Novellus Systems Incorporated

Lam Research Corporation

Kirk J Ostrowski

David Wingto Cheung

Anirban Guha

Samantha SiamHwa Tan

Roey Shaviv

Mark Naoshi Kawaguchi

Yongsik Yu

David L Chen

Joon Hong Park

Haoquan Fang

Ilia Kalinovski

Helmuth W Treichel

Nathan Musselwhite

Jack Kuo

Karthik Subramanian Colinjivadi

Bayu Thedjoisworo

Senzi Li

Ted Li

Zhao Li

Nikkon Ghosh

Jim Su

Patrick J Lord

Chevan Goonetilleke

Guhua Yao

Methods and apparatuses for etching metal-doped carbon-containing materials are provided herein. Etching methods include using a mixture of an etching gas suitable for etching the carbon component of the metal-doped carbon-containing material and an additive gas suitable for etching the metal component of the metal-doped carbon-containing material and igniting a plasma to selectively remove metal-doped carbon-containing materials relative to underlayers such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon, at high temperatures. Apparatuses suitable for etching metal-doped carbon-containing materials are equipped with a high temperature movable pedestal, a plasma source, and a showerhead between a plasma generating region and the substrate.

Metal doped carbon based hard mask removal in semiconductor fabrication

Provided herein are methods and apparatus of hydrogen-based photoresist strip operations that reduce dislocations in a silicon wafer or other substrate. According to various embodiments, the hydrogen-based photoresist strip methods can employ one or more of the following techniques: 1) minimization of hydrogen budget by using short processes with minimal overstrip duration, 2) providing dilute hydrogen, e.g., 2%-16% hydrogen concentration, 3) minimization of material loss by controlling process conditions and chemistry, 4) using a low temperature resist strip, 5) controlling implant conditions and concentrations, and 6) performing one or more post-strip venting processes. Apparatus suitable to perform the photoresist strip methods are also provided.

Photoresist strip processes for improved device integrity

Improved methods for stripping photoresist and removing ion implant related residues from a work piece surface are provided. According to various embodiments, plasma is generated using elemental hydrogen, a fluorine-containing gas and a protectant gas. The plasma-activated gases reacts with the high-dose implant resist, removing both the crust and bulk resist layers, while simultaneously protecting exposed portions of the work piece surface. The work piece surface is substantially residue free with low silicon loss.

Ultra low silicon loss high dose implant strip

A method of cleaning a low dielectric constant film in a lithographic process includes providing a dielectric film having thereover a resist composition, the dielectric film having a dielectric constant no greater than about 4.0, and stripping the resist composition to leave a substantially silicon-containing ash residue on the dielectric film. The method then includes contacting the ash residue with plasma comprising an ionized, essentially pure noble gas such as helium to remove the resist residue without substantially affecting the underlying dielectric film.

Plasma based photoresist removal system for cleaning post ash residue

Improved methods for stripping photoresist and removing etch-related residues from dielectric materials are provided. In one aspect of the invention, methods involve removing material from a dielectric layer using a hydrogen-based etch process employing a weak oxidizing agent and fluorine-containing compound. Substrate temperature is maintained at a level of about 160&#xb0; C. or less, e.g., less than about 90&#xb0; C.

Low damage photoresist strip method for low-K dielectrics

A unique photoresist strip sequence using a downstream plasma system is described. The sequence can include a RF directional plasma alone, downstream plasma alone or combine both RF plasma and downstream plasma together. The process sequence can be a single step or multiple steps, which produce high strip rates while maintaining the dielectric properties of the film. The process can be an oxidizing process carried out at low temperature and low pressure, which reduces the reactivity of the oxygen with the low-k film. Furthermore, by adding a small percentage of an additive gas, such as a fluorine-containing gas, to the plasma, the inorganic residues from the strip process are removed, leaving a clean film cleared of photoresist and residue.

Method for removing photoresist from low-k films in a downstream plasma system

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Kirk J Ostrowski