Vapor-etch cyclic process
US10607851B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 25, 2017 |
| Grant date | Mar 31, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 25, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10B12/05
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Various embodiments comprise methods of selectively etching oxides over nitrides in a vapor-etch cyclic process. In one embodiment, the method includes, in a first portion of the vapor-etch cyclic process, exposing a substrate having oxide features and nitride features formed thereon to selected etchants in a vapor-phase chamber; transferring the substrate to a post-etch heat treatment chamber; and heating the substrate to remove etchant reaction products from the substrate. In a second portion of the vapor-etch cyclic process, the method continues with transferring the substrate from the post-etch heat treatment chamber to the vapor-phase chamber; exposing the substrate to the selected etchants in the vapor-phase chamber; transferring the substrate to the post-etch heat treatment chamber; and heating the substrate to remove additional etchant reaction products from the substrate. Apparatuses for performing the method and additional methods are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.