nitride removal so as to achieve high polishing selectivity for silicon dioxide only. For example, amines, ammonium salts, alkali metal ions, film-forming agents, complexing agents, surfactants, rheological control agents, polymeric stabilizers or dispersing agents, and/or halide ions can be present in the polishing system. The additives can be present in the polishing system in any suitable concentrations.
The amine can be any suitable amine, many of which are known in the art. Typically the amine is selected from aliphatic amines, cyclic amines, heterocyclic amines, aromatic amines, polyamines, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the amine compound further comprises at least one polar moiety containing at least one oxygen atom (e.g., amino acids, amino alcohols, and the like). Such compounds can be any suitable such compound and can include dimethylpropanolamine (also known as 2-dimethylamino-2-methyl-1 -propanol or DMAMP), 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP), 2-(2-aminoethylamino)ethanol, 2-(isopropylamino)ethanol, 2-(methylamino)ethanol, 2-(diethylamino)ethanol, 2-(2-(dimethylamino)ethoxy)ethanol, 1,1′-[[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]imino]-bis-2-propanol, 2-(butylamino)ethanol, 2-(tert-butylamino)ethanol, 2-(diisopropylamino)ethanol, N-(3-aminopropyl)morpholine, and mixtures thereof.
Preferably, the amine is present in the polishing composition in a concentration of about 0.2 M or more (e.g., about 0.5 M or more). More preferably, the amine is present in the polishing composition in a concentration of about 0.7 M or more, about 0.8 M or more, about 0.9 M or more, or even about 1 M or more. The amine also can be present in the polishing composition in a concentration of about 1.1 M or more (e.g., about 1.5 M or more). Generally, the amine is present in the polishing composition in a concentration that does not exceed 3 M, preferably in an amount that does not exceed 1.4 M (e.g., about 0.2-1.4 M, or more preferably, about 0.7-1.1 M).
The ammonium salt can be any suitable cationic amine-containing compound, such as, for example, hydrogenated amines (e.g., tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH)) and quaternary ammonium compounds. Such ammonium salts can adsorb to a silicon nitride layer if present on the substrate being polished and reduce, substantially reduce, or even inhibit (i.e., block) the removal of silicon nitride during polishing. A preferred silicon nitride inhibitor combination is a 1:1 equal weight ratio mixture of dimethylpropanolamine and tetramethylammonium hydroxide.
The alkali metal ion can be any suitable alkali metal ion. Suitable alkali metal ions include any of the univalent basic metals of group I of the periodic table. For example, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium ions can be used. Potassium and cesium ions are preferred, with potassium ions being more preferred. Any suitable source of alkali metal ion can be used. For example, alkali metal salts or alkali metal hydroxides (e.g., KCl or KOH) are suitable sources of alkali metal ions.
Preferably, the alkali metal ion is present in the polishing composition in a concentration of about 0.15 M or more (e.g., about 0.2 M or more). More preferably, the alkali metal ion is present in the polishing composition in a concentration of 0.25 M or more, about 0.3 M or more, about 0.35 M or more, about 0.4 M or more, or even about 0.45 M or more. Generally, the alkali metal ion is present in the polishing composition in an amount that does not exceed 1.5 M, preferably an amount that does not exceed 0.75 M (e.g., about 0.15-0.75 M, or more preferably, about 0.2 M-0.5 M).
Any suitable film-forming agent (i.e., corrosion-inhibitor) can be used in conjunction with the polishing system. For example, in STI polishing methods, suitable film-forming agents generally include surface-active agents (i.e., surfactants) that preferentially adsorb to and prevent polishing of silicon nitride. Therefore, suitable film-forming agents include, for example, alkylamines, alkanolamines, hydroxylamines, phosphate esters, sodium laurylsulfate, fatty acids, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyvinylphosphonates, polymalate, polystyrenesulfonate, and polyvinylsulfonate. Other film-forming agents include, for example, benzotriazole, triazole, benzimidazole, and mixtures thereof.
Any suitable complexing agent (i.e., chelating agent or selectivity enhancer) can be used in conjunction with the polishing system. Suitable complexing agents include, for example, carbonyl compounds (e.g., acetylacetonates and the like), simple carboxylates (e.g., acetates, aryl carboxylates, and the like), carboxylates containing one or more hydroxyl groups (e.g., glycolates, lactates, gluconates, gallic acid and salts thereof, and the like), di-, tri-, and poly-carboxylates (e.g., oxalates, phthalates, citrates, succinates, tartrates, malates, edetates (e.g., disodium EDTA), mixtures thereof, and the like), and carboxylates containing one or more sulfonic and/or phosphonic groups. Suitable chelating or complexing agents also can include, for example, di-, tri-, or poly-alcohols (e.g., ethylene glycol, pyrocatechol, pyrogallol, tannic acid, and the like) and phosphate-containing compounds (e.g., phosphonium salts and phosphonic acids).
