Patent ID: 7531463

Claim:
A method of etching metal portions of a substrate containing a layer of metal and dielectric, the method comprising: receiving the substrate containing the layer of metal and dielectric, wherein the substrate comprises metal overburden covering dielectric field regions; at least partially completing planarization of the overburden; and etching to remove at least a portion of metal remaining exposed on the substrate after planarization by contacting the substrate with a wet etching composition at a pH in a range of between about 5 and 12, the wet etching composition consisting essentially of (i) a complexing agent for ions of the metal, wherein the complexing agent is an aminoacid; (ii) an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of peroxides, permanganates, persulfates, and ozone solution, and (iii) water, wherein the etching composition is a solution, and wherein the etching is accomplished by contacting at least the metal with said solution, wherein the contacting comprises at least one of immersing, spraying, dipping, spin on contact, and using a thin film reactor.