The present invention pertains to apparatus and methods for planarization of metal surfaces having both recessed and raised features, over a large range of feature sizes. The invention accomplishes this by increasing the fluid agitation in raised regions with respect to recessed regions. That is, the agitation of the electropolishing bath fluid is agitated or exchanged as a function of elevation on the metal film profile. The higher the elevation, the greater the movement or exchange rate of bath fluid. In preferred methods of the invention, this agitation is achieved through the use of a microporous electropolishing pad that moves over (either near or in contact with) the surface of the wafer during the electropolishing process. Thus, methods of the invention are electropolishing methods, which in some cases include mechanical polishing elements.

 
Web www.patentalert.com

< Method for controlling development in automatic developing machine for photosensitive lithographic printing plate precursor and automatic developing machine therefor

> Method of use of peptide antagonists of zonulin to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes

> Textured electrolyte sheet for solid oxide fuel cell

~ 00518