Abstract: Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) polishing compositions, methods and systems of use therefore are provided. The CMP polishing composition comprises abrasives of ceria coated inorganic metal oxide particles, such as ceria-coated silica; and dual chemical additives for providing the tunable oxide film removal rates and tunable SiN film removal rates. Chemical additives comprise at least one nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic compound and at least one non-ionic organic molecule having more than one hydroxyl functional group organic.

Abstract: Gypsum panels and methods for their manufacture are provided herein. The gypsum panels include a gypsum core having a first surface and a second opposed surface and a first fiberglass mat associated with the first surface of the gypsum core, such that gypsum from the gypsum core penetrates at least a portion of the first fiberglass mat.

Abstract: A wafer polishing head is provided. The wafer polishing head includes a carrier head, a plurality of piezoelectric actuators disposed on the carrier head, and a membrane disposed over the plurality of piezoelectric actuators. The plurality of piezoelectric actuators is configured to provide mechanical forces on the membrane and generate an electrical charge when receiving counterforces of the mechanical forces through the membrane. A wafer polishing system and a method for polishing a substrate using the same are also provided.

Abstract: A method of performing a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process includes holding a wafer by a retainer ring attached to a carrier, pressing the wafer against a first surface of a polishing pad, the polishing pad rotating at a first speed, dispensing a slurry on the first surface of the polishing pad, and generating vibrations at the polishing pad.

Abstract: During chemical mechanical polishing of a substrate, a signal value that depends on a thickness of a layer in a measurement spot on a substrate undergoing polishing is determined by a first in-situ monitoring system. An image of at least the measurement spot of the substrate is generated by a second in-situ imaging system. Machine vision processing, e.g., a convolutional neural network, is used to determine a characterizing value for the measurement spot based on the image. Then a measurement value is calculated based on both the characterizing value and the signal value.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes a polishing station to hold a polishing pad, a carrier head to hold a substrate in contact with a polishing pad at the polishing station, a camera positioned to capture an image of a lower surface of a consumable part when the consumable part moves away from the polishing pad, and a controller configured to perform an image processing algorithm on the image to determine whether the consumable part is damaged. The consumable part can be a retaining ring on a carrier head, or a conditioner disk on a conditioner head.

Abstract: A polishing head of a wafer polishing apparatus is provided with: a membrane head that can independently control a center control pressure pressing a center portion of a wafer, and an outer periphery control pressure pressing an outer peripheral portion of the wafer; an outer ring integrated with the membrane head so as to configure the outer peripheral portion of the membrane head; and a contact type retainer ring provided outside the membrane head. The membrane head has a central pressure chamber of a single compartment structure that controls the center control pressure, and an outer peripheral pressure chamber that is provided above the central pressure chamber, and that controls the outer periphery control pressure. A position of a lower end of the outer ring reaches at least a position of an inner bottom surface of the central pressure chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a polishing pad suitable for polishing at least one of semiconductor, optical, magnetic or electromechanical substrates. It includes a polyurea polishing layer and a polyurea matrix. The polyurea has a soft segment being a copolymer of aliphatic fluorine-free polymer groups and a fluorocarbon having a length of a least six carbons. The polyurea matrix being cured with a curative agent and including gas or liquid-filled polymeric microelements. The polyurea matrix has a bulk region and a transition region adjacent the bulk region that extends to the polishing layer. The polymeric microelements in the transition region decrease in thickness as they approach the polishing layer with thickness of the compressed microelements adjacent the polishing layer being less than fifty percent of a diameter of the polymeric microelements in the bulk region. The polishing layer remains hydrophilic during polishing in shear conditions.

Abstract: A Taiko wafer ring cut process method is provided. The Taiko wafer ring cut process method includes the following steps. A Taiko wafer is disposed on the platform. The Taiko wafer is performing by laser ring cutting so that a Taiko ring and an edge portion of the Taiko wafer are separated from a wafer portion of the Taiko wafer. The wafer portion of the Taiko wafer is adhered to a frame.

