Shallow trench isolation (STI) allows tighter device packing and reduced chip area for isolation. STI is critically dependent on the global planarity that is only possible using chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). Ceria-based slurries are considered the most promising candidates for STI CMP. Despite decades of use in glass polishing, the unique characteristics of ceria slurries are not well understood. In this study, we have conducted force measurements and tribological tests using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and a scanning electron microscope to investigate pH-dependent ceria-silica and silica-silica interactions that occur during CMP. Our studies confirm the effect of hydrolysis at high pH during silica-silica abrasion. An additional physicochemical contribution to ceria-silica polishing is identified and discussed. Furthermore, a strong correlation was observed between the AFM based studies and in situ friction force measurements during CMP. (c) 2006 The Electrochemical Society.