Abstract
The megasonic cleaning process proved to be an essential process in cleaning silicon wafers after processes such as pre-oxidation, pre-CVD, pre-EPI, post-ASH and lately post-CMP. Current post-CMP cleans are contact cleaning techniques. These contact techniques have a low throughput and may cause wafer scratching. In addition, in contact cleaning, brush shedding which occurs under many operating conditions causes additional particulate contamination. There is a need for an effective post-CMP cleaning process. Megasonic cleaning provides the best alternative or compliment to brush clean.