Abstract: An SiC ingot forming method includes: a holding step of holding by a chuck table a cut section of a primitive SiC ingot cut from an SiC ingot growth base; a planarization step of grinding an end surface of the primitive SiC ingot held by the chuck table, to planarize the end surface; a c-plane detection step of detecting a c-plane of the primitive SiC ingot from the planarized end surface; a first end surface forming step of grinding the planarized end surface, to form a first end surface inclined at an off angle relative to the c-plane; and a second end surface forming step of holding the first end surface by the chuck table and grinding the cut section of the primitive SiC ingot in parallel to the first end surface, to form a second end surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing chemical mechanical polish on a wafer includes a polishing head that includes a retaining ring. The polishing head is configured to hold the wafer in the retaining ring. The retaining ring includes a first ring having a first hardness, and a second ring encircled by the first ring, wherein the second ring has a second hardness smaller than the first hardness.

Abstract: A carrier head includes a base assembly, a substrate mounting surface connected to the base assembly, and a plurality of segments disposed circumferentially around the substrate mounting surface to provide a retaining ring to surround a substrate mounted on the substrate mounting surface. An inner surface of each of the plurality of segments is configured to engage the substrate, and each segment of the plurality of segments of the retaining ring is pivotally connected to the base assembly such that a lower portion of each segment of the retaining ring is swingable toward and away from the substrate.

Abstract: In order to respond flexibly to various processing modes, such as forming curved surface shapes, when cutting a workpiece using a wire saw, this wire saw device (1) is provided with: a single robot arm (2) that is capable of moving freely by means of multi-axis control; a wire saw unit (3) that is detachably connected to the robot arm (2) via a tool changer (7); a wire (8) that spans a plurality of pulleys supported within the wire saw unit (3); and a workpiece cutting zone (20) that is established between the pulleys. The workpiece is cut to a prescribed shape by moving the robot arm (2) in a preset direction while running the wire (8) of the wire saw unit (3) and pressing the wire (8) against the supported workpiece.

Abstract: A polishing pad including a polishing layer and at least one detection window is provided. The polishing layer includes a polishing surface and a back surface having at least one protrusion. The at least one detection window is disposed at a location corresponding to the at least one protrusion in the polishing layer, and the at least one protrusion surrounds the at least one detection window. A manufacturing method and a polishing method of the polishing pad are also provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a partially shaped abrasive particle. The partially shaped abrasive particle includes a shaped portion, engineered to have a polygonal shape, and an irregular portion. The irregular portion is coupled to a base of the shaped portion, forming a single partially shaped abrasive particle.

Abstract: A diamond tool comprising a tool shank and a tool head, which is fixed on the tool shank and which is formed by a layer of material interspersed with diamonds at least in sections, the layer of material interspersed with diamonds at least in sections being directly integrally bonded to the tool shank by an electroplating deposition process and the tool head having a recess on the front side, so that in cross-section the tool head has the form of a circular ring in the area of the free end, the tool head forming a hollow milling cutter and a wall forming the hollow milling cutter and having the form of a circular ring consisting only of a nickel-diamond material that is grown by electroplating.

Abstract: Provided is a method of lapping a semiconductor wafer, which can suppress the formation of a ring-shaped pattern in a nanotopography map. The method of lapping a semiconductor wafer includes: a stopping step of stopping lapping of a semiconductor wafer; a reversing step of reversing surfaces of the semiconductor wafer facing a upper plate and a lower plate after the stopping step; and a resuming step of resuming lapping of the semiconductor wafer after the reversing step while maintaining the reversal of the surfaces facing the plates.

Abstract: A biocompatible controlled release form of complexed iodine is achieved by a complexation of polyvinyl alcohol based foam and characterized by a residual starch component to optimize iodine release profiles. The resulting iodine complexed polyvinyl alcohol foam may be utilized locally as an antimicrobial agent that releases controlled amounts of iodine sufficient to kill microbes for extended durations without excessive bulk and rigidity.

