Patent · US Active

Method of reducing pattern collapse in high aspect ratio nanostructures

US8617993B2 · kind B2 · utility

20Cited by
5References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 1, 2010
Grant dateDec 31, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 1, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/02057
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method is provided for treating the surface of high aspect ratio nanostructures to help protect the delicate nanostructures during some of the rigorous processing involved in fabrication of semiconductor devices. A wafer containing high aspect ratio nanostructures is treated to make the surfaces of the nanostructures more hydrophobic. The treatment may include the application of a primer that chemically alters the surfaces of the nanostructures preventing them from getting damaged during subsequent wet clean processes. The wafer may then be further processed, for example a wet cleaning process followed by a drying process. The increased hydrophobicity of the nanostructures helps to reduce or prevent collapse of the nanostructures.

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