Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a contact hole on the semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer comprises, in ascending order, a substrate, a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, and a photo-resist layer. There is a hole in the photo-resist layer. The method comprises: (1) performing a first anisotropic etching process in a downward direction to remove the silicon oxide layer under the hole down to the surface of the silicon nitride layer to form a recess; (2) performing an in-situ plasma cleaning process to entirely remove the polymer material remaining at the bottom of the recess; (3) performing an in-situ second anisotropic etching process in a downward direction to remove the silicon nitride layer from the bottom of the recess down to the surface of the substrate to form the contact hole; (4) performing another in-situ cleaning process to entirely remove the polymer material remaining at the bottom of the contact hole.

Abstract: A seasoning process for an etcher which is performed before etching a dielectric layer to expose a metal silicide layer. The seasoning process includes the first plasma sputtering process and the second plasma sputtering process. A wafer containing the metal silicide layer thereon is placed in the etcher with an etchant and the first plasma sputtering process is performed. Several silicon wafers are successively placed in the etcher to perform the second plasma sputtering process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing an etch stop layer. The method begins by introducing process gases into a processing chamber in which a substrate is disposed. An etch stop layer is then deposited over the substrate. An overlying layer is then deposited over the etch stop layer. The etch stop layer substantially protects underlying materials from the etchants used in patterning the overlying layer. Moreover, the etch stop layer also possesses advantageous optical characteristics, making it suitable for use as an antireflective coating in the patterning of layers underlying the etch stop layer.

Abstract: An etching method used in the high density plasma etching system to etch a silicon oxide dielectric layer to form openings of different depths. The method uses a mixture of C.sub.4 H.sub.8, CH.sub.2 F.sub.2, and Ar as an etching gas source to etch the silicon oxide dielectric layer, forming a plurality of openings of a first depth. A mixture of C.sub.4 H.sub.8, CO, and Ar is used as an etching gas source to etch the silicon oxide dielectric layer exposed by the first opening, so that the opening is deepened to the second depth. Using a mixture of C.sub.4 H.sub.8, CH.sub.2 F.sub.2, CO, and Ar as the etching gas source, the silicon oxide dielectric layer exposed by the opening is etched, so that the openings are deepened to the third depth and the fourth depth.

Abstract: A domed plasma reactor chamber uses an antenna driven by RF energy (LF, MF, or VHF) which is inductively coupled inside the reactor dome. The antenna generates a high density, low energy plasma inside the chamber for etching metals, dielectrics and semiconductor materials. Auxiliary RF bias energy applied to the wafer support cathode controls the cathode sheath voltage and controls the ion energy independent of density. Various magnetic and voltage processing enhancement techniques are disclosed, along with etch processes, deposition processes and combined etch/deposition processed. The disclosed invention provides processing of sensitive devices without damage and without microloading, thus providing increased yields.

Abstract: A general method of the invention is to provide a polymer-hardening precursor piece (such as silicon, carbon, silicon carbide or silicon nitride, but preferably silicon) within the reactor chamber during an etch process with a fluoro-carbon or fluoro-hydrocarbon gas, and to heat the polymer-hardening precursor piece above the polymerization temperature sufficiently to achieve a desired increase in oxide-to-silicon etch selectivity. Generally, this polymer-hardening precursor or silicon piece may be an integral part of the reactor chamber walls and/or ceiling or a separate, expendable and quickly removable piece, and the heating/cooling apparatus may be of any suitable type including apparatus which conductively or remotely heats the silicon piece.

Abstract: A general method of the invention is to provide a polymer-hardening precursor piece (such as silicon, carbon, silicon carbide or silicon nitride, but preferably silicon) within the reactor chamber during an etch process with a fluoro-carbon or fluoro-hydrocarbon gas, and to heat the polymer-hardening precursor piece above the polymerization temperature sufficiently to achieve a desired increase in oxide-to-silicon etch selectivity. Generally, this polymer-hardening precursor or silicon piece may be an integral part of the reactor chamber walls and/or ceiling or a separate, expendable and quickly removable piece, and the heating/cooling apparatus may be of any suitable type including apparatus which conductively or remotely heats the silicon piece.

Abstract: A multilevel contact etching method to form a contact opening is provided. The method contains using an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etcher to produce a high plasma density condition. The plasma gas etchant is composed of C.sub.4 F.sub.8 /CH.sub.2 F.sub.2 /CO/Ar with a ratio of 3:4:12:80 so that silicon nitride can be selectively etched while the silicon and silicide are not etched. Each content ratio of the plasma gas etchant allows a variance of about 20%. Wall temperature of the ICP etcher is about 100.degree. C.-300.degree. C. A cooling system for a wafer pad is about -20.degree. C.-20.degree. C. Chamber pressure is about 5-100 mtorr. Bias power on the wafer pad is about 1000 W-3000 W. Source power of an inductance coil is about 500 W-3000 W.

