Abstract: Methods and structures and methods of designing structures for charge dissipation in an integrated circuit on an SOI substrate. A first structure includes a charge dissipation ring around a periphery of the integrated circuit chip and one or more charge dissipation pedestals physically and electrically connected to the charge dissipation pedestals. The silicon layer and bulk silicon layer of the SOI substrate are connected by the guard ring and the charge dissipation pedestals. The ground distribution grid of the integrated circuit chip is connected to an uppermost wire segment of one or more charge dissipation pedestals. A second structure, replaces the charge dissipation guard ring with additional charge dissipation pedestal elements.

Abstract: Methods and structures and methods of designing structures for charge dissipation in an integrated circuit on an SOI substrate. A first structure includes a charge dissipation ring around a periphery of the integrated circuit chip and one or more charge dissipation pedestals physically and electrically connected to the charge dissipation pedestals. The silicon layer and bulk silicon layer of the SOI substrate are connected by the guard ring and the charge dissipation pedestals. The ground distribution grid of the integrated circuit chip is connected to an uppermost wire segment of one or more charge dissipation pedestals. A second structure, replaces the charge dissipation guard ring with additional charge dissipation pedestal elements.

Abstract: Methods and structures and methods of designing structures for charge dissipation in an integrated circuit on an SOI substrate. A first structure includes a charge dissipation ring around a periphery of the integrated circuit chip and one or more charge dissipation pedestals physically and electrically connected to the charge dissipation pedestals. The silicon layer and bulk silicon layer of the SOI substrate are connected by the guard ring and the charge dissipation pedestals. The ground distribution grid of the integrated circuit chip is connected to an uppermost wire segment of one or more charge dissipation pedestals. A second structure, replaces the charge dissipation guard ring with additional charge dissipation pedestal elements.

Abstract: A two step method of etching a silicon nitride layer carrying a surface oxygen film from a substrate in a plasma reactor employs the steps of (1) a breakthrough step of employing a plasma of oxygen free etchant gases to break through and to remove the surface oxygen containing film from the surface of the silicon nitride layer, and (2) a main step of etching the newly exposed silicon nitride with etchant gases having high selectivity with respect to the silicon oxide underlying the silicon nitride. The plasma etching can be performed while employing magnetic- enhancement of the etching. The plasma etching is performed in a plasma reactor comprising a low pressure, single wafer tool. Plasma etching is performed while employing magnetic-enhancement of the etching. The etchant gases include a halide such as a bromide and a fluoride in the breakthrough step. The etchant gases include an oxygen and bromine containing gas in the main step.

Abstract: A two step method of etching a silicon nitride layer carrying a surface oxygen film from a substrate in a plasma reactor employs the steps of (1) a breakthrough step of employing a plasma of oxygen free etchant gases to break through and to remove the surface oxygen containing film from the surface of the silicon nitride layer, and (2) a main step of etching the newly exposed silicon nitride with etchant gases having high selectivity with respect to the silicon oxide underlying the silicon nitride. The plasma etching can be performed while employing magnetic-enhancement of the etching. The plasma etching is performed in a plasma reactor comprising a low pressure, single wafer tool. Plasma etching is performed while employing magnetic-enhancement of the etching. The etchant gases include a halide such as a bromide and a fluoride in the breakthrough step. The etchant gases include an oxygen and bromine containing gas in the main step.