Any suitable surfactant and/or rheological control agent can be used in conjunction with the polishing system, including viscosity enhancing agents and coagulants. Suitable rheological control agents include polymeric rheological control agents, such as, for example, urethane polymers (e.g., urethane polymers with a molecular weight greater than about 100,000 Daltons), acrylates comprising one or more acrylic subunits (e.g., vinyl acrylates and styrene acrylates), and polymers, copolymers, and oligomers thereof, and salts thereof. Preferably, the rheological control agent is a low molecular weight carboxylate base or a high molecular weight polyacrylamide agent. Suitable surfactants include, for example, cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, anionic polyelectrolytes, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, fluorinated surfactants, mixtures thereof, and the like.
The polishing system can contain any suitable polymeric stabilizer or other surface-active dispersing agent. Suitable stabilizers include, for example, phosphoric acid, organic acids, tin oxides, organic phosphonates, mixtures thereof, and the like.
The compounds recited herein have been classified for illustrative purposes, and there is no intent to limit the uses of these compounds to their noted classifications. As those of skill in the art will recognize, certain compounds may perform differently in different contexts and/or perform more than one function.
The substrate can be polished (e.g., planarized) by contacting the surface of the substrate with the polishing system using any suitable technique. For example, in one typical CMP process, a wafer is pressed against a polishing pad using the inventive polishing system under controlled chemical, pressure, velocity, and temperature conditions and the pad and the wafer are moved with respect to each other. Material is then removed from the surface of the wafer. The substrate comprises polysilicon in combination with silicon oxide and/or silicon nitride. The polysilicon can be any suitable polysilicon, many of which are know in the art. The polysilicon can have any suitable phase, and can be amorphous, crystalline, or a combination thereof. The silicon oxide similarly can be any suitable silicon oxide, many of which are known in the art. Suitable types of silicon oxide include but are not limited to borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG), plasma-enhanced tetraethyl ortho silicate (PETEOS), thermal oxide, undoped silicate glass, and high density plasma (HDP) oxide.
The substrate can be polished with the polishing system with any suitable polishing pad (e.g., polishing surface). Suitable polishing pads include, for example, woven and non-woven polishing pads. Moreover, suitable polishing pads can comprise any suitable polymer of varying density, hardness, thickness, compressibility, ability to rebound upon compression, and compression modulus. Suitable polymers include, for example, polyvinylchloride, polyvinylfluoride, nylon, fluorocarbon, polycarbonate, polyester, polyacrylate, polyether, polyethylene, polyamide, polyurethane, polystyrene, polypropylene, and coformed products thereof, and mixtures thereof. As discussed above, the abrasive of the polishing system can be fixed (e.g., embedded) in whole or in part, in or on the polishing pad. Such fixation of the abrasive on the polishing pad can be accomplished, for example, by blending the abrasive into the aforementioned polymers during the formation of the polishing pad or by adhering the abrasive to the pad after the pad is formed using such adherents as are known.
Desirably, the polishing removal rate of polysilicon is substantially the same as the removal rate of polysilicon would be under the same conditions except for the absence of the polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide copolymer. Accordingly preferred formulations of the polishing system can provide selective polishing of silicon oxide and/or silicon nitride surfaces relative to polysilicon surfaces. The selectivity can be controlled, to some extent, by altering the relative concentrations of the components of the polishing system. When desirable, the method of the invention can be used to polish a substrate with a silicon nitride to polysilicon polishing selectivity of about 2:1 or more (e.g., about 4:1 or more, or about 6:1 or more). Also, the method of the invention can be used to polish a substrate with a silicon dioxide to polysilicon polishing selectivity of about 5:1 or more (e.g., about 10:1 or more, or about 15:1 or more). Certain formulations can exhibit even higher silicon dioxide to polysilicon selectivities, such as about 20:1 or more, or even about 30:1 or more. In a preferred embodiment, the method of the invention simultaneously provides selective polishing of silicon dioxide and silicon nitride relative to polysilicon.