Abstract: An oxide etching method using low-medium density plasma includes a first etching step to pre-etch the oxide layer with low etching selectivity etchant to pre-form a contact opening and a monitoring opening. The low etching selectivity etchant can also etch the photoresist layer and the photoresist reaction residue. Then, a second etching with high etching selectivity on the oxide is performed to completely form the contact opening with a SAC property and the monitoring opening. The openings expose the substrate.

Abstract: A general method of the invention is to provide a polymer-hardening precursor piece (such as silicon, carbon, silicon carbide or silicon nitride, but preferably silicon) within the reactor chamber during an etch process with a fluoro-carbon or fluoro-hydrocarbon gas, and to heat the polymer-hardening precursor piece above the polymerization temperature sufficiently to achieve a desired increase in oxide-to-silicon etch selectivity. Generally, this polymer-hardening precursor or silicon piece may be an integral part of the reactor chamber walls and/or ceiling or a separate, expendable and quickly removable piece, and the heating/cooling apparatus may be of any suitable type including apparatus which conductively or remotely heats the silicon piece.

Abstract: A plasma reactor chamber uses an antenna driven by RF energy (LF, MF, or VHF) which is inductively coupled inside the reactor dome. The antenna generates a high density, low energy plasma inside the chamber for etching oxygen-containing layers overlying non-oxygen-containing layers with high selectivity. Auxiliary RF bias energy applied to the wafer support cathode controls the cathode sheath voltage and controls the ion energy independent of density. Various magnetic and voltage processing enhancement techniques are disclosed, along with other etch processes, deposition processes and combined etch/deposition processes. The disclosed invention provides processing of sensitive devices without damage and without microloading, thus providing increased yields. Etching of an oxygen-containing layer overlying a non-oxygen-containing layer can be achieved with high selectivity.

Abstract: A domed plasma reactor chamber uses an antenna driven by RF energy (LF, MF, or VHF) which is inductively coupled inside the reactor dome. The antenna generates a high density, low energy plasma inside the chamber for etching metals, dielectrics and semiconductor materials. Auxiliary RF bias energy applied to the wafer support cathode controls the cathode sheath voltage and controls the ion energy independent of density. Various magnetic and voltage processing enhancement techniques are disclosed, along with etch processes, deposition processes and combined etch/deposition processed. The disclosed invention provides processing of sensitive devices without damage and without microloading, thus providing increased yields.

Abstract: A method of etching an oxide over a nitride with high selectivity comprising plasma etching the oxide with a carbon and fluorine-containing etchant gas in the presence of a scavenger for fluorine, thereby forming a carbon-rich polymer which passivates the nitride. This polymer is inert to the plasma etch gases and thus provides high selectivity to the etch process.

Abstract: A method for plasma processing characterized by the steps of disposing a wafer proximate to a cathode within a process chamber, releasing a gas into the chamber, applying R.F. power in the VHF/UHF frequency range to the cathode to form a plasma within the chamber, developing a magnetic field within the chamber having flux lines substantially perpendicular to the surface of the wafer, and varying the strength of the magnetic field until a desired cathode sheath voltage is attained. The apparatus includes a chamber, a wafer-supporting cathode disposed within the chamber, a mechanism for introducing gas into the chamber, an R.F.

Abstract: An improved method of fabricating integrated circuit structures on semiconductor wafers using a plasma-assisted process is disclosed wherein the plasma is generated by a VHF/UHF power source at a frequency ranging from about 50 to about 800 MHz. Low pressure plasma-assisted etching or deposition processes, i.e., processes may be carried out within a pressure range not exceeding about 500 milliTorr; with a ratio of anode to cathode area of from about 2:1 to about 20:1, and an electrode spacing of from about 5 cm. to about 30 cm. High pressure plasma-assisted etching or deposition processes, i.e., processes may be carried out with a pressure ranging from over 500 milliTorr up to 50 Torr or higher; with an anode to cathode electrode spacing of less than about 5 cm.

Abstract: A plasma processing reactor is disclosed which incorporates an integral co-axial transmission line structure that effects low loss, very short transmission line coupling of ac power to the plasma chamber and therefore permits the effective use of VHF/UHF frequencies for generating a plasma. The use of VHF/UHF frequencies within the range 50-800 megahertz provides commercially viable processing rates (separate and simultaneous etching and deposition) and substantial reduction in sheath voltages compared to conventional frequencies such as 13.56 MHz. As a result, the probability of damaging electrically sensitive small geometry devices is reduced.