Abstract: There is provided an etching method including: loading a substrate having a recess and an etching target portion existing on an inner surface of the recess into a processing container, the etching target portion being made of SiN or Si; preferentially modifying a surface of the etching target portion at a top portion of the recess by performing an oxygen-containing plasma process on the substrate inside the processing container; and subsequently, dry-etching the etching target portion in an isotropic manner.

Abstract: There is provided a substrate processing method which includes: treating a substrate using a fluorine-containing gas; and exposing the substrate to a moisture-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: A method capable of increasing a degree of freedom of process conditions that can be set in a plasma treatment while limiting deterioration in the electrical characteristics of a silicon or metal oxide film exposed to plasma, in performing the plasma treatment on a substrate. The method includes: processing a substrate on which a silicon or metal oxide film is formed, with plasma obtained by plasmarizing a process gas composed of a halogen compound; and subsequently, heating the substrate at a temperature of 450 degrees C. or higher in an inert gas atmