Abstract: The invention relates to a chemical etching composition and to methods to produce a photovoltaic cell with transparent regions. The methods comprise a step to locally dispense an etching composition on the photovoltaic cell in a pattern, or adjacent to the edge thereof; an optional step to apply heat to the cell; and a step to remove the etching composition. The methods are further characterized by the chemical removal of one or more chemically distinctive layers of the photovoltaic cell where the etching composition is applied. The methods may be used to produce a thin film photovoltaic panel.

Abstract: An additive containing a hexafluorosilicic acid solution (H2SiF6+H2O) is sequentially inputted into a phosphoric acid solution pooled in an immersion bath from an additive input mechanism. Further, a trap agent containing a fluoroboric acid solution (HBF4+H2O) is inputted into the phosphoric acid solution from a trap agent input mechanism. F? which accelerates etching of a silicon nitride film is added as appropriate by sequentially inputting the additive and siloxane which increases by the sequential input is etched with hydrofluoric acid generated by decomposition of the fluoroboric acid, to thereby suppress a significant increase in the concentration of siloxane. This makes it possible to maintain respective initial etching rates of the silicon nitride film and a silicon oxide film.

Abstract: The invention provides a metal polishing composition that is used in chemical mechanical polishing in production of a semiconductor device, and includes an oxidizing agent, an abrasive grain, and at least one compound selected from compounds represented by the following formula (I) and the following formula (II). The invention also provides a chemical mechanical polishing method that uses the metal polishing composition. In formula (I), R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and Ph represents a phenyl ring. In formula (II), R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and Ph represents a phenyl ring.

Abstract: An etching composition for preventing from leaning a capacitor contains hydrofluoric acid (HF), ammonium fluoride (NH4F), an alkyl ammonium fluoride (ReNH3F; where Re is a C1-C10 linear or branched alkyl radical), a surfactant, an alcohol compound, and water. The composition can effectively suppress the leaning phenomenon of capacitors during the formation of the capacitors, so that height of the storage node of the capacitor can be secured, capacitors with improved capacitance can be manufactured, and the process can be adapted to the production of both present and future devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a concentrate for use in chemical mechanical polishing slurries, and a method of diluting that concentrate to a point of use slurry. The concentrate comprises abrasive, complexing agent, and corrosion inhibitor, and the concentrate is diluted with water and oxidizer. These components are present in amounts such that the concentrate can be diluted at very high dilution ratios, without affecting the polishing performance.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a concentrate for use in chemical mechanical polishing slurries, and a method of diluting that concentrate to a point of use slurry. The concentrate comprises abrasive, complexing agent, and corrosion inhibitor, and the concentrate is diluted with water and oxidizer. These components are present in amounts such that the concentrate can be diluted at very high dilution ratios, without affecting the polishing performance.

Abstract: An aluminum etchant includes 3-30 wt % of hydrochloric acid, 4-20 wt % of sulfuric acid, and water for the rest. The etchant can produce circuits of 200-25 ?m wide on an aluminum foil or aluminum plate. The circuit has good quality. Therefore, the invention is suitable for miniaturized products that require higher precision.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adjuvant for use in simultaneous polishing of a cationically charged material and an anionically charged material, which forms an adsorption layer on the cationically charged material in order to increase polishing selectivity of the anionically charged material, wherein the adjuvant comprises a polyelectrolyte salt containing: (a) a mixture of a linear polyelectrolyte having a weight average molecular weight of 2,000˜50,000 with a graft type polyelectrolyte that has a weight average molecular weight of 1,000˜20,000 and comprises a backbone and a side chain; and (b) a basic material. CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) slurry comprising the above adjuvant and abrasive particles is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a chemical etchant which is capable of removing Ge and Ge-rich SiGe alloys in a controlled manner. The chemical etchant of the present disclosure includes a mixture of a halogen-containing acid, hydrogen peroxide, and water. Water is present in the mixture in an amount of greater than 90% by volume of the entire mixture. The present disclosure also provides a method of making such a chemical etchant. The method includes mixing, in any order, a halogen-containing acid and hydrogen peroxide to provide a halogen-containing acid/hydrogen peroxide mixture, and adding water to the halogen-containing acid/hydrogen peroxide mixture. Also disclosed is a method of etching a Ge or Ge-rich SiGe alloy utilizing the chemical etchant of the present application.

