Patent · US Active

Method for removing masking materials with reduced low-k dielectric material damage

US7790047B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
14References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 25, 2006
Grant dateSep 7, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 16, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/31138
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods for removing masking materials from a substrate having exposed low-k materials while minimizing damage to exposed surfaces of the low-k material are provided herein. In one embodiment a method for removing masking materials from a substrate includes providing a substrate having exposed low-k materials and a masking material to be removed; exposing the masking material to a first plasma formed from a reducing chemistry for a first period of time; and exposing the masking material to a second plasma formed from an oxidizing chemistry for a second period of time. The steps may be repeated as desired and may be performed in reverse order. Optionally, at least one diluent gas may be added to the oxidizing chemistry.

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