Polishing Composition for High Group 13 Substrates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Polishing substrates with layers containing 40 mass % or more of elements from group 13 of the periodic table poses challenges in achieving high polishing speed while minimizing surface defects.

Innovation Solution

A polishing composition comprising cationically modified silica, trialkylamine oxide, and an oxidizing agent, with the trialkylamine oxide content between 3 mass ppm and 40 mass ppm, and a pH less than 5, is used to polish substrates with high group 13 element content, enhancing polishing speed and reducing surface defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional polishing compositions are used on substrates with high group 13 element content, then polishing can be performed, but the polishing speed is low and surface defects increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolishing speedVSAvoidsurface defects
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polishing composition by specifying a pH range of 2.0 or less and particular concentrations of oxidizing agents (1-10 mass%) and group 13 element compounds (0.1-5 mass%). These parameter changes enable effective polishing of high group 13 element content substrates while maintaining surface quality and achieving high polishing speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The polishing composition uses a composite formulation combining multiple components: abrasive grains (silica, alumina, or ceria), oxidizing agents (hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, or sodium chlorite), group 13 element compounds (boron, aluminum, gallium, or indium compounds), and various additives. This composite approach synergistically addresses both polishing speed and surface defect reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If polishing composition with high abrasive content is used to increase polishing speed, then productivity improves, but surface defects increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolishing speedVSAvoidsurface defects
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of all components in the polishing composition. Specifically, it controls abrasive grain concentration, oxidizing agent concentration (1-10 mass%), and group 13 element compound concentration (0.1-5 mass%) to achieve optimal balance between material removal rate and surface quality, preventing excessive abrasion that causes defects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces group 13 element compounds and oxidizing agents as intermediary substances that mediate between the abrasive grains and the substrate. These intermediaries chemically interact with the high group 13 element content material, facilitating controlled removal while protecting the substrate from direct mechanical damage that would cause surface defects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enables high-speed polishing of substrates with high group 13 element content while significantly reducing surface defects, improving the efficiency and quality of the polishing process.

Implementation Method 1

the polishing composition containing a cationically modified silica, a trialkylamine oxide, and an oxidizing agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

CMP is a method for flattening a surface of an object to be polished (polishing object) such as a semiconductor substrate using a polishing composition (slurry) containing abrasive grains such as silica

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS20240034907A1Polishing composition, polishing method and method for producing semiconductor substrate
Publication Date: 2024.02.01 FUJIMI INCORPORATED

AI summary

Provided is a polishing composition capable of polishing a layer containing an element in group 13 of the periodic table in a content of 40 mass % or more at a high polishing speed while reducing surface defects due to polishing. Provided is a polishing composition for use in polishing an object to be polished having a layer containing an element in group 13 of the periodic table in a content of 40 mass % or more, the polishing composition containing a cationically modified silica, a trialkylamine oxide, and an oxidizing agent, wherein the content of the trialkylamine oxide is 3 mass ppm or more and 40 mass ppm or less with respect to the total mass of the polishing composition, and the pH is less than 5.