Patent ID: 6251788
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method for planarizing a surface of a semiconductor wafer using a chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) process, said method comprising the steps of:(a) applying a coating solution containing a polymeric material on a semiconductor wafer having a non-planar surface;(b) curing said polymeric material to cause said polymeric material to become hardened and form a hardened polymeric layer;(c) subjecting said hardened polymeric layer to a gas plasma treatment causing an outer portion of said polymeric layer to become a SiO.sub.2 -like polymer layer;(d) depositing an oxide film on said SiO.sub.2 -like polymer layer wherein said oxide film having a CMP removal rate slower than said SiO.sub.2 -like polymer layer; and(e) polishing said low CMP removal rate oxide film and said SiO.sub.2 -like layer using a CMP process.