Patent ID: 7344989

Claim:
A method comprising: forming a conductive layer on a surface of a semiconductor wafer; mounting the semiconductor wafer on a wafer carrier of a chemical mechanical polisher (CMP) tool after formation of the conductive layer; removing a portion of the conductive layer while the semiconductor wafer is mounted on the wafer carrier, wherein the act of removing the portion of the conductive layer comprises applying a slurry directly or indirectly to the semiconductor wafer; rotating the semiconductor wafer after removal of the portion of the semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor wafer is rotated while it is mounted on the wafer carrier; applying an acidic solution directly or indirectly to the semiconductor wafer while it is rotating and while the semiconductor wafer is mounted on the wafer carrier; wherein the slurry and the acidic solution are contained in separate containers before they are applied to the semiconductor wafer; engaging the semiconductor wafer with a polishing pad as the acidic solution is applied directly or indirectly to the semiconductor wafer, wherein the semiconductor wafer is engaged with the polishing pad while the semiconductor is mounted on the wafer carrier.