System and method for controllable non-volatile metal removal
US9611552B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 2015 |
| Grant date | Apr 4, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 13, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L21/67253
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A system and method for removing metal from a substrate in a controlled manner is disclosed. The system includes a chamber, with one or more gas inlets to allow the flow of gasses into the chamber, at least one exhaust pump, to exhaust gasses from the chamber, and a heater, capable of modifying the temperature of the chamber. In some embodiments, one or more gasses are introduced into the chamber at a first temperature. The atoms in these gasses chemically react with the metal on the surface of the substrate to form a removable compound. The gasses are then exhausted from the chamber, leaving the removable compound on the surface of the substrate. The temperature of the chamber is then elevated to a second temperature, greater than the sublimation temperature of the removable compound. This increased temperature allows the removable compound to become gaseous and be exhausted from the chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.