A Study on Improvement of Slurry Filter Efficiency in the CMP Process

CMP 공정에서 슬러리 필터의 효율 개선에 관한 연구

As the integrated circuit device shrinks to smaller dimensions, chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process was required for the global planarization of inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer with free-defect. However, as the inter-metal dielectrics (IMD) layer gets thinner, micro-scratches are becoming as major defects. Micro-scratches are generated by agglomerated slurry, solidified and attached slurry in pipe line of slurry supply system. To prevent agglomerated slurry particle from inflow, we installed 0.5${\mu}m$ POU (point of use) filter, which is depth-type filter and has 80% filtering efficiency for the $1.0{\mu}m$ size particle. In this paper, we studied the relationship between defect generation and pad count to understand the exact efficiency of the slurry filtration, and to find out the appropriate pad usage. Our preliminary results showed that it is impossible to prevent defect-causing particles perfectly through the depth-type filter. Thus, we suggest that it is necessary to optimize the flow rate of slurry to overcome depth type filters weak-point, and to install the high spray of de-ionized Water (DIW) with high pressure.