Methods and apparatus for electropolishing metal interconnections on semiconductor devices
US6395152B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 2, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L21/7684
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electropolishing apparatus for polishing a metal layer formed on a wafer (31) includes an electrolyte (34), a polishing receptacle (100), a wafer chuck (29), a fluid inlet (5, 7, 9), and at least one cathode (1, 2, 3). The wafer chuck (29) holds and positions the wafer (31) within the polishing receptacle (100). The electrolyte (34) is delivered through the fluid inlet (5, 7, 9) into the polishing receptacle (100). The cathode (1, 2, 3) then applies an electropolishing current to the electrolyte to electropolish the wafer (31). In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, discrete portions of the wafer (31) can be electropolished to enhance the uniformity of the electropolished wafer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.