Patent · US Expired

Protection structures for the suppression of plasma damage

US5998299A · kind A · utility

30Cited by
4References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 9, 1997
Grant dateDec 7, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 9, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10D1/716
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Protection structures for suppressing plasma damage. Plasma damage is shown to occur primarily during a metal clear portion of a metal etch as opposed to also occurring during the overetch portion of the etch. The protection structures (202) provide a temporary connection between the metal layer (210) being etched and the substrate or a protection device during the clear portion of the etch. This temporary connection (202) is removed as the metal (210) is cleared.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.