E.i. Dupont De Nemours and Company

Tessera Mems Technologies, Inc.

Stephen E Vargo

Roman Gutierrez

Frank L Schadt, Iii

Chester E Balut

A method for protecting a chuck membrane in a reactive ion etcher during plasma processing is described. The method utilizes a photoresist as a protective layer. Suitable photoresists can be used in this invention to not only image a semiconductor substrate to protect areas where vias and/or cavities are not desired during plasma processing but also to protect the chuck membrane(s) of the reactive ion etcher from being damaged and/or contaminated during plasma processing. Both negative-working and positive-working photoresists can be used.

Method for membrane protection during reactive ion/plasma etching processing for via or cavity formation in semiconductor manufacture

Systems and techniques for enhanced etch processes. For example, a substrate may be received in an etch chamber, where the substrate comprises a handle layer, a bonding layer in communication with the handle layer, and a device layer in communication with the bonding layer. The device layer may comprise a device layer patterned therein and having a bottom surface, where the bottom surface of the device is attached to the bonding layer. The bonding layer may comprise an oxide annealed at relatively low temperature. A dry etch process may be performed to release the bottom surface of the device from the bonding layer.

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Arcadia, CA, United States of America

Stephen E Vargo