Multi-step chemical mechanical polishing
US6261158A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 17, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 16, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L21/7684
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multi-step CMP system is used to polish a wafer to form metal interconnects in a dielectric layer upon which barrier and metal layers have been formed. A first polish removes an upper portion of the metal layer using a first slurry and a first set of polishing parameters, leaving residual metal within the dielectric layer to serve as the metal interconnects. A second polish of the wafer on the same platen and polishing pad removes portions of the barrier layer using a second slurry under a second set of polishing parameters. The second polish clears the barrier layer from the upper surface of the dielectric layer, thereby forming the metal interconnect. To reduce dishing and dielectric erosion, the second slurry is selected so that the barrier layer is removed at a faster rate than the residual metal within the dielectric layer. A cleaning step may be optionally performed between the first and second polishes. Further, the first polish may include a soft landing step to further reduce dishing and dielectric erosion. Alternatively, the first polish may be used to remove portions of the metal and barrier layers, leaving residual metal in the dielectric layer to serve as the metal i…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.