Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
The effect of bath temperature, megasonic power, and NH4-OH:H2O ratio are studied for particle removal efficiency, surface roughness, and surface Fe concentration in SC-1 cleaning solutions. Experimental results are presented which show removal efficiencies better than 97% on bare silicon wafers for optimized process conditions. These results are related to the etch rate of thermal oxides and a model is developed for reducing surface roughness and minimizing Fe contamination levels while maximizing particle removal efficiency.