• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.29 no.4 s.235
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• pp.435-440
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• 2005

In this paper, slurry fluid motion, abrasive particle motion, and roles of groove patterns on the pads are numerically investigated in the 2D and 3D geometries. The simulation results are analyzed in terms of experimental removal rate and WIWNU (Within Wafer Non-Uniformity) for ILD (Inter Level Dielectric) CMP process. Numerical investigations reveal that the grooves in the pad behave as uniform distributor of abrasive particles and enhance the removal rate by increasing shear stress. Higher removal rate and desirable uniformity are numerically and experimentally observed at the pad with grooves. Numerical analysis is very well matched with experimental results and helpful fur understanding polishing mechanism and local physics.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.74-79
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• 2007

Most studies on copper Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) have focused on material removal and its mechanisms. Although many studies have been conducted on the mechanism of Cu CMP, a study on uniformity in Cu CMP is still unknown. Since the aim of CMP is global and local planarization, the approach to various factors related to uniformity in Cu CMP is essential to elucidate the Cu CMP mechanism as well. The main purpose of the experiment reported here was to investigate and mechanically analyze the roles of slurry components in the formation of the uniformity in Cu CMP. In this paper, Cu CMP was performed using citric acid($C_{6}H_{8}O_{7}$), hydrogen peroxide($H_{2}O_{2}$), colloidal silica, and benzotriazole($BTA,\;C_{6}H_{4}N_{3}H$) as a complexing agent, an oxidizer, an abrasive, and a corrosion inhibitor, respectively. All the results of this study showed that within-wafer non-uniformity(WIWNU) of Cu CMP could be controlled by the contents of slurry components.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.707-710
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• 2004

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process has been widely used to planarize dielectric layers, which can be applied to the integrated circuits for sub-micron technology. Despite the increased use of CMP process, it is difficult to accomplish the global planarization of in the defect-free inter-level dielectrics (ILD). In this paper, we have investigated slurry properties and CMP performance of silicon dioxide (oxide) as a function of different temperature of slurry. Thermal effects on the silica slurry properties such as pH, particle size, conductivity and zeta potential were studied. Moreover, the relationship between the removal rate (RR) with WIWNU and slurry properties caused by changes of temperature were investigated. Therefore, the understanding of these temperature effects provides a foundation to optimize an oxide CMP Process for ULSI multi-level interconnection technology.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.29 no.3 s.234
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• pp.432-438
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• 2005

CMP characteristics such as material removal rate and edge effect were measured and investigated in accordance with pad grooving effect, groove width, depth and pitch. GSQ (Groove Stiffness Quotient) and GFQ (Groove Flow Quotient) were proposed to estimate pad grooving characteristics. GSQ is defined as groove depth(D) divided by pad thickness(T) and GFQ is defined as groove width(W) divided by groove pitch(P). As GFQ value increased, material removal rate increased some point but gradually saturated. It seems that material removal rate is not affected by each parameter respectively but by interaction of these parameters such as groove dimensions. In addition, an increase in GFQ and GSQ causes edge effect to be improved. Because, pad stiffness decreases as GSQ and GFQ increase. In conclusion, groove influences relative pad stiffness although original mechanical properties of pad are unchanged by grooving. Also, it affects the flow of slurry that has an effect on the lubrication regime and polishing results. The change of groove dimensions has influence on pad stiffness and slurry flow, so that polishing results such as removal rate and edge effect become changed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.86-89
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• 2003

Chemical Mechanical Planarization(CMP) has been accepted as the most effective processes for ultra large scale integrated (ULSI) chip manufacturing. However, as the polishing process continues, pad pores get to be glazed by polishing residues, which hinder the supply of new slurry. And pad surface is ununiformly deformed as real contact distance. These defects make material removal rate(MRR) decrease with a number of polishied wafer. Also the desired within-chip planarity, within wafer non-uniformity(WIWNU) and wafer to wafer non-uniformity(WTWNU) arc unable to be achieved. So, pad conditioning in CMP Process is essential to overcome these defects. The eletroplated or brazed diamond conditioner is used as the conventional conditioning. And. allumina long fiber, the jet power of high pressure deionized water, vacuum compression. ultrasonic conditioner aided by cavitation effect and ceramic plate conditioner are once used or under investigation. But. these methods arc not sufficient for ununiformly deformed pad surface and the limits of conditioning effect. So this paper focuses on the characteristics of diamond conditioner which reopens glazed pores and removes ununiformly deformed pad away.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.203-207
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• 2008

