Patent · US Expired

Post metal etch photoresist strip method

US6271115A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
6References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 26, 2000
Grant dateAug 7, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 26, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/02071
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An improved method for removing a photoresist mask from an etched aluminum pattern after etching the pattern in a chlorine containing plasma has been developed. The method is a five step process, in which the first step is in a microwave generated plasma containing O.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O; the second step is in a microwave generated plasma containing O.sub.2 and N.sub.2 ; the third step is in a microwave generated plasma containing H.sub.2 O; the fourth step is in a microwave generated plasma containing O.sub.2 and N.sub.2 ; and the fifth step is in a microwave generated plasma containing H.sub.2 O. The first step which initiates removal of photoresist while simultaneously beginning the passivation process causes residue-free removal of photoresist following etching of aluminum or aluminum-copper layers in chlorine bearing etchants.

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