Patent ID: 8252119
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: B08B,C11D,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for cleaning a microelectronic substrate having a surface containing adsorbed particles, comprising: supplying a washing solution to the microelectronic substrate, the washing solution including an oxidizer, a base, and a polyelectrolyte with a concentration of about 0.01% to about 5% by weight; contacting the washing solution with the surface of the microelectronic substrate for a period of time; controlling an ionization characteristic of the polyelectrolyte based on an isoelectric point of the adsorbed particles; and at least partially removing the adsorbed particles from the surface of the microelectronic substrate with the washing solution, wherein controlling an ionization characteristic includes selecting at least one of a molecular weight of the polyelectrolyte and a functional group of the polyelectrolyte based on a target average electrokinetic potential of the particles.