In an embodiment, a method includes: performing a self-limiting process to modify a top surface of a wafer; after the self-limiting process completes, removing the modified top surface from the wafer; and repeating the performing the self-limiting process and the removing the modified top surface from the wafer until a thickness of the wafer is decreased to a predetermined thickness.

In an embodiment, a method includes: performing a self-limiting process to modify a top surface of a wafer; after the self-limiting process completes, removing the modified top surface from the wafer; and repeating the performing the self-limiting process and the removing the modified top surface from the wafer until a thickness of the wafer is decreased to a predetermined thickness.

Provided is a method that is for polishing a silicon wafer by a polishing device using a carrier holding the silicon wafer, and that can reduce wear on the carrier. In this polishing method, a polishing liquid used in the polishing device contains 0.1-5 mass %, in terms of the concentration of silica, silica particles comprising: silica particles (A) having an average primary particle size of 4-30 nm as measured by BET, and having an (X2/X1) ratio of 1.2-1.8, where X2 (nm) represents an average particle size along the major axis thereof as calculated from a perspective projection image obtained using an electron beam, and X1 (nm) represents the average primary particle size as measured by BET; and silica particles (B) having an average primary particle size of more than 30 nm but not more than 50 nm as measured by BET, and having a (X2/X1) ratio of 1.2-1.8, where X2 (nm) represents an average particle size along the major axis thereof as calculated from a perspective projection image obtained using an electron beam, and X1 (nm) represents the average primary particle size as measured by BET, wherein the mass ratio of the silica particles (A) to the silica particles (B) is 100:0 to 85:15.

Provided are a method for polishing a silicon substrate according to which PID can be reduced and a polishing composition set usable in the polishing method. The silicon substrate polishing method provided by this invention comprises a stock polishing step and a final polishing step. The stock polishing step comprises several stock polishing sub-steps carried out on one same platen. The several stock polishing sub-steps comprise a final stock polishing sub-step carried out while supplying a final stock polishing slurry P.sub.F to the silicon substrate. The total amount of the final stock polishing slurry P.sub.F supplied to the silicon substrate during the final stock polishing sub-step has a total weight of Cu and a total weight of Ni, at least one of which being 1 μg or less.

Provided are a method for polishing a silicon substrate according to which PID can be reduced and a polishing composition set usable in the polishing method. The silicon substrate polishing method provided by this invention comprises a stock polishing step and a final polishing step. The stock polishing step comprises several stock polishing sub-steps carried out on one same platen. The several stock polishing sub-steps comprise a final stock polishing sub-step carried out while supplying a final stock polishing slurry P.sub.F to the silicon substrate. The total amount of the final stock polishing slurry P.sub.F supplied to the silicon substrate during the final stock polishing sub-step has a total weight of Cu and a total weight of Ni, at least one of which being 1 μg or less.

In a substrate polishing apparatus where a polishing liquid passes through inside a rotary joint, the rotary joint requires maintenance. There is provided a substrate polishing apparatus that includes: a polishing head for holding a substrate; a rotary table that has a surface to which a first opening portion is provided; a polishing liquid discharge mechanism disposed to the rotary table; and a controller configured to control at least the polishing liquid discharge mechanism. The polishing liquid discharge mechanism includes a first cylinder, a first piston, and a driving mechanism that drives the first piston. The first opening portion is communicated with a liquid holding space defined by the first cylinder and the first piston. The controller controls the driving of the first piston by the driving mechanism to increase and decrease a volume of the liquid holding space.

A polishing liquid containing: abrasive grains containing a hydroxide of a tetravalent metal element; a monovalent acid component having no carboxy group; and a non-ionic polymer, in which a pH is 4.5 or less. A polishing method including a step of polishing a surface to be polished by using this polishing liquid.

A substrate-cleaning apparatus may include a tilting arm to which a roll brush and a motor are coupled, a support arm positioned on the tilting arm, a first spring and a second spring coupling the tilting arm to the support arm, a first air bag and a second air bag mounted between the tilting arm and the support arm, and a controller configured to adjust an internal pressure of each of the first air bag and the second air bag. The controller may adjust a difference in internal pressure between the first air bag and the second air bag to control the inclination of the roll brush, and may adjust the internal pressure of each of the first air bag and the second air bag to move the roll brush vertically.

The present invention relates to a polishing method and a polishing apparatus for polishing a substrate, such as a wafer. The present invention further relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing the polishing apparatus to perform the polishing method. The polishing method includes: rotating a polishing table (3); and polishing a substrate (W) by pressing the substrate (W) against a polishing surface (2a). Polishing the substrate (W) includes a film-thickness profile adjustment process and a polishing-end-point detection process. The film-thickness profile adjustment process includes adjusting pressing forces on the substrate (W) against the polishing surface (2a) based on a plurality of film thicknesses, and determining a point in time at which a film-thickness index value has reached a film-thickness threshold value. The film-thickness index value is determined from at least one of the plurality of film thicknesses. The polishing-end-point detection process includes measuring a torque for rotating the polishing table (3) and determining a polishing end point based on the torque.

A composition for chemical mechanical polishing and a polishing method allow a semiconductor substrate containing at least one of a polysilicon film and a silicon nitride film to be polished at a high speed, while being capable of reducing the incidence of surface defects in the polished surface. The composition for chemical mechanical polishing contains (A) abrasive grains having plural protrusions on their surfaces and (B) a liquid medium, wherein the absolute value of the zeta-potential of the component (A) in the composition for chemical mechanical polishing is 10 mV or more.