Polishing Composition for Silicon Carbide Wafer Oxidative Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current polishing compositions for hexagonal silicon carbide single crystal wafers, such as those containing colloidal silica or chromium oxide, have insufficient removal rates, leading to long polishing times and potential contamination risks, with chromium oxide posing environmental hazards.

Innovation Solution

A polishing composition comprising a vanadate and an oxygen donor, along with abrasive grains and a pH adjusting agent, which increases the removal rate by promoting oxidative cleavage of Si—C bonds through metastable peroxovanadate ions, while being environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If polishing composition containing colloidal silica is used, then polishing can be performed, but the removal rate is insufficient and polishing time becomes extremely long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremoval rateVSAvoidpolishing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the polishing slurry by introducing vanadate and oxygen donor substances. This chemical parameter change enables high-velocity removal of the work affected layer through oxidative reactions, dramatically reducing polishing time while maintaining effective polishing action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs vanadate and oxygen donor as strong oxidizing agents that accelerate the oxidation of silicon carbide surface layers. This accelerated oxidation enables rapid removal of the work affected layer, directly addressing the insufficient removal rate and excessive polishing time problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

2Productivity

If polishing composition containing chromium oxide abrasive grains is used, then removal rate can be improved, but chromium oxide contaminates the wafer and harms the environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremoval rateVSAvoidwafer contamination and environmental harm
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates chromium oxide from the polishing composition entirely. By removing this harmful substance, the invention prevents wafer contamination and environmental harm while maintaining effective polishing performance through alternative chemical mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces persistent harmful materials like chromium oxide with environmentally friendly, biodegradable alternatives. The new composition uses substances that do not contaminate wafers or harm the environment, effectively substituting toxic materials with safe ones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 high removal rates for both the (0001)Si and (000-1)C faces of hexagonal silicon carbide wafers, reducing polishing time and material costs, with improved stability and reduced environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

increases the removal rate by promoting oxidative cleavage of Si—C bonds through metastable peroxovanadate ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidative cleavage: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS8647527B2Polishing composition and polishing method using the same
Publication Date: 2014.02.11 FUJIMI INCORPORATED

AI summary

A polishing composition contains a vanadate such as ammonium vanadate, sodium vanadate, and potassium vanadate and an oxygen donor such as hydrogen peroxide and ozone. It is preferable that the polishing composition further contains at least either one of abrasive grains and a pH adjusting agent. The polishing composition can be suitably used for polishing a silicon carbide wafer such as a hexagonal silicon carbide single crystal wafer.