• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.707-713
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• 2001

As the integrated circuit device shrinks to smaller dimensions, chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process was requirdfo the global planarization of inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer with free-defect. However, as the IMD layer gest thinner, micro-scratches are becoming as major defects. However, as the IMD layer gets thinner, micro-scratches are becoming as major defects. Micro-scratches are generated by agglomerated slurry, solidified and attached slurry in pipe line of slurry supply system. To prevent agglomerated slurry particle from inflow, we installed 0.5${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ point of use (POU) filter, which is depth-type filter and has 80% filtering efficiency for the 1.0${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ size particle. In this paper, we studied the relationship between defect generation and polished wafer counts to understand the exact efficiency fo the slurry filteration, and to find out the appropriate pad usage. Our experimental results showed that it sis impossible to prevent defect-causing particles perfectly through the depth-type filter. Thus, we suggest that it is necessary to optimize the slurry flow rate, and to install the high spray bar of de-ionized water (DIW) with high pressure, to overcome the weak-point of depth type filter.

• Journal of Applied Reliability
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.26-31
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of grinding process and thickness on the fracture strength of silicon die used for semiconductor substrate. Method: Silicon wafers with different thickness from $200{\mu}m$ to $50{\mu}m$ were prepared by chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) and dicing before grinding (DBG) process, respectively. Fracture load was measured by point load test for 50 silicon dies per each wafer. Results: Fracture strength at the center area was lower than that at the edge area of the wafer fabricated by DBG process, while random distribution of the fracture strength was observed for the CMPed wafer. Average fracture strength of DBGed specimens was higher than that of the CMPed ones for the same thickness of wafer. Conclusion: DBG process can be more helpful for lowering fracture probability during the semiconductor fabrication process than CMP process.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.185-188
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• 2001

Chemical mechanical polishing(CMP) process is widely used for global planarization of inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer and inter-layer dielectric (ILD) for deep sub-micron technology. However, as the IMD and ILD layer gets thinner, defects such as micro-scratch lead to severe circuit failure, which affect yield. In this paper, for the improvement of CMP Process, deionized water (DIW) pressure, purified $N_2$ (P$N_2$) gas, slurry filter and high spray bar were installed. Our experimental results show that DIW pressure and P$N_2$ gas factors were not related with removal rate, but edge hot-spot of patterned wafer had a serious relation. Also, the filter installation in CMP polisher could reduce defects after CMP process, it is shown that slurry filter plays an important role in determining consumable pad lifetime. The filter lifetime is dominated by the defects. However, the slurry filter is impossible to prevent defect-causing particles perfectly. Thus, we suggest that it is necessary to install the high spray bar of de-ionized water (DIW) with high pressure, to overcome the weak-point of slurry filter. Finally, we could expect the improvements of throughput, yield and stability in the ULSI fabrication process.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2003.05c
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• pp.37-40
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• 2003

As the integrated circuit device shrinks to the smaller dimension, the chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process was required for the global planarization of inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer with free-defect. However, as the IMD layer gets thinner, micro-scratches are becoming as major defects. Micro-scratches are generated by agglomerated slurry, solidified and attached slurry in pipe line of slurry supply system. It is well known that the presence of hard and larger size particles in the CMP slurries increases the defect density and surface roughness of the polished wafers. In this paper, we have studied aging effect the of CMP slurry as a function of particle size. We prepared and compared the self-developed silica slurry by adding of abrasives before and after annealing. As our preliminary experiment results, we could be obtained the relatively stable slurry characteristics comparable to original silica slurry in the slurry aging effect.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.88-88
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• 2007

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) 공정은 그 어원에서 알 수 있듯이 슬러리의 화학적인 요소와 웨이퍼에 가해지는 기계적 압력에 의해 결정되는 평탄화 기술이다. 최근, 금속배선공정에서 높은 전도율과 재료의 값이 싸다는 이유로 Cu률 사용하였으나, 디바이스의 구조적 특성을 유지하기 위해 높은 압력으로 인한 새로운 다공성 막(low-k)의 파괴와, 디싱과 에로젼 현상으로 인한 문제점이 발생하게 되었다. 이러한 문제점을 해결하고자, 본 논문에서는 Cu 표면에 Passivation layer를 형성 및 제거하는 개념으로 공정시 연마제를 사용하지 않으며, 낮은 압력조건에서 공정을 수행하기 위해, 전해질의 농도 변화에 따른 선형추의전압전류법과 순환전압전류법을 사용하여 전압활성화에 의한 전기화학적 반응이 어떤 영향을 미치는지 연구하였다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2004.07a
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• pp.239-242
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• 2004

