Plasma cleaning and etching methods using non-global-warming compounds
US6242359A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L21/32136
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Provided is a novel method of cleaning a chemical vapor deposition processing chamber having deposits on an inner surface thereof is provided. The process involves forming a plasma from one or more gases comprising a fluorine-containing but otherwise halogen-free non-global-warming compound, and contacting active species generated in the plasma with the inner surface of the chamber, with the proviso that the non-global-warming compound is not trifluoroacetic anhydride. Also provided is a method of etching a layer on a silicon wafer. The method involves the steps of: (a) introducing a silicon wafer into a processing chamber, the silicon wafer comprising a layer to be etched; and (b) forming a plasma from one or more gases comprising a fluorine-containing but otherwise halogen-free non-global-warming compound. Active species generated in the plasma are contacted with the silicon wafer, thereby etching the layer, with the proviso that the non-global-warming compound is not trifluoroacetic anhydride. The chemistries in accordance with the invention provide environmentally benign alternatives to the conventionally used global-warming chemistries for chamber cleaning and semiconductor et…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.