Abstract: A substrate processing system configured to process a substrate includes an eccentricity detection device configured to detect, in a combined substrate in which a first substrate and a second substrate are bonded to each other, an eccentricity of the first substrate; a modification layer forming device configured to form a modification layer within the first substrate along a boundary between a peripheral portion to be removed and a central portion of the first substrate; and a periphery removing device configured to remove the peripheral portion starting from the modification layer.

Abstract: A polishing liquid is supplied without passing through a rotary joint in a face-up type polishing apparatus. This application discloses a polishing head for the face-up type polishing apparatus used by mounting a polishing pad on a lower surface as one embodiment. The polishing head includes a liquid reservoir portion that receives a liquid and a liquid discharge port that discharges the liquid received by the liquid reservoir portion. The liquid reservoir portion is disposed around a rotation axis of the polishing head. The liquid discharge port is disposed on the lower surface of the polishing head. An annular opening centering on the rotation axis of the polishing head is formed on an upper portion of the polishing head. The liquid reservoir portion is communicated with a space outside the polishing head via the opening.

Abstract: Method and system for monitoring a polishing pad is provided. The polishing pad includes a bottom layer, a polishing layer disposed on the bottom layer, and a plurality of mark structures disposed on the bottom layer and in the polishing layer to have a top surface coplanar with the polishing layer to indicate consumption level of the polishing layer. The monitoring system includes an acquisition module, a memory module, and a determining module connected to both the acquisition module and the memory module. The determining module, the acquisition module, and the memory module are configured to monitor the consumption level of the polishing layer and to recognize that the polishing pad needs to be replaced.

Abstract: A PVA brush cleaning method includes immersing a PVA brush in a cleaning solution containing an organic matter, thereby removing a siloxane compound in the PVA brush; and applying vibration to the PVA brush, thereby removing impurities in the PVA brush.

Abstract: A carrier head for chemical mechanical polishing includes a base, an actuator, a substrate mounting surface, and a retainer. The retainer includes an inner section and an outer section connected by a flexure. A bottom of the inner section of the retainer provides an inner portion of a lower surface configured to contact a polishing pad. An inner surface of the inner section extends upwardly from an inner edge of the lower surface to circumferentially surround the substrate mounting surface. The inner section of the retainer is positioned to receive a controllable load from the actuator and is vertically movable relative to the base. A bottom of the outer section of the retainer provides an outer portion of the lower surface. The outer section of the retainer is vertically fixed to the base. The inner section of the retainer is vertically movable relative to the outer section of the retainer.

Abstract: There is provided a processing method including the steps of measuring a thickness of the wafer, holding the wafer on a holder, supplying a liquid resin to a table that faces the holder, relatively moving the holder and the table closely to each other to coat the wafer with the liquid resin, and hardening the liquid resin that has coated the wafer. In the resin applying step, a distance by which the holder and the table are to be relatively moved closely to each other to coat the wafer with the liquid resin is determined depending on the measured thickness of the wafer.