Abstract: Methods for preventing isotropic removal of materials at corners formed by seams, keyholes, and other anomalies in films or other structures include use of etch blockers to cover or coat such corners. This covering or coating prevents exposure of the corners to isotropic etch solutions and cleaning solutions and, thus, prevents higher material removal rates at the corners than at smoother areas of the structure or film from which material is removed. Solutions, including wet etchants and cleaning solutions, that include at least one type of etch blocker are also disclosed, as are systems for preventing higher rates of material removal at corners formed by seams, crevices, or recesses in a film or other structure. Semiconductor device structures in which etch blockers are located so as to prevent isotropic etchants from removing material from corners of seams, crevices, or recesses in a surface of a film or other structure at undesirably high rates are also disclosed.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersion comprising cerium oxide and silicon dioxide, obtainable by first mixing a cerium oxide starting dispersion and a silicon dioxide starting dispersion while stirring, and then dispersing at a shear rate of 10000 to 30000 s?1, wherein a) the cerium oxide starting dispersion—contains 0.5 to 30% by weight of cerium oxide particles as the solid phase, —a d5o of the particle size distribution of 10 to 100 nm—and has a pH of 1 to 7, and b) the silicon dioxide starting dispersion—contains 0.1 to 30% by weight of colloidal silicon dioxide particles as the solid phase, has a d5o of the particle size distribution of 3 to 50 nm and has a pH of 6 to 11.5, d) with the proviso that the d5o of the particle size distribution of the cerium oxide particles is greater than that of the silicon dioxide particles, the cerium oxide/silicon dioxide weight ratio is >1 and the amount of cerium oxide starting dispersion is such that the zeta potential of the dispersion is negative.

Abstract: A composition for chemical-mechanical planarization comprises periodic acid and an abrasive present in a combined amount sufficient to planarize a substrate surface having a feature thereon comprising a noble metal, noble metal alloy, noble metal oxide, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the periodic acid is present in an amount in a range of from about 0.05 to about 0.3 moles/kilogram, and the abrasive is present in an amount in a range of from about 0.2 to about 6 weight percent. In another embodiment, the composition further comprises a pH-adjusting agent present in an amount sufficient to cause the pH of the composition to be in a range of from about pH 5 to about pH 10, or of from about pH 1 to about pH 4.

Abstract: The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising a cationic abrasive, a cationic polymer, an inorganic halide salt, and an aqueous carrier. The invention further provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with the aforementioned polishing composition. The polishing composition exhibits selectivity for removal of silicon nitride over removal of silicon oxide and polysilicon.

Abstract: Disclosed is CMP slurry, which includes a pyridine-based compound including at least two pyridinyl groups, and minimizes the occurrence of dishing and erosion of a wiring line.

Abstract: A method for removing particles or deposits from a surface having particles or deposits thereon. The method involves contacting a surface with a chemical composition sufficient to selectively dissolve and remove at least a portion of the particles or deposits from the surface. The chemical composition is compatible with the surface. This disclosure also relates to a system of specially designed equipment for removing particles or deposits from a surface having particles or deposits thereon. The disclosure is useful, for example, in cleaning porous surfaces, media for cartridge, pleated and membrane surfaces, and internal walls of tanks or filter housings.

Abstract: A slurry composition for chemical mechanical polishing of a polishing target layer containing a phase change material and a method of forming a phase change memory device using the same, the slurry composition including abrasive particles; and a nonionic surfactant, wherein a concentration of the nonionic surfactant in the slurry composition is about 100 ppb to about 300 ppb.

