Patent ID: 7468322

Claim:
A method of using an electrochemical planarization composition for removing material from a wafer having an exposed bulk layer and a surface, the method comprising: applying a first current to the wafer at a current density within a range of between about 5 mA/cm 2 and about 20 mA/cm 2 for a time duration suitable to remove a first portion of the bulk layer to thereby planarize the wafer surface; and after the step of applying, administering a second current to the wafer at a current density within a range of between about 20 mA/cm 2 and about 40 mA/cm 2 to the wafer for a time duration suitable to remove a second portion of the bulk layer so that a third portion of the bulk layer having a predetermined thickness remains, wherein the second current is greater than the first current; wherein the electrochemical planarization composition is formulated to planarize a high topography and a low topography of the wafer while a current is supplied to the wafer at a current density within a range of between about 5 mA/cm 2 and about 40 mA/cm 2 .