Atomic layer clean for removal of photoresist patterning scum
US10494715B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 19, 2017 |
| Grant date | Dec 3, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J2237/334
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for removing photoresist patterning scum from patterning mandrel structures without damaging other features or structures on a semiconductor substrate are desirable for patterning precision. Methods involve cleaning carbon-containing features on a semiconductor substrate by an atomic layer cleaning (ALC) process to descum the carbon-containing features without substantially modifying feature critical dimensions. The ALC process involves exposing the carbon-containing features to an oxidant or reductant in absence of a plasma, or other energetic activation, to modify scum on the surface of the carbon-containing features. The modified scum on the surface of the carbon-containing features is then exposed to an inert gas along with a plasma ignited at a pressure between 0.1 Torr and 10 Torr and a power of less than 200 W to remove the modified scum from the surface of the carbon-containing features.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.