Abstract: The present invention comprises fluorinated ethoxylated polyurethanes of formula [Rf—(X)n—(CH2CHR1—O)m—CH2CH2—O—C(O)—NH]p-A, wherein Rf is a C1 to C6 perfluoroalkyl; X is a divalent radical; n is 0 or 1; R1 is H or C1 to C4 alkyl; m is 1 to 20; p is a positive integer of at least 2; and A is the residue of a polyisocyanate, and methods for altering surface behavior of liquids using such compounds.

Abstract: A composition comprising a solution of potassium monopersulfate having an active oxygen content of from about 3.4% to about 6.8% and a process for its preparation including neutralization with an alkaline material is disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a polishing fluid that has a fast polishing rate, and can selectively suppress polishing of layers including polysilicon or modified polysilicon during the chemical mechanical polishing in the manufacture of semiconductor integrated circuits, and a polishing method using the same. A polishing fluid used for the chemical mechanical polishing in which each of the components represented by the following (1) and (2) is included, the pH is 1.5 to 5.0, and a polishing workpiece can be polished in a range of a ratio represented by RR (other)/RR (p-Si) when the polishing rate of the first layer is RR (p-Si), and the polishing rate of the second layer is RR (other) of 1.5 to 200. (1) Colloidal silica particles (2) At least one inorganic phosphate compound selected from phosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, and polyphosphoric acid.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to compositions and methods for modifying or refining the surface of a wafer suited for semiconductor fabrication. The compositions include working liquids useful in modifying a surface of a wafer suited for fabrication of a semiconductor device. In some embodiments, the working liquids are aqueous solutions of initial components substantially free of loose abrasive particles, the components including water, a surfactant, and a pH buffer exhibiting at least one pKa greater than 7. In certain embodiments, the pH buffer includes a basic pH adjusting agent and an acidic complexing agent, and the working liquid exhibits a pH from about 7 to about 12. In further embodiments, the disclosure provides a fixed abrasive article comprising a surfactant suitable for modifying the surface of a wafer, and a method of making the fixed abrasive article. Additional embodiments describe methods that may be used to modify a wafer surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a highly dilutable chemical mechanical polishing concentrate comprising an abrasive, an acid, a stabilizer, and water with a point-of-use pH ranging from 2.2-3.5 for planarizing current and next generation semiconductor integrated circuit FEOL/BEOL substrates.

Abstract: Provided according to embodiments of the present invention are methods of fabricating semiconductor devices using an etchant. In some embodiments, the etchant may be highly selective and may act to reduce interference between wordlines in the semiconductor device. In some embodiments of the invention, provided are methods of fabricating a semiconductor device that include forming a plurality of gate patterns on a substrate; forming first insulation layers between the gate patterns; wet-etching the first insulation layers to form first insulation layer residues; and forming air gaps between the plurality of gate patterns. Related etchant solutions and semiconductor devices are also provided.

Abstract: The CMP polishing solution of the invention comprises (A) a metal corrosion inhibitor containing a compound with a 1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridine skeleton, (B) an abrasive grain having a positive zeta potential in the CMP polishing solution, (C) a metal oxide solubilizer and (D) an oxidizing agent. The polishing method of the invention comprises a first polishing step in which the conductive substance layer of a substrate comprising an interlayer insulating filth having an elevated section and a trench at the surface, a barrier layer formed following the surface of the interlayer insulating film and the conductive substance layer formed covering the barrier layer, is polished to expose the barrier layer located on the elevated section of the interlayer insulating film, and a second polishing step in which the barrier layer exposed in the first polishing step is polished using the CMP polishing solution to expose the elevated section of the interlayer insulating film.