Abstract: A flexible membrane for a carrier head of a chemical mechanical polisher includes a main portion, an annular outer portion, and three annular flaps. The main portion has a substrate mounting surface with a radius R. The annular outer portion extends upwardly from an outer edge of the main portion and has a lower edge connected to the main portion and an upper edge. The three annular flaps include a first annular flap joined to an inner surface of the main portion at a radial position between 75% and 95% of R, a second inwardly-extending annular flap joined to the annular outer portion at a position between the lower edge and the upper edge, and a third inwardly-extending annular flap joined to the upper edge of the annular outer portion.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) system that includes a platen, a conduit having a heating segment and a delivery outlet, and a heater coupled to the heating segment of the conduit. The delivery outlet is positioned adjacent to the platen, whereas the heating segment defines a dispensing distance with the delivery outlet. The dispensing distance is associated with a stability of a CMP slurry at an elevated temperature that is above an ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method for double-side polishing a wafer uses a double-side polishing machine wherein a carrier which is yet to be arranged in the double-side polishing machine is previously subjected to two-stage double-side polishing which uses a double-side polishing machine different from the double-side polishing machine adopted for double-side polishing the wafer and includes primary polishing using slurry containing abrasive grains and secondary polishing using an inorganic alkali solution containing no abrasive grain, the carrier subjected to the two-stage double-side polishing is arranged in the double-side polishing machine adopted for double-side polishing the wafer, and the double-side polishing of the wafer is performed. Consequently, the method for double-side polishing a wafer enables suppressing damages to wafers to be polished immediately after arranging the carrier between the upper and lower turntables.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a polishing pad for use in a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process of semiconductors, a process for preparing the same, and a process for preparing a semiconductor device using the same. In the polishing pad according to the embodiment, the size (or diameter) and distribution of a plurality of pores are adjusted, whereby the polishing performance such as polishing rate and within-wafer non-uniformity can be further enhanced.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymer-polymer composite polishing method comprising a polishing layer having a polishing surface for polishing or planarizing a substrate. The method includes attaching a polymer-polymer composite having a polishing layer and a polymeric matrix. The polymer matrix has fluoropolymer particles embedded in the polymeric matrix. Then a cationic particle slurry is applied to the polymer-polymer composite polishing pad. Conditioning the polymer-polymer composite polishing pad with an abrasive cuts the polymer-polymer composite polishing pad; and rubbing the cut polymer-polymer composite polishing pad against the substrate forms the polishing surface. The polishing surface has a fluorine concentration measured in atomic percent at a penetration depth of 1 to 10 nm of at least ten percent higher than the bulk fluorine concentration measured with at a penetration depth of 1 to 10 ?m to polish or planarize the substrate.

Abstract: In the composition according to the embodiment, the composition of oligomers that constitute the chains in a urethane-based prepolymer may be adjusted to control the physical properties thereof such as gelation time. Thus, since the micropore characteristics, polishing rate, and pad cut rate of a polishing pad obtained by curing the composition according to the embodiment may be controlled, it is possible to efficiently manufacture high-quality semiconductor devices using the polishing pad.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming a CMP membrane. The method is performed by providing a malleable material within a cavity within a membrane mold. The cavity has a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region. The malleable material within the cavity is cured to form a membrane. Curing the malleable material is performed by heating the malleable material within the central region of the membrane mold to a first temperature and heating the malleable material within the peripheral region of the membrane mold to a second temperature that is greater than the first temperature.

Abstract: A method and system for polishing a plurality of workpieces is disclosed. The method and system comprises providing a polishing tool with multiple polishing heads; and providing a substrate tray that can hold the plurality of work pieces in a fixed position on a tray underneath the polishing heads. The system and method includes moving the tray within the polisher. Finally, the method and system includes configuring the multiple polishing heads with the appropriate pad/slurry combinations to polish the workpieces and to create a finished polished surface on the plurality of work pieces.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus 100 includes a first electric motor 14 that rotationally drives a polishing table 12, and a second electric motor 22 that rotationally drives a top ring 20 that holds a semiconductor wafer 18. The polishing apparatus 100 includes: a current detection portion 24; an accumulation portion 110 that accumulates, for a prescribed interval, current values of three phases that are detected by the current detection portion 24; a difference portion 112 that determines a difference between a detected current value in an interval that is different to the prescribed interval and the accumulated current value; and an endpoint detection portion 29 that detects a polishing endpoint that indicates the end of polishing of the surface of the semiconductor wafer 18, based on a change in the difference that the difference portion 112 outputs.

Abstract: A one-step headlight restoration formulation is also provided that includes a polyurethane dispersion of aliphatic polycarbonate urethane present from 20 to 85 total weight percent, along with a wetting agent present from 1 to 4 total weight percent. A biocide is present from 0.005 to 0.5 total weight percent of the formulation. A carrier constitutes the remainder of the formulation. A kit for a one-step headlight restoration is provided that includes a wipe for applying said formulation to a headlight surface in need of resurfacing as a one step process. The process of using the kit includes removing a formulation impregnated wipe from an envelope and contacting the wipe with the headlight surface to apply said formulation by wiping evenly on a headlight lens surface to form a restorative film.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for uniformly holding a substrate without flexure or bending of the substrate, thereby enabling accurate shape measurements of the substrate such as wafer curvature, z-height values and other surface characteristics. Techniques include using a liquid as a supporting surface for a substrate thereby providing uniform support. Liquid used has a same specific gravity of a substrate being supported so that the substrate can float on the liquid without sinking. Uniform support of the substrate enables precision metrology.

