CMP Polishing Composition for High Removal and Low Scratches

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) technologies demonstrate good polishing removal rates but fail to adequately reduce defects on the surface of polished semiconductor substrates.

Innovation Solution

A polishing composition comprising abrasive grains with a zeta potential of −5 mV or less, a first polyoxyalkylene compound with a weight average molecular weight of 100 to 900, and a second polyoxyalkylene compound with a different oxyalkylene unit and similar weight range, maintained at a pH of less than 7, to enhance polishing removal rates while reducing defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional CMP technology is used, then polishing removal rate is improved, but surface defects increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolishing removal rateVSAvoidsurface defect reduction
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the pH of the polishing composition to be less than 7 (acidic condition) and specifying the zeta potential of abrasive grains to be -5 mV or less. These parameter adjustments optimize both the polishing removal rate and surface quality by modifying the chemical and physical properties of the polishing slurry, enabling simultaneous achievement of high productivity and low surface defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high polishing removal rate is achieved, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolishing removal rateVSAvoidsurface flatness and defect-free quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing specific parameter changes: maintaining pH < 7, controlling abrasive grain zeta potential ≤ -5 mV, and using polyoxyalkylene compounds with specific molecular weights (100-900). These parameter optimizations enable the polishing process to achieve high removal rates while simultaneously producing defect-free, flat surfaces, thus improving both productivity and manufacturing precision.

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

The composition achieves a good polishing removal rate for silicon-containing materials while significantly reducing defects such as scratches and organic residues on the polished surface.

Implementation Method 1

abrasive grains having a zeta potential of −5 mV or less

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectZeta potential: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

The CMP is a method for flattening the surface of an object to be polished using a polishing composition that contains abrasive grains

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 3

a first polyoxyalkylene compound having a weight average molecular weight of 100 or more and 900 or less; and a second polyoxyalkylene compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS20260071095A1Polishing composition, polishing method, and method for producing semiconductor substrate
Publication Date: 2026.03.12 FUJIMI INCORPORATED

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a means by which a good polishing removal rate for an object to be polished including a silicon-containing material can be realized while at the same time reducing scratches on the surface of the object to be polished that has been polished. The present disclosure is a polishing composition containing: abrasive grains having a zeta potential of −5 mV or less; a first polyoxyalkylene compound having a weight average molecular weight of 100 or more and 900 or less; and a second polyoxyalkylene compound having an oxyalkylene unit different from that of the first polyoxyalkylene compound and having a weight average molecular weight of 100 or more and 900 or less, wherein the polishing composition has a pH of less than 7.