Abstract: Provided herein are etching, cleaning and drying methods using a supercritical fluid, and a chamber system for conducting the same. The etching method includes etching the material layer using a supercritical carbon dioxide in which an etching chemical is dissolved, and removing an etching by-product created from a reaction between the material layer and the etching chemical using a supercritical carbon dioxide in which a cleaning chemical is dissolved. Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device are also provided.

Abstract: A metal-polishing liquid used for chemical-mechanical polishing of a conductor film of copper or a copper alloy in a process for manufacturing a semiconductor device, the metal-polishing liquid comprising: (1) an amino acid derivative represented by the formula (I); and (2) a surfactant, wherein, in the formula (I), R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R2 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A polishing slurry containing a slurry dispersing particles of tetravalent metal hydroxide in a medium therein and an additive, characterized in that the additive is a polymer containing at least one kind of monomer component selected from a group of monomers represented with a general formulae (I) and (II) below (In the general formulae (I) and (II), R1 denotes hydrogen, a methyl group, a phenyl group, a benzil group, a chlorine group, a difluoromethyl group, a trifluoromethyl group or a cyano group, R2 and R3 denote hydrogen or an alkyl chain having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, a methylol group, an acetyl group or a diacetonyl group, and a case where both are hydrogen is not included. R4 denotes a morpholino group, a thiomorpholino group, a pyrrolidinyl group or a piperidino group.

Abstract: A polishing agent which comprises a composition containing an inorganic acid, an amino acid, a protective film-forming agent, an abrasive, an oxidizing agent, an organic acid and water, adjusted to a pH of 1.5-4, wherein the amount of potassium hydroxide required to raise the pH of the composition without the organic acid to 4 is at least 0.10 mol with respect to 1 kg of the composition without the organic acid, and the organic acid contains at least two carboxyl groups, wherein the logarithm of the inverse of the first acid dissociation constant (pKa1) is no greater than 3.

Abstract: An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a polishing slurry which can reduce dishing and erosion of a to-be-polished semiconductor wafer. The polishing slurry contains an oxidizing agent and two or more kinds of abrasive grains for polishing, i.e., fumed silica and colloidal silica. A ratio (selectivity ratio) between a polishing rate of a metal film such as a tungsten film and a polishing rate of an insulating film (oxide film) such as a SiO2 film can be adjusted by changing a mixing ratio between fumed silica and colloidal silica, and dishing and erosion of the semiconductor wafer can be thus reduced.

Abstract: A mixture of perhalogenic acid and sulfuric acid is unexpectedly stable at high temperatures and is effective in stripping photoresists, including difficult to treat ion-implanted photoresists, with short processing times. In use, no decomposition of the mixture is observed up to a temperature of 145° C. In the mixture, the sulfuric acid is highly purified and has a concentration of 96 wt % or greater. The perhalogenic acid is preferably H5IO6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing residues from open areas of a patterned substrate involving the steps of providing a layer of a developable anti-reflective coating (DBARC) over a substrate; providing a layer of a photoresist over said DBARC layer; pattern-wise exposing said photoresist layer and said DBARC layer to a radiation; developing said photoresist layer and said DBARC layer with a first developer to form patterned structures in said photoresist and DBARC layers; depositing a layer of a developer soluble material over said patterned structures; and removing said developer soluble material with a second developer.

Abstract: An etchant composition, and methods of patterning a conductive layer and manufacturing a flat panel display device using the same are provided. The etchant composition may include phosphoric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid, water and an additive, wherein the additive includes a chlorine-based compound, a nitrate-based compound, and an oxidation regulator. In addition, the flat panel display device may be manufactured by patterning a gate electrode, source/drain electrodes and a pixel electrode using the same etchant composition. The gate electrode, source/drain electrodes and the pixel electrode may be formed of different conductive materials. Accordingly, processes are simplified so that manufacturing costs may be reduced and productivity may be improved.

Abstract: A slurry composition for polishing metal includes a polymeric polishing accelerating agent, the polymeric polishing accelerating agent including a backbone of hydrocarbon and a side substituent having at least one of a sulfonate ion (SO3?) and a sulfate ion (OSO3?), and an acidic aqueous solution.

