Abstract: A post-etch clean up process for OSG. After the trench (112)/via (114) etch in a dual damascene process, a wet chemistry comprising HF and H2O2 is used to remove residues without etching or damaging the OSG film in the ILD (108) or IMD (110).

Abstract: Treating a low-k dielectric layer (104) using a highly oxidizing wet solution (e.g., H2O2) to improve patterning. Resist poisoning occurs due to an interaction between low-k films (104), such as OSG, and DUV resist (130,132). The wet treatment is performed to either pre-treat a low-k dielectric (104) before forming the pattern (130,132) or during a rework of the pattern (130,132) to reduce resist poisoning.

Abstract: A method (100) of fabricating an electronic device (200) formed on a semiconductor wafer. The method forms a layer (215) of a first material in a fixed position relative to the wafer. The first material has a dielectric constant less than 3.6. The method also forms a photoresist layer in (216) a fixed position relative to the layer of the first material. The method also forms at least one void (220) through the layer of the first material in response to the photoresist layer. Further, the method subjects (106) the semiconductor wafer to a plasma which incorporates a gas which includes hydrogen so as to remove the photoresist layer.

Abstract: A non-contact post CMP clean-up process. A corrosion inhibitor is used to protect the copper (118) surface to prevent an electrochemical reaction between the p-well and n-well areas. A multi-step wet chemistry is used to clean all exposed surfaces without etching more than 100 Å of the dielectric (110), copper (118), or liner (116). The first step uses a basic solution and a surfactant (124). The second step uses a diluted HF solution (126) and the third step uses an organic acid solution (128).

Abstract: A post laser blown fuse slag etch for a copper fuse (30) with a barrier metal liner (18), (e.g., TaxNy, Ta, Ti, TixNy). After the fuse (30) is blown, copper and copper complexes may be selectively removed using a nitric acid and H2O2 solution. Then, a corrosion inhibitor is used to passivate the surface of exposed copper (34). Next, the barrier metal (18) of slag (22) is removed using a strong basic etch chemistry comprising a base plus H2O2. This solution removes the barrier metal selectively with respect to passivation layer (e.g., silicon nitride) (16) and oxides/FSG (12). A diluted HF solution may then be used to remove any trace metal or oxidized copper.