Stability of Oxidizer $H_2O_2$ for Copper CMP Slurry

구리 CMP 슬러리를 위한 산화제 $H_2O_2$의 안정성

Chemical mechanical polishing(CMP) is an essential process in the production of copper-based chips. On this work, the stability of Hydrogen Peroxide($H_2O_2$) as oxidizer of Cu CMP slurry has been investigated. $H_2O_2$ is known as the most common oxidizer in Cu CMP slurry. Copper slowly dissolves in $H_2O_2$ solutions and the interaction of $H_2O_2$ with copper surface had been studied in the literature. Because hydrogen peroxide is a weak acid in aqueous solutions, a passivation-type slurry chemistry could be achieved only with pH buffered solution.[1] Moreover, $H_2O_2$ is so unstable that its stabilization is needed using as oxidizer. As adding KOH as pH buffering agent, stability of $H_2O_2$ decreased. However, stability went up with putting in small amount of BTA as film forming agent. There was no difference of $H_2O_2$ stability between KOH and TMAH at same pH. On the other hand, $H_2O_2$ dispersion of TMAH is lower than that of KOH. Furthermore, adding $H_2O_2$ in slurry in advance of bead milling lead to better stability than adding after bead milling. Generally, various solutions of phosphoric acids result in a higher stability. Using Alumina C as abrasive was good at stabilizing for $H_2O_2$; moreover, better stability was gotten by adding $H_3PO_4$.