A method for etching a metal oxide layer on a semiconductor substrate, comprising providing a plurality of cycles, is provided. Each cycle comprises exposing the metal oxide layer to a reactive hydrogen-containing gas or plasma to transform a part of the metal oxide layer into a layer of metal hydride, stopping the exposing the metal oxide layer to the reactive hydrogen-containing gas or plasma, heating the layer of metal hydride to at least a sublimation temperature to sublime the layer of metal hydride, and cooling the metal oxide layer to a temperature below the sublimation temperature.