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) allows the planarization of wafers with two or more materials. There are many elements such as slurry, polishing pad, process parameters and conditioning in CMP process. Especially, polishing pad is considered as one of the most important consumables because this affects its performances such as WIWNU(within wafer non-uniformity) and MRR(material removal rate). In polishing pad, grooves and pores on its surface affect distribution of slurry, flow and profile of MRR on wafer. A subject of this investigation is to apply CMP for planarization of shallow trench isolation structure using microstructure(MS) pad. MS pad is designed to have uniform structure on its surface and manufactured by micro-molding technology. And then STI CMP performances such as pattern selectivity, erosion and comer rounding are evaluated.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.29 no.7 s.238
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• pp.983-989
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• 2005

The effects of mechanical parameters on the characteristics of chemical mechanical polishing(CMP) can be directly evaluated by friction force. The piezoelectric quartz sensor for friction force measurement was installed, and friction force could be detected during CMP process. Furthermore, friction energy can be calculated by multiplying relative velocity by integration of the friction force throughout the polishing time. $SiO_2$ slurry for interlayer dielectric(ILD) CMP was used in this experiment to consider the relation of frictional characteristics and polishing results. From this experiment, it is proven that the friction energy is an essential factor of removal rate. Also, the friction force is related to removal amount per unit length(dH/ds) and friction energy has corelation to the removal rate(dH/dt) and process temporature. Moreover, within wafer non-unifornity(WIWNU) is related to coefficient of friction because of the mechanical moment equilibrium. Therefore, the prediction of polishing result would be possible by measuring friction force.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers C
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.291-296
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• 2006

In this study, the sputtered BTO film was polished by CMP process with the self-developed $BaTiO_3$- and $TiO_2$-mixed abrasives slurries (MAS), respectively. The removal rate of BTO ($BaTiO_3$) thin film using the $BaTiO_3$-mixed abrasive slurry (BTO-MAS) was higher than that using the $TiO_2$-mixed abrasives slurry ($TiO_2$-MAS) in the same concentrations. The maximum removal rate of BTO thin film was 848 nm/min with an addition of $BaTiO_3$ abrasive at the concentration of 3 wt%. The sufficient within-wafer non-uniformity (WIWNU%) below 5% was obtained in each abrsive at all concentrations. The surface morphology of polished BTO thin film was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM).

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.39-42
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• 2002

Recently, CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) technology has been widely used for global planarization of multi-level interconnection for ULSI applications. However, COO (cost of ownership) and COC (cost of consumables) were relatively increased because of expensive slurry. In this paper, we have studied the possibility of recycle of reused silica slurry in order to reduce the costs of CMP slurry. The post-CMP thickness and within-wafer non-uniformity(WIWNU) were measured as a function of different slurry composition. As a experimental result, the performance of reused slurry with annealed silica abrasive of 2 wt% contents was showed high removal rate and low non-uniformity. Therefore, we propose two-step CMP process as follows In the first-step CMP, we can polish the thick and rough film surface using remaked slurry, and then, in the second-step CMP, we can polish the thin film and fine pattern using original slurry. In summary, we can expect the saving of high costs of slurry.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.759-764
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• 2003

Recently, CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) technology has been widely used for global planarization of multi-level interconnection for ULSI applications. However, COO (cost of ownership) and COC (cost of consumables) were relatively increased because of expensive slurry. In this paper, we have studied the possibility of recycle of roused silica slurry in order to reduce the costs of CMP slurry. The post-CMP thickness and within-wafer non-uniformity (WIWNU) wore measured as a function of different slurry composition. As an experimental result, the performance of reused slurry with annealed silica abrasive of 2 wt％ contents was showed high removal rate and low non-uniformity. Therefore, we propose two-step CMP process as follows , In tile first-step CMP, we can polish the thick and rough film surface using remaked slurry, and then, in the second-step CMP, we can polish the thin film and fine pattern using original slurry. In summary, we can expect the saying of high costs of slurry.