Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
The properties of abrasive particles, and their interactions with surface films to be polished, play a key role in chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). This study applies the packed column technique for the investigation of the adhesion phenomena at the particle/film interface as a function of different slurry chemistries relevant to polishing processes. Well-defined dispersions, including uniform spherical silica and silica cores coated with nanosized ceria, as well as calcined alumina were used to represent slurry abrasives, and copper or glass beads to simulate wafers or discs. It was shown that the pH and slurry flow rate had significant effects on particle attachment and removal. The results of deposition of silica particles on copper beads in the presence of various concentrations of H2O2 and of detachment from copper beads of alumina particles, loaded at different pH values, had strong correlations to the polish rates of the metal.