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:
Sep. 07, 2004
Filed:
Jun. 05, 2002
Zhuxu Wang, Cupertino, CA (US);
Jingbao Liu, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Claes H. Bjorkman, Mountain View, CA (US);
Bryan Pu, San Jose, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A dielectric plasma etch method particularly useful for assuring that residue does not form in large open pad areas used for monitoring etching of narrow via and contact holes. The main dielectric etch of the via and contact holes uses a highly polymerizing chemistry, preferably of a low-F/C fluorocarbon such as C F in conjunction with O and Ar. A short flash step precedes the main plasma etch using a plasma of a gas less polymerizing than the gas of the main etch, and the plasma is not extinguished between the flash and main steps. The flash step may be used to remove an anti-reflection coating (ARC) covering the dielectric layer and use a lean fluorocarbon, such as CF , perhaps together with O and Ar. In the absence of ARC, an argon flash may be used.