Patent ID: 8272922

Claim:
A chemical mechanical planarization method comprising: providing a chemical mechanical polishing machine; providing a semiconductor substrate; providing a polishing solution; providing a chemical mechanical polishing pad comprising, a permeable substrate having a thickness of 2-100 mils; and a polishing layer comprising a polymeric matrix having microspheres dispersed therein, wherein the polymeric matrix is formed of a water-based polymer blend, wherein the polishing layer is applied on the permeable substrate, wherein the polymeric matrix comprises a blend of 3:1 to 1:3 (by weight) of an aqueous urethane dispersion and an acrylic dispersion, wherein the microspheres are gas filled, wherein the polymeric matrix contains at least 0.3 volume percent microspheres, wherein the microspheres have a weight average diameter of 10-100 μm, wherein the polishing layer has grooves formed therein; mounting the chemical mechanical polishing pad in the chemical mechanical polishing machine; mounting the semiconductor substrate in the chemical mechanical polishing machine; dispensing the polishing solution onto the chemical mechanical polishing pad and into a gap between the semiconductor wafer and the chemical mechanical polishing pad; and, creating dynamic contact between the chemical mechanical polishing pad and the semiconductor wafer, wherein a surface of the semiconductor substrate is polished and made planar; and, wherein the chemical mechanical polishing pad exhibits improved defectivity.