Patent · US Active

High selectivity and low stress carbon hardmask by pulsed low frequency RF power

US9589799B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
82References
17Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateApr 8, 2014
Grant dateMar 7, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 18, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/02274
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods of forming high etch selectivity, low stress ashable hard masks using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods involve pulsing low frequency radio frequency power while keeping high frequency radio frequency power constant during deposition of the ashable hard mask using a dual radio frequency plasma source. According to various embodiments, the low frequency radio frequency power can be pulsed between non-zero levels or by switching the power on and off. The resulting deposited highly selective ashable hard mask may have decreased stress due to one or more factors including decreased ion and atom impinging on the ashable hard mask and lower levels of hydrogen trapped in the ashable hard mask.

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