A process for etching a pattern-masked conductor substrate anisotropically so as to obtain very high etch rates comprising adding a polymer-forming fluorocarbon gas and an etch gas at high flow rates to an etch chamber at etching pressures of 77 millitorr to 100 Torr using a high source power and bias power to the substrate support electrode to form a high density plasma. The gases can be added together, sequentially or alternately.