Patent ID: 7588677
Filing Date: 2009-09-15
Classification: B23H,B24B,C25F,H01L

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