Abstract: In the composition according to an embodiment, the weight ratio of toluene 2,4-diisocyanate in which one NCO group is reacted and unreacted toluene 2,6-diisocyanate in the urethane-based prepolymer is adjusted, whereby such physical properties as gelation time can be controlled. Thus, the polishing rate and pad cut rate of a polishing pad obtained by curing the composition according to the embodiment may be controlled while it has a hardness suitable for a soft pad, whereby it is possible to efficiently manufacture high-quality semiconductor devices using the polishing pad.

Abstract: Semiconductor wafers are polished on both sides between polishing pads of a Shore A hardness of at least 80 and a compressibility of less than 3%, attached to upper and lower polishing plates, the polishing pads attached to the upper and lower polishing plates by bonding the polishing pads to the plates, and positioning an intermediate pad having a compressibility of at least 3% between the two bonded polishing pads as an intermediate layer and then pressing together the two polishing pads with the intermediate pad situated therebetween for a period of time.

Abstract: Provided a method of producing a carrier which make it possible to prevent the reduction in the flatness of a semiconductor wafer even if the semiconductor wafer is subjected to repeated double-side polishing procedures. The method of producing a carrier including a metal portion and a ring-shaped resin portion includes: a preparation step of preparing the metal portion and the resin portion (Step S1); a placement step of placing the resin portion in the retainer opening in the metal portion (Step S2); and a resin portion polishing step of polishing both surface of the resin portion (Step S4). The method includes, prior to the resin portion polishing step (Step S4), a production stage swelling step of swelling the resin portion placed in the retainer opening in the metal portion by impregnating the resin portion with a first liquid (Step S3).

Abstract: A method for producing a porous material includes processing a urethane resin composition containing a urethane resin (A) and a solvent (B) by a wet film forming process, in which the solvent (B) satisfies the following conditions: a difference between a Hansen solubility parameter of the solvent (B) (B-HSP) and a Hansen solubility parameter of the urethane resin (A) (A-HSP) is in the range of 3 to 8 (J/cm3)1/2 and a difference between the Hansen solubility parameter of the solvent (B) (B-HSP) and a Hansen solubility parameter of water (W-HSP) is in the range of 31.5 to 38 (J/cm3)1/2. The Hansen solubility parameter of the solvent (B) preferably has a dispersion term (?D) in the range of 15.5 to 21.0 MPa0.5, a polar term (?P) in the range of 7.0 to 14.5 MPa0.5, and a hydrogen bond term (?H) in the range of 4.5 to 11.0 MPa0.5.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method of analyzing a shape of a wafer, including: measuring a cross-sectional shape of a plurality of wafers; obtaining a first angle formed by a first line connecting a first point to a second point having a maximum curvature in an edge region of the wafer and a front surface of the wafer; forming a thin film layer on a surface of each of the wafers; measuring a thickness profile of an edge region of the wafer on which each of the thin film layers is formed; and confirming a wafer having a smallest maximum thickness profile of the thin film layer among the plurality of wafers.

Abstract: The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising (a) an abrasive selected from the group consisting of alumina, ceria, titania, zirconia, and combinations thereof, wherein the abrasive is surface-coated with a copolymer comprising a combination of sulfonic acid monomeric units and carboxylic acid monomeric units a combination of sulfonic acid monomeric units and phosphonic acid monomeric units, (b) an oxidizing agent, and (c) water, wherein the polishing composition has a pH of about 2 to about 5. The invention further provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with the inventive chemical-mechanical polishing composition. Typically, the substrate comprises tungsten or cobalt and silicon oxide.

Abstract: A polishing agent containing abrasive grains and water, in which the abrasive grains contain silica particles, an average particle diameter Rave of the abrasive grains is 50 nm or more, a ratio Rave/Rmin of the average particle diameter Rave to an average minor diameter Rmin of the abrasive grains is 1.0 to 2.0, and a zeta potential of the abrasive grains in the polishing agent is positive.