Abstract: A slurry composition includes about 4.25 to about 18.5 weight percent of an abrasive, about 80 to about 95 weight percent of deionized water, and about 0.05 to about 1.5 weight percent of an additive. The slurry composition may further include a surfactant. In a polishing method using the slurry composition, a polysilicon layer may be rapidly polished, and also dishing and erosion of the polysilicon layer may be suppressed.

Abstract: A wet etching solution includes hydrogen fluoride in an amount of about 0.1% to about 3% by weight of the etching solution, an inorganic acid in an amount of about 10% to about 40% by weight of the etching solution, the inorganic acid being one or more of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and/or hydrochloric acid, a surfactant in an amount of about 0.0001% to about 5% by weight of the etching solution, the nonionic surfactant including one or more of alkylphenol ethoxylate and/or ammonium lauryl sulfate, and water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an etchant for etching metal wiring, and the metal wiring etchant according to the present invention includes hydrogen peroxide at about 5 wt % to about 15 wt %, an oxidant at about 0.5 wt % to about 5 wt %, a fluoride-based compound at about 0.1 wt % to about 1 wt %, a nitrate-based compound at about 0.5 wt % to about 5 wt %, and a boron-based compound at about 0.05 wt % to about 1 wt %.

Abstract: Provided are several polishing compositions useful for modifying a surface, such as a semiconductor wafer suitable for fabrication of a semiconductor device, especially when used in fixed abrasive planarization techniques. The polishing compositions include a synergistic mixture of water, an oxidizing agent, a complexing agent, and metal ions. Also provided are various methods of surface planarization.

Abstract: An etching solution for a metal hard mask. The etching solution comprises a mixture of a dilute HF (hydrofluoric acid) and a silicon containing precursor. The etching solution also comprises a surfactant agent, a carboxylic acid, and a copper corrosion inhibitor. The etching solution is selectively toward etching the metal hard mask material (e.g., Titanium) while suppressing Tungsten, Copper, oxide dielectric material, and carbon doped oxide.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing composition useful for chemical mechanical polishing of a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a silicon oxide material and a silicon nitride material; and methods of making and using the chemical mechanical polishing composition. The chemical mechanical polishing composition comprises, as initial components: at least one of a first substance and a second substance; wherein the first substance is according to formula I wherein the second substance is according to formula II an abrasive; and water.

Abstract: A composition for polishing silicon nitride according to the present invention includes colloidal silica, a polishing aid including a phosphoric acid compound and a sulfuric acid compound. By further including an oxidizing agent, a first selectivity representing the ratio of a polishing speed for a metal layer to a polishing speed for a silicon nitride layer and a second selectivity representing the ratio of a polishing speed for an oxide insulating layer to a polishing speed for a silicon nitride are controlled.

Abstract: The polishing solution is useful for removing a barrier from a semiconductor substrate. The solution contains by weight percent 0.001 to 25 oxidizer, 0.0001 to 5 anionic surfactant, 0 to 15 inhibitor for a nonferrous metal, 0 to 40 abrasive, 0 to 20 complexing agent for the nonferrous metal, 0.01 to 12 barrier removal agent selected from imine derivative compounds, hydrazine derivative compounds and mixtures thereof, and water; and the solution has an acidic pH.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for surface modification of a heat sink, the composition including: 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of an organic titanium compound; 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of an organic silane compound; 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of an organic acid; 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of a sequestering agent; and 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a buffer with respect to 100 parts by weight of distilled water. The composition of the present invention provides excellent adhesion strength with prepreg, and improve heat releasing performance.

