Patent · US Expired

Method of pattern etching a low K dielectric layer

US6331380A · kind A · utility

92Cited by
39References
44Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 14, 2000
Grant dateDec 18, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 14, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/32136
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A first embodiment of the present invention pertains to a method of patterning a semiconductor device conductive feature while permitting easy removal of any residual masking layer which remains after completion of the etching process. A multi-layered masking structure is used which includes a layer of high-temperature organic-based masking material overlaid by either a patterned layer of inorganic masking material or by a layer of patterned high-temperature imageable organic masking material. The inorganic masking material is used to transfer a pattern to the high-temperature organic-based masking material and is then removed. The high-temperature organic-based masking material is used to transfer the pattern and then may be removed if desired. This method is also useful in the pattern etching of aluminum, even though aluminum can be etched at lower temperatures. A second embodiment of the present invention pertains to a specialized etch chemistry useful in the patterning of organic polymeric layers such as low k dielectrics, or other organic polymeric interfacial layers. This etch chemistry is useful for mask opening during the etch of a conductive layer or is useful in etching d…

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