Abstract: Provided is a chemical mechanical polishing process. The process includes the following steps: a layer to be polished is provided, wherein the layer to be polished has a hole, a trench and/or an opening formed therein, and a protrusion is formed at the corner of the top of the hole, the trench and/or the opening; a polishing pad with a plurality of fibers on the surface thereof is provided; and in a moving direction perpendicular to the top surface of the layer to be polished, the plurality of fibers of the polishing pad are intermittently contacted with the protrusion in the presence of an abrasive-free slurry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technical field of CMP pad manufacture, and more particularly to a CMP layer based on porous cerium oxide and a preparation method thereof. The CMP layer of the present invention is formed by mixing and curing a polyurethane prepolymer, a crosslinking agent and the porous cerium oxide, including steps of preheating the polyurethane prepolymer under vacuum, then adding a porous cerium oxide filler to the polyurethane prepolymer, and thoroughly mixing to obtain a mixed prepolymer; moving the mixed prepolymer to a first tank, and performing heat preservation, stirring, and circulation treatments; adding the crosslinking agent to a second tank and performing a melting treatment; correcting an injection weight ratio of the first tank and the second tank, then rapidly mixing, so as to inject into the mold; and then curing and vulcanizing to obtain the polishing layer.

Abstract: A polishing composition for a chemical mechanical polishing process includes abrasive particles, at least one chemical additive, and a non-aqueous solvent.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) slurry composition includes an oxidant including oxygen, and an abrasive particle having a core structure encapsulated by a shell structure. The core structure includes a first compound and the shell structure includes a second compound different from the first compound, where a diameter of the core structure is greater than a thickness of the shell structure, and where the first compound is configured to react with the oxidant to form a reactive oxygen species.

Abstract: A grinding apparatus includes a table that holds a workpiece, and a grinding unit including a grinding wheel mounted to a spindle. The grinding wheel has a grindstone formed by binding abrasive grains with a bonding agent. In addition, the grinding apparatus further includes: a grinding water supply unit that supplies grinding water to at least the grindstone; a light applying unit that is disposed adjacent to the table and that applies light to a grinding surface of the grindstone grinding the workpiece held by the table; and a light applying unit moving section by which the light applying unit can be positioned at a first position on a rotational trajectory of the grinding wheel in the case where the grinding wheel has a first diameter and a second position on a rotational trajectory of the grinding wheel in the case where the grinding wheel has a second diameter.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus including: a turntable with an attached polishing pad; a polishing head that holds a wafer; a tank that stores a polishing agent; a polishing agent supply mechanism which supplies the stored polishing agent to the polishing pad; a waste liquid receiver which collects the polishing agent flowing from the turntable; and a circulation mechanism which is connected to the waste liquid receiver and supplies the collected polishing agent to the tank, the polishing agent is supplied to the polishing pad from the tank with the polishing agent supply mechanism, the used polishing agent which flows from the turntable is collected by the waste liquid receiver, a surface of the wafer held by the polishing head is rubbed against the pad to polish it while supplying the collected polishing agent to the tank to circulate the polishing agent, and the waste liquid receiver is fixed to the turntable and the waste liquid receiver having a bottom plate and a removable side plate.

Abstract: Polishing compositions are disclosed which contribute to improvement of level difference performance (in particular, erosion). The polishing composition used for polishing an object to be polished includes abrasive grains and a dispersing medium, wherein the abrasive grains have an average primary particle size of 40 nm or less, and the number of coarse particles having a particle size of 0.2 to 1,600 ?m in the abrasive grains is 20,000 or less per 1 cm3 of the polishing composition.

Abstract: According a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device of the present invention, a surface protection film having an elastic modulus of 2 GPa or more is formed on a first main surface of a semiconductor wafer where an element structure is formed, the semiconductor wafer is placed on a stage with the first main surface facing the stage, and a second main surface of the semiconductor wafer opposite to the first main surface is ground.