The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 25, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 29, 2001
Yuan Hung Chiu, Taipei, TW;
Yu-I Wang, Taichung, TW;
Hun-Jan Tao, Hsinchu, TW;
Huan Just Lin, Hsinchu, TW;
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd., Hsin Chu, TW;
Abstract
A plasma etch method for plasma etch processing a microelectronic layer formed over a substrate, comprises a two step plasma etch method. Within a first step, the microelectronic layer is etched while employing a first plasma etch method employing a first detection apparatus optimized to measure a thickness of the microelectronic layer. The first detection apparatus controls the first plasma etch method to stop prior to reaching the substrate to thus form from the microelectronic layer a partially etched microelectronic layer. Within a second step, the partially etched microelectronic layer is etched while employing a second plasma etch method employing a second detection apparatus optimized to detect the substrate. The second detection apparatus controls the second etch method to stop on the substrate when etching the partially etched microelectronic layer to form a completely etched microelectronic layer. The method is particularly useful for forming gate electrodes for use within field effect transistors for use within semiconductor integrated circuit microelectronic fabrications.