Abstract: A method and system to monitor characteristics of films by sensing the spectral emissions of a plasma to which the films are exposed. As a result, the method includes sensing optical energy produced by the plasma. The optical energy has a plurality of spectral bands associated therewith, a subset of which is identified as including information corresponding to the film characteristics. The film characteristics are then measured as a function of this information. To increase the accuracy of the measurements, in one embodiment of the present invention a subgroup of the plurality of spectral bands is observed that has data associated that is substantially independent of the characteristics of interest. The characteristics are then measured as a function of both the information and the data.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus system feature detecting faults in process conditions of a plasma-based semiconductor processing system by sensing the spectral emissions of the plasma. As a result, the method includes sensing optical energy produced by the plasma and identifying the fault in the process conditions as a function of one or more of the plurality of spectral bands. To that end, the apparatus includes a detector in optical communication with the processing chamber to sense optical energy generated by the plasma, and a spectrum analyzer, in electrical communication with the optical detector. The spectrum analyzer resolves the spectral bands and produces information corresponding thereto. A processor is in electrical communication with the spectrum analyzer, and a memory is in electrical communication with the processor. The memory includes a computer-readable medium having a computer-readable program embodied therein that controls the system to carry-out the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of etching tungsten or tungsten nitride in semiconductor structures. We have discovered a method of etching tungsten or tungsten nitride which permits precise etch profile control while providing a rapid etch rate. In particular, the method employs the use of a plasma source gas where the chemically functional etchant species are generated from a combination of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen (N2), where the sulfur hexafluoride and nitrogen are provided in a volumetric flow rate ratio within the range of about 1:2.5 to about 6:1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of etching tungsten or tungsten nitride in semiconductor structures, and particularly to the etching of gate electrodes which require precise control over the etching process. We have discovered a method of etching tungsten or tungsten nitride which permits precise etch profile control while providing excellent selectivity, of at least 175:1, for example, in favor of etching tungsten or tungsten nitride rather than an adjacent oxide layer. Typically, the oxide is selected from silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, tantalum pentoxide, zirconium oxide, and combinations thereof. The method appears to be applicable to tungsten or tungsten nitride, whether deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of etching tungsten or tungsten nitride in semiconductor structures, and particularly to the etching of gate electrodes which require precise control over the etching process. We have discovered a method of etching tungsten or tungsten nitride which permits precise etch profile control while providing excellent selectivity, of at least 175:1, for example, in favor of etching tungsten or tungsten nitride rather than an adjacent oxide layer. Typically, the oxide is selected from silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, tantalum pentoxide, zirconium oxide, and combinations thereof. The method appears to be applicable to tungsten or tungsten nitride, whether deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of etching tungsten or tungsten nitride in semiconductor structures, and particularly to the etching of gate electrodes which require precise control over the etching process. We have discovered a method of etching tungsten or tungsten nitride which permits precise etch profile control while providing excellent selectivity, of at least 175:1, for example, in favor of etching tungsten or tungsten nitride rather than an adjacent oxide layer. Typically the oxide is selected from silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, tantalum oxide, zirconium oxide, and combinations thereof. The method appears to be applicable to tungsten or tungsten nitride, whether deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) of chemical vapor deposition (CVD).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of etching tungsten or tungsten nitride in semiconductor structures, and particularly to the etching of gate electrodes which require precise control over the etching process. We have discovered a method of etching tungsten or tungsten nitride which permits precise etch profile control while providing excellent selectivity, of at least 175:1, for example, in favor of etching tungsten or tungsten nitride rather than an adjacent oxide layer. Typically, the oxide is selected from silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, tantalum pentoxide, zirconium oxide, and combinations thereof. The method appears to be applicable to tungsten or tungsten nitride, whether deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD).