Process for etching dielectric films with improved resist and/or etch profile characteristics
US7547635B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L21/32136
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A process of etching openings in a dielectric layer includes supporting a semiconductor substrate in a plasma etch reactor, the substrate having a dielectric layer and a patterned photoresist and/or hardmask layer above the dielectric layer; supplying to the plasma etch reactor an etchant gas comprising (a) a fluorocarbon gas (CxFyHz, where x≧1, y≧1, and z≧0), (b) a silane-containing gas, hydrogen or a hydrocarbon gas (CxHy, where x≧1 and y≧4), (c) an optional oxygen-containing gas, and (d) an optional inert gas, wherein the flow rate ratio of the silane-containing gas to fluorocarbon gas is less than or equal to 0.1, or the flow rate ratio of the hydrogen or hydrocarbon gas to fluorocarbon gas is less than or equal to 0.5; energizing the etchant gas into a plasma; and plasma etching openings in the dielectric layer with enhanced photoresist/hardmask to dielectric layer selectivity and/or minimal photoresist distortion or striation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.