The following examples further illustrate the invention but, of course, should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope.
EXAMPLE 1This example demonstrates the effect of polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide copolymers having an HLB of about 15 or less on the polishing removal rate of polysilicon and other silicon-containing layers.
Six polishing compositions (Composition 1A-1F) comprising 12 wt. % fumed silica and water having a pH of 8 were used to polish a substrate comprising polysilicon, silicon nitride, and borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG). Compositions 1A-1F contained 50 ppm of Pluronic® L121 (invention), Pluronic® L31 (invention), Pluronic® 17R2 (invention), Pluronic® P84 (invention), Pluronic® F127 (comparative), or Pluronic® F38 (comparative) copolymer, respectively. The polishing removal rates (RR) for the polysilicon, BPSG, and silicon nitride layers were determined for each of the polishing compositions at 10 ppm and 50 ppm Pluronic® copolymer. The polishing removal rates were also determined for the polysilicon, BPSG, and silicon nitride layers in the absence of any Pluronic® copolymer. The percent change in the removal rates for each of the three materials is shown in Tables 1 (50 ppm v. 0 ppm surfactant) and 2 (50 ppm v. 10 ppm surfactant).
The data shown in Tables 1 and 2 illustrate that small amounts of Pluronic® surfactants having an HLB value of about 8 or less are effective at inhibiting polysilicon removal without significantly inhibiting polishing of other silicon-containing substrate layers. Contrastingly, Pluronic® surfactants having an HLB value greater than 8 are not significantly effective for inhibiting removal of polysilicon.
EXAMPLE 2This example demonstrates the selectivity of silicon nitride to polysilicon polishing that can be achieved using the method of the invention.
Three polishing compositions (Composition 2A-2C) comprising 10 wt. % fumed silica and water having a pH of 8 were used to polish a substrate comprising polysilicon, silicon nitride, and borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG). Composition 2A (control) contained no copolymer. Compositions 2B and 2C (invention) further comprised 100 ppm and 1000 ppm Pluronic® L31 copolymer (which has an HLB of 5), respectively. The polishing removal rates (RR) for the polysilicon, silicon nitride, and BPSG were determined for each of the polishing compositions. The removal rates and selectivities for each composition are shown in Table 3.
The data shown in Table 3 illustrate that low concentrations (i.e., about 1000 ppm or less) of a polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide copolymer having an HLB of about 8 or less are effective at inhibiting polishing of polysilicon without any detrimental effect on the polishing rates of other substrate layers.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
Claims
1. A method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate, which method comprises:
- (i) contacting a substrate comprising polysilicon and a material selected from silicon oxide and silicon nitride with a chemical-mechanical polishing system comprising: (a) an abrasive, (b) a liquid carrier, (c) about 1 ppm to about 1000 ppm, based on the weight of the liquid carrier and any components dissolved or suspended therein, of a polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide copolymer having an HLB of about 15 or less, and (d) a polishing pad,
- (ii) moving the polishing pad relative to the substrate, and
- (iii) abrading at least a portion of the substrate to polish the substrate.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of copolymer is about 100 ppm to about 800 ppm.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the copolymer has a molecular weight of about 4000 g/mol or less.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the copolymer has an HLB of about 8 or less.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the copolymer is terminated with a hydroxyl group.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the abrasive is selected from the group consisting of alumina, ceria, silica, zirconia, and combinations thereof.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the abrasive is fumed silica.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the abrasive is ceria.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the abrasive is suspended in the liquid carrier.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the amount of abrasive is about 5 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, based on the weight of the liquid carrier and any components dissolved or suspended therein.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the amount of abrasive is about 8 wt. % to about 15 wt. %.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the liquid carrier comprises water.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the pH is about 5 to about 12.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the pH is about 7 to about 9.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the polishing system further comprises a complexing agent dissolved or suspended in the liquid carrier.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the polishing system further comprises an amine dissolved or suspended in the liquid carrier.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises both silicon oxide and silicon nitride.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the polishing removal rate of the polysilicon is substantially the same as the removal rate under the same conditions except for the absence of the copolymer.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 4, 2005
Publication Date: Apr 5, 2007
Applicant: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (Aurora, IL)
Inventors: Jeffrey Dysard (St. Charles, IL), Timothy Johns (Naperville, IL), Paul Feeney (Aurora, IL)
Application Number: 11/243,140
International Classification: B24B 7/30 (20060101); B24B 1/00 (20060101);
