Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
Two complexing agents, glycine and citric acid, in hydrogen peroxide based slurries for planarizing copper have been compared. Copper dissolution and polish rates and in situ electrochemical experimental results at various slurry pH values and hydroxyl radical concentrations at pH=8.4 are presented. It was observed that the pH of the slurry has a strong influence on copper dissolution and polish rates. While high copper removal rates were observed with citric acid-peroxide solutions at low pH values, glycineperoxide system yielded high Cu removal rates at alkaline pH values. Copper dissolution rates in both the systems at pH 4 and 8 were consistent with the electrochemical measurements. The concentration of hydroxyl radicals generated in citric acid-peroxide system was less than that of those generated in glycine peroxide system at pH=8.4 indicating low copper removal rates at alkaline conditions in the former system.