Cerium Oxide Abrasive Grain Selection for Higher Silicon Oxide CMP Rate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polishing liquids containing abrasive grains struggle to adjust the polishing rate of materials effectively, particularly for silicon oxide in blanket wafers, necessitating a novel method to enhance polishing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A selection method for raw materials based on positron lifetime measurement is used to produce abrasive grains, specifically cerium oxide derived from cerium oxycarbonate or cerium carbonate, which are then pulverized and mixed with water to create a polishing liquid, enabling precise control of polishing rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional polishing liquids are used, then polishing can be performed, but the polishing rate of silicon oxide cannot be sufficiently increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolishing rateVSAvoidpolishing rate consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the polishing liquid by specifying precise concentrations of cerium oxide (0.01-10 wt%), ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (0.001-1 wt%), and hydrogen peroxide (0.01-1 wt%). These parameter adjustments enable simultaneous achievement of high polishing rate (50 nm/min or more) and consistent polishing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite polishing liquid formulation combining cerium oxide abrasive grains with chemical agents (ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and hydrogen peroxide). This composite approach enables both mechanical abrasion and chemical reaction to work synergistically, achieving high polishing rates while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If polishing rate is increased, then efficiency improves, but control over polishing rate becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolishing rateVSAvoidpolishing rate adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables polishing rate adjustment through controlled variation of chemical composition parameters within specified ranges. By adjusting cerium oxide concentration (0.01-10 wt%), ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (0.001-1 wt%), and hydrogen peroxide (0.01-1 wt%), the polishing rate can be precisely controlled while maintaining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a dynamic polishing system where the chemical composition can be adjusted to adapt to different polishing requirements. The formulation allows flexible control of polishing rate by modifying the concentrations of active ingredients, providing adaptability for different applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If existing abrasive grains are used, then polishing can proceed, but high polishing rates of 50 nm/min or more cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolishing rateVSAvoidpolishing liquid formulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention achieves high polishing rates by using cerium oxide as the abrasive grain material in a composite formulation with specific chemical agents. This composite approach enables polishing rates of 50 nm/min or more while maintaining ease of manufacture through straightforward mixing of the specified components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention simplifies the path to high polishing rates by specifying clear concentration ranges for each component: cerium oxide (0.01-10 wt%), ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (0.001-1 wt%), and hydrogen peroxide (0.01-1 wt%). These defined parameters make the formulation easy to manufacture while achieving the desired high polishing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for high polishing rates of silicon oxide in blanket wafers, achieving rates of 50 nm/min or more, addressing the inefficiencies of prior technologies.

Implementation Method 1

the raw material is selected on the basis of an average value of a positron lifetime as measured by a positron annihilation method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPositron annihilation:

Implementation Method 2

CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) technology

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 3

CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) technology

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20250263594A1Raw material for obtaining abrasive grains and method for selecting same, abrasive grain production method, polishing solution production method, polishing method, component production method, and semiconductor component production
Publication Date: 2025.08.21 RESONAC CORP

AI summary

A selection method for a raw material for obtaining abrasive grains, in which the raw material contains cerium, and the raw material is selected on the basis of an average value of a positron lifetime as measured by a positron annihilation method. A raw material for obtaining abrasive grains, the raw material containing cerium, in which an average value of a positron lifetime as measured by a positron annihilation method is 285 to 360 ps. A method for producing abrasive grains, including pulverizing the above-described raw material. A method for producing a polishing liquid, including mixing the abrasive grains obtained by the above-described method for producing abrasive grains, and water. A polishing method, including polishing a member to be polished by using the polishing liquid obtained by the above-described method for producing a polishing liquid.