Abstract:
A method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having first and second regions that are doped with first and second dopants respectively. The first and second dopants are of opposite types. The method further includes epitaxially growing a first semiconductor layer that is doped with a third dopant. The first and third dopants are of opposite types. The method further includes depositing a dielectric hard mask (HM) layer over the first semiconductor layer; patterning the dielectric HM layer to have an opening over the first region; extending the opening towards the semiconductor substrate; and epitaxially growing a second semiconductor layer in the opening. The second semiconductor layer is doped with a fourth dopant. The first and fourth dopants are of a same type. The method further includes removing the dielectric HM layer; and performing a first CMP process to planarize both the first and second semiconductor layers.
Abstract:
A method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having first and second regions that are doped with first and second dopants respectively. The first and second dopants are of opposite types. The method further includes epitaxially growing a first semiconductor layer that is doped with a third dopant. The first and third dopants are of opposite types. The method further includes depositing a dielectric hard mask (HM) layer over the first semiconductor layer; patterning the dielectric HM layer to have an opening over the first region; extending the opening towards the semiconductor substrate; and epitaxially growing a second semiconductor layer in the opening. The second semiconductor layer is doped with a fourth dopant. The first and fourth dopants are of a same type. The method further includes removing the dielectric HM layer; and performing a first CMP process to planarize both the first and second semiconductor layers.
Abstract:
An IC device manufacturing process effectuates a planar recessing of material that initially varies in height across a substrate. The method includes forming a bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC), baking to induce cross-linking in the BARC, CMP to remove a first portion of the BARC and form a planar surface, then plasma etching to effectuate a planar recessing of the BARC. The plasma etching can have a low selectivity between the BARC and the material being recessed, whereby the BARC and the material are recessed simultaneously. Any of the material above a certain height is removed. Structures that are substantially below that certain height can be protected from contamination and left intact. The method can be particularly effective when an abrasive used during CMP forms ester linkages with the BARC.
Abstract:
An apparatus for performing chemical mechanical polish on a wafer includes a polishing head that includes a retaining ring. The polishing head is configured to hold the wafer in the retaining ring. The retaining ring includes a first ring having a first hardness, and a second ring encircled by the first ring, wherein the second ring has a second hardness smaller than the first hardness.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit device is provided. A first feature, which has a first susceptibility to damage by chemical mechanical processing (CMP), is formed at a first height as measured from an upper surface of the substrate. A second feature, which has a second susceptibility to damage by the CMP, is formed at a second height as measured from the upper surface of the substrate and is laterally spaced from the first feature by a recess. The second height is greater than the first height, and the second susceptibility is less than the first susceptibility. A sacrificial coating is formed in the recess over an uppermost surface of the first feature. CMP is performed to remove a first portion of the sacrificial coating and expose an upper surface of the second feature while leaving a second portion of the sacrificial coating in place over the first feature.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit device in some embodiments. In the method, a semiconductor substrate is processed through a series of operations to form a topographically variable surface over the semiconductor substrate. The topographically variable surface varies in height across the semiconductor substrate. A polymeric bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) is provided over the topographically variable surface. Chemical mechanical polishing is performed to remove a first portion of the BARC, and etching effectuates a top-down recessing of the BARC.
Abstract:
An IC device manufacturing process effectuates a planar recessing of material that initially varies in height across a substrate. The method includes forming a bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC), baking to induce cross-linking in the BARC, CMP to remove a first portion of the BARC and form a planar surface, then plasma etching to effectuate a planar recessing of the BARC. The plasma etching can have a low selectivity between the BARC and the material being recessed, whereby the BARC and the material are recessed simultaneously. Any of the material above a certain height is removed. Structures that are substantially below that certain height can be protected from contamination and left intact. The method can be particularly effective when an abrasive used during CMP forms ester linkages with the BARC.
Abstract:
A wafer polishing process includes polishing a central area on the back side of a wafer, polishing a peripheral area on the back side of the wafer, buffing the central area, and buffing the peripheral area. The process can significantly reduce scratch-related wafer breakage, can correct focus spots on wafers, and can replace cleaning processes that use chemical etchants. Polishing and buffing can include polishing and buffing the bevel region. Further improvements include polishing with abrasive pads having a soft backing, polishing or buffing with pads having relatively soft abrasive particles, polishing or buffing with abrasive pads made from abrasive particles that have been sorted and selected for regularity of shape, irrigating the surface being polished or buffed with an aqueous solution that includes a friction-reducing agent, and buffing with abrasive pads having 20k or finer grit or non-abrasive pads.
Abstract:
An apparatus for performing chemical mechanical polish on a wafer includes a polishing head that includes a retaining ring. The polishing head is configured to hold the wafer in the retaining ring. The retaining ring includes a first ring having a first hardness, and a second ring encircled by the first ring, wherein the second ring has a second hardness smaller than the first hardness.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit device is provided. A first feature, which has a first susceptibility to damage by chemical mechanical processing (CMP), is formed at a first height as measured from an upper surface of the substrate. A second feature, which has a second susceptibility to damage by the CMP, is formed at a second height as measured from the upper surface of the substrate and is laterally spaced from the first feature by a recess. The second height is greater than the first height, and the second susceptibility is less than the first susceptibility. A sacrificial coating is formed in the recess over an uppermost surface of the first feature. CMP is performed to remove a first portion of the sacrificial coating and expose an upper surface of the second feature while leaving a second portion of the sacrificial coating in place over the first feature.