Abstract:
A method includes forming top metal lines over a semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate is a portion of a wafer having a bevel. When the top metal lines are exposed, an etchant is supplied on the bevel, wherein regions of the wafer sprayed with the etchant has an inner defining line forming a first ring having a first diameter. A trimming step is performed to trim an edge portion of the wafer, wherein an edge of a remaining portion of the wafer has a second diameter substantially equal to or smaller than the first diameter.
Abstract:
A grinding wheel comprises an outer base with a first attached grain pad; and an inner frame with a second attached grain pad; and a spindle axis shared by the outer base and the inner frame, wherein at least one of the outer base and the inner frame can move independently along the shared spindle axis; and wherein the outer base, the inner frame, and the shared spindle axis all have a same center. A grinding system comprises an above said grinding wheel, and a wheel head attached to the shared spindle axis, capable of moving vertically, in addition to a motor driving the grinding wheel to spin; and a chuck table for fixing a wafer on top of the chuck table; wherein the grinding wheel overlaps a portion of the chuck table, each capable of spinning to the opposite direction of another.
Abstract:
A method of measuring dimensional characteristics includes providing a substrate and forming a reflective layer over the substrate. A dielectric layer is then formed over the reflective layer. The dielectric layer includes a grating pattern and a resistivity test line inset in a transparent region. Radiation is then directed onto the dielectric layer so that some of the radiation is transmitted through the transparent region to the reflective layer. A radiation pattern is then detected from the radiation reflected and scattered by the metal grating pattern. The radiation pattern is analyzed to determine a first dimensional information. Then the resistance of the resistivity test line is measured, and that resistance is analyzed to determine a second dimensional information. The first and second dimensional informations are then compared.
Abstract:
A method of measuring dimensional characteristics includes providing a substrate and forming a reflective layer over the substrate. A dielectric layer is then formed over the reflective layer. The dielectric layer includes a grating pattern and a resistivity test line inset in a transparent region. Radiation is then directed onto the dielectric layer so that some of the radiation is transmitted through the transparent region to the reflective layer. A radiation pattern is then detected from the radiation reflected and scattered by the metal grating pattern. The radiation pattern is analyzed to determine a first dimensional information. Then the resistance of the resistivity test line is measured, and that resistance is analyzed to determine a second dimensional information. The first and second dimensional informations are then compared.
Abstract:
For 0.18 micron technology, it is common practice to use silicon oxynitride as an anti-reflective layer for defining the via etch patterns. It has however been found that, using current technology, residual particles of oxynitride get left behind. The present invention solves this problem by subjecting the surface from which the silicon oxynitride was removed to a high pressure rinse of an aqueous solution that includes a surfactant such as tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide or isopropyl alcohol. These surfactants serve to modify the hydrophobic behavior of the silicon oxynitride particles so that they no longer cling to the surface.
Abstract:
A wafer edge trim blade includes a round blade body and at least one slot formed inward from an outside edge of the round blade body. The at least one slot is configured to remove debris generated during wafer edge trimming using the wafer edge trim blade.
Abstract:
Methods of thinning a plurality of semiconductor wafers and apparatuses for carrying out the same are disclosed. A grinding module within a set of grinding modules receives and grinds a semiconductor wafer. A polishing module receives the semiconductor wafer from the grinding module and polishes the wafer. The polishing module is configured to polish the semiconductor wafer in less time than the grinding module is configured to grind the corresponding wafer.
Abstract:
A metal polishing slurry includes a chemical solution and abrasives characterized by a bimodal or other multimodal distribution of particle sizes or a prevalence of two or more particle sizes or ranges of particle sizes. A method and system for using the slurry in a CMP polishing operation, are also provided.
Abstract:
Semiconductor devices and back side illumination (BSI) sensor manufacturing methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a workpiece and forming an integrated circuit on a front side of the workpiece. A grid of a conductive material is formed on a back side of the workpiece using a damascene process.
Abstract:
Methods of thinning a plurality of semiconductor wafers and apparatuses for carrying out the same are disclosed. A grinding module within a set of grinding modules receives and grinds a semiconductor wafer. A polishing module receives the semiconductor wafer from the grinding module and polishes the wafer. The polishing module is configured to polish the semiconductor wafer in less time than the grinding module is configured to grind the corresponding wafer.