Physics of the Coefficient of Friction in CMP

Physics of the Coefficient of Friction in CMP

The implications of a theory of lubricated pad asperity wafer contact are traced through several fundamental areas of chemical-mechanical polishing. The hypothesized existence of a nanolubrication layer underlies a high accuracy model of polish rates. It also provides a quantitative explanation of a power law relationship between the coefficient of friction and a measure of pad surface flattening. The theory may further be useful for interpreting friction changes during polishing, and may explain why the coefficient of friction is sometimes observed to have a temperature or velocity dependence.