Patent ID: 6242351
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: C09G,C09K,H01L

Abstract:
A multistage process for the chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) of a semiconductor wafer, which comprises the steps of:(a) forming a primary aqueous slurry from:(i) between about 0 and 5 wt-% of an oxidizer,(ii) between about 0 and 7 wt-% of one or more of a complexing agent or a passivating agent,(iii) between about 0 and 5 wt-% of a surfactant,(iv) between about 0.001 and 5 wt-% diamond particles having an average particle size not above about 0.4 .mu.m, and(v) an amount of a pH adjustment agent so that the aqueous slurry has a pH of between about 3 and 10.(b) subjecting a semiconductor wafer to CMP using said primary aqueous slurry;(c) subjecting said semiconductor wafer from step (b) to a cleaning operation;(d) forming a secondary aqueous slurry from:(i) between about 0 and 7 wt-% of a complexing agent,(ii) between about 0 and 5 wt-% of a surfactant,(iii) between about 0.001 and 5 wt-% diamond particles having an average particle size not above about 0.4 .mu.m, and(iv) an amount of a pH adjustment agent so that the aqueous slurry has a pH of between about 4 and 10;(e) subjecting a semiconductor wafer to CMP using said secondary aqueous slurry; and(f) subjecting said semiconductor wafer from step (e) to a cleaning operation.