Patent ID: 7112121
Filing Date: 2006-09-26
Classification: B23H,B24B,C25F,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for removing material from a face surface of a microelectronic substrate, comprising: engaging the microelectronic substrate with a polishing surface of a polishing pad; electrically coupling a conductive material of the microelectronic substrate to a source of electrical potential by positioning first and second electrodes proximate to and spaced apart from the face surface of the microelectronic substrate and disposing an electrolytic fluid between the face surface and the electrodes while the face surface is engaged with the polishing surface of the polishing pad, with both the electrodes in fluid communication with each other and the electrolytic fluid; oxidizing at least a portion of the conductive material by passing an electrical current through the first and second electrodes and the conductive material from the source of electrical potential; and removing the portion of the conductive material from the microelectronic substrate by moving at least one of the microelectronic substrate and the polishing pad relative to the other.