| abstract |
The present invention provides an oxide CMP slurry composition for use in planarizing silicon oxide-containing films via CMP during CMOS device fabrication, and a method of planarizing silicon oxide-containing films via CMP using the slurry composition. The oxide CMP slurry composition according to the invention includes: (i) proline, lysine and/or arginine; (ii) a pyrrolidone compound; and (iii) abrasive particles. Proline is presently most preferred for use in the invention. In the STI sub-process of the CMOS device fabrication process, the oxide CMP slurry composition according to the present invention acts to aggressively remove only the silicon dioxide overburden on the processed wafer that is in contact with a polishing pad, which results in the formation of a substantially planar, defect-free surface. The oxide CMP slurry composition according to the invention does not aggressively remove trench silicon dioxide thereby allowing for extended polishing beyond the end point without substantially increasing the minimum step height. |