Method to remove metal and silicon oxide during gas-phase sacrificial oxide etch

Abstract

A method for removing sacrificial materials and metal contamination from silicon surfaces during the manufacturing of an integrated micromechanical device and a microelectronic device on a single chip is provided which includes the steps of adjusting the temperature of the chip using a reaction chamber to a temperature appropriate for the selection of a beta-diketone and the design of micromechanical and microelectronic devices, cycle purging the chamber using an inert gas to remove atmospheric gases and trace amounts of water, introducing HF and the beta-diketone as a reactive mixture into the reaction chamber which contains at least one substrate to be etched, flowing the reactive mixture over the substrate until the sacrificial materials and metal contamination have been substantially removed, stopping the flow of the reactive mixture; and cycle purging the chamber to remove residual reactive mixture and any remaining reaction by-products. Optionally, an oxidant gas may be added to the reactive mixture to promote the oxidation of metal species.