Abstract:
Implementations of the present disclosure relate to improved hardmask materials and methods for patterning and etching of substrates. A plurality of hardmasks may be utilized in combination with patterning and etching processes to enable advanced device architectures. In one implementation, a first hardmask and a second hardmask disposed on a substrate having various material layers disposed thereon. The second hardmask may be utilized to pattern the first hardmask during a first etching process. A third hardmask may be deposited over the first and second hardmasks and a second etching process may be utilized to form channels in the material layers.
Abstract:
The invention includes a method of promoting atomic layer etching (ALE) of a surface. In certain embodiments, the method comprises sequential reactions with a metal precursor and a halogen-containing gas. The invention provides a solid substrate obtained according t any of the methods of the invention. The invention further provides a porous substrate obtained according to any of the methods of the invention. The invention further provides a patterned solid substrate obtained according to any of the methods of the invention.
Abstract:
A method for passivating a surface of a semiconductor substrate with fluorine-based layer to protect the surface against oxidation and allow longer queue times. According to one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate having an oxidized layer formed thereon, replacing the oxidized layer with a fluorine-based layer, exposing the fluorine-based layer to an oxidizing atmosphere, where the fluorine-based layer protects the substrate against oxidation by the oxidizing atmosphere, and removing the fluorine-based layer from the substrate using a plasma process. According to another embodiment, the method includes providing a passivated substrate in a vacuum processing tool, the passivated substrate having a fluorine-based layer thereon that is effective for protecting the passivated substrate against oxidation by an oxidizing atmosphere, removing the fluorine-based layer from the passivated substrate using a microwave plasma process in the vacuum processing tool, thereby forming a clean substrate, and processing the clean substrate under vacuum conditions.
Abstract:
A method for passivating a surface of a semiconductor substrate with fluorine-based layer to protect the surface against oxidation and allow longer queue times. According to one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate having an oxidized layer formed thereon, replacing the oxidized layer with a fluorine-based layer, exposing the fluorine-based layer to an oxidizing atmosphere, where the fluorine-based layer protects the substrate against oxidation by the oxidizing atmosphere, and removing the fluorine-based layer from the substrate using a plasma process. According to another embodiment, the method includes providing a passivated substrate in a vacuum processing tool, the passivated substrate having a fluorine-based layer thereon that is effective for protecting the passivated substrate against oxidation by an oxidizing atmosphere, removing the fluorine-based layer from the passivated substrate using a microwave plasma process in the vacuum processing tool, thereby forming a clean substrate, and processing the clean substrate under vacuum conditions.
Abstract:
Methods of selectively etching tungsten relative to silicon-containing films (e.g. silicon oxide, silicon carbon nitride and (poly)silicon) as well as tungsten oxide are described. The methods include a remote plasma etch formed from a fluorine-containing precursor and/or hydrogen (H2). Plasma effluents from the remote plasma are flowed into a substrate processing region where the plasma effluents react with the tungsten. The plasma effluents react with exposed surfaces and selectively remove tungsten while very slowly removing other exposed materials. Sequential and simultaneous methods are included to remove thin tungsten oxide which may, for example, result from exposure to the atmosphere.
Abstract:
A method of etching exposed titanium oxide on heterogeneous structures is described and includes a remote plasma etch formed from a fluorine-containing precursor. Plasma effluents from the remote plasma are flowed into a substrate processing region where the plasma effluents may combine with a nitrogen-containing precursor such as an amine (N:) containing precursor. Reactants thereby produced etch the patterned heterogeneous structures with high titanium oxide selectivity while the substrate is at elevated temperature. Titanium oxide etch may alternatively involve supplying a fluorine-containing precursor and a source of nitrogen-and-hydrogen-containing precursor to the remote plasma. The methods may be used to remove titanium oxide while removing little or no low-K dielectric, polysilicon, silicon nitride or titanium nitride.