We investigated the nanotopography impact on the post-chemical mechanical polishing (post-CMP) oxide thickness deviation(OTD) of ceria slurry with a surfactant. Not only the surfactant but also the slurry abrasive size influenced the nanotopography impact. The magnitude of the post-CMP OTD increased with adding the surfactant in the case of smaller abrasives, but it did not increase in the case of larger abrasives, while the magnitudes of the nanotopography heights are all similar. We created a one-dimensional numercal simulation of the nanotopography impact by taking account of the non-Prestonian behavior of the slurry, and good agreement with experiment results was obtained.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.287-293
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• 2010

Purpose: This study evaluated the effect of polishing techniques on surface roughness of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), as well as the influence of light-cured surface glaze and subsequent brushing on surface roughness. Materials and methods: A total of 60 PMMA specimens ($10{\times}10{\times}5\;mm$) were made and then divided into 6 groups of 10 each according to the polymerization methods (under pressure or atmosphere) and the surface polishing methods (mechanical or chemical polishing) including 2 control groups. The mechanical polishing was performed with the carbide denture bur, rubber points and then pumice and lathe wheel. The chemical polishing was performed by applying a light-cured surface glaze ($Plaquit^{(R)}$; Dreve-Dentamid GmbH). Accura $2000^{(R)}$, a non-contact, non-destructive, optical 3-dimensional surface analysis system, was used to measure the surface roughness (Ra) and 3-dimensional images were acquired. The surface roughness was again measured after ultrasonic tooth brushing in order to evaluate the influence of brushing on the surface roughness. The statistical analysis was performed with Mann-Whitney test and t-test using a 95% level of confidence. Results: The chemically polished group showed a statistically lower mean surface roughness in comparison to the mechanically polished group (P = .0045) and the specimens polymerized under the atmospheric pressure presented a more significant difference (P = .0138). After brushing, all of the groups, except the mechanically polished group, presented rougher surfaces and showed no statistically significant differences between groups. Conclusion: Although the surface roughness increased after brushing, the chemical polishing technique presented an improved surface condition in comparison to the mechanical polishing technique.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.94-103
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• 2007

The transition of interconnection metal from aluminum alloy to copper has been introduced to meet the requirements of high speed, ultra-large scale integration, and high reliability of the semiconductor device. Since copper, which has low electrical resistivity and high resistance to degradation, has different electrical and material characteristics compared to aluminum alloy, new related materials and processes are needed to successfully fabricate the copper interconnection. In this review, some important factors of multilevel copper damascene process have been surveyed such as diffusion barrier, seed layer, organic additives for bottom-up electro/electroless deposition, chemical mechanical polishing, and capping layer to introduce the related issues and recent research trends on them.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2004.07c
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• pp.1573-1575
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• 2004

An alumina membrane with nano-sized pores was fabricated by anodic oxidation. The shape and structure of the pore on alumina membrane were changed according to the roughness of aluminum surface. The shape and structure of the nano-sized pre were investigated according to purity of aluminum substrate for the anodization process. The aluminum substrates with 99.5% and 99.999% purities were used. The aluminum substrate(99.5%) was anodized after the processes of pressing, mechanical polishing, chemical polishing, and electrochemical polishing. The nano-sized pores with the pore size of 50 - 100nm, the cell size of 20-50nm and the thickness of $10{\mu}m{\sim}45{\mu}m$ were obtained. Even though the electrochemical polishing was used for the aluminum substrate (99.999%), the same characteristics as the aluminum substrate (99.5%) was obtained. The alumina membrane prepared by anodization for 5 min using fixed voltage method shows the pore with irregular shape. The pore shape was changed to regular shape after pore widening process.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.293-306
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• 2017

Purpose: In this study, an optimal design level of influencing factors on semiconductor polishing process was determined to minimize flexion of both sides on wafers. Methods: First, significant interactions are determined by the stepwise regression method. ANOVA analysis on SN ratio and mean of dependent variable are performed to draw mean adjustment factors. In addition, the optimal levels of mean adjustment factors are decided by comparing means of each level of mean adjustment factors. Results: As a result of ANOVA, a mean adjustment factor was determined as a width of formed flexion on the plate. The mean of the difference has the nearest to 0 in the case when the width of formed flexion has level 2 (4mm). Conclusion: Optimal design levels of semiconductor polishing process are determined as follows; (i) load applied to the wafer carrier has a level 1 (3psi), (ii) load applied to the wafer has a level 1(3psi), (iii) the amount of slurry supplied during polishing has a level 3 (300 co/min), (iv) the width of formed flexion on the plate has level 2 (4mm).