Abstract: The polishing method uses a polishing solution for removing barrier materials in the presence of interconnect metals and dielectrics. The polishing solution comprises, by weight percent, 0.1 to 10 hydrogen peroxide, at least one pH adjusting agent selected from the group consisting of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid for adjusting a pH level of the polishing solution to less than 3, at least 0.0025 benzotriazole inhibitor for reducing removal rate of the interconnect metals, 0 to 10 surfactant, 0.01 to 10 colloidal silica having an average particle size of less than 50 nm and balance water and incidental impurities. The polishing solution has a tantalum nitride material to copper selectivity of at least 3 to 1 and a tantalum nitride to TEOS selectivity of at least 3 to 1.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a chemical-mechanical polishing formulation that includes: an abrasive particulate component; iodic acid; and water. The invention is also directed to a method for polishing a metal-containing substrate, the method including the steps of polishing the metal-containing substrate with a polishing pad at a suitable polishing pressure while the metal-containing substrate is in contact with the above polishing formulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fast and inexpensive method which can be carried out locally for the wet-chemical edge deletion of “solar modules” by applying etching pastes which are suitable for this purpose and, when the reaction is complete, removing the paste residues or cleaning the substrate surface in a suitable manner. An etching paste newly developed for the purpose is employed in the method.

Abstract: An etchant composition is provided. The etchant composition includes about 40 to about 65 wt % of phosphoric acid, about 2 to about 5 wt % of nitric acid, about 2 to about 20 wt % of acetic acid, about 0.1 to about 2 wt % of a compound containing phosphate, about 0.1 to about 2 wt % of a compound simultaneously containing an amino group and a carboxyl group, and a remaining weight percent of water for the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: A pickling solution for the surface pre-treatment of plastic surfaces in preparation for metallization, the solution comprising a source of Mn(VII) ions; and an inorganic acid; wherein the pickling solution is substantially free of chromium (VI) ions, alkali ions, and alkaline-earth ions.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for planarizing or polishing a surface. One composition comprises about 0.01 wt. % to about 20 wt. % ?-alumina particles, wherein the ?-alumina particles have an average diameter of 200 nm or less, and 80% of the ?-alumina particles have a diameter of about 500 nm or less, an organic acid, a corrosion inhibitor, and water. Another composition comprises ?-alumina particles, an organic acid, dual corrosion inhibitors of triazole and benzotriazole, wherein the wt. % ratio of the triazole to benzotriazole is about 0.1 to about 4.8, and water.

Abstract: A novel etching agent for etching II-VI semiconductors is provided. The etching agent includes an aqueous solution of potassium permanganate and phosphoric acid. This etching solution can etch II-VI semiconductors at a rapid rate but tend to be much less reactive with III-V semiconductors. The provided agent can be used in a method for etching II-VI semiconductors.

Abstract: The proposed slurry can be used to planarize polymeric candidate ILD materials such Benzocylobutene (BCB), SILK, Polyimide, etc. The slurry consists of colloidal suspension of nanoparticle abrasives made up of Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS)-derived silica and Zirconium-dioxide (ZrO2), its derivatives and any materials modified from ZrO2 and/or TEOS, in a chemically active medium. The base solution of the slurry consists of deionized (Dl) water, buffering agents like inorganic buffer comprised of inorganic acids such as TRIS-Hcl, its derivatives and variants, cleansing agents, surface modified catalysts, and surface reagents. The organic solvents like isopropyl alcohol, methanol, and other organic alcohols ranging from 0.0005 to 0.05% are employed for active dissolution of the chemical surface complex formed as a result of the slurry chemical action. The inorganic buffer is so chosen that the complex salts resulting from the reaction impart hydrophobicity to the polished thin film surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention contemplate the formation of a high efficiency solar cell using novel methods to form the active region(s) and the metal contact structure of a solar cell device. In one embodiment, the methods include the use of various etching and patterning processes that are used to define point contacts through a blanket dielectric layer covering a surface of a solar cell substrate. The method generally includes depositing an etchant material that enables formation of a desired pattern in a dielectric layer through which electrical contacts to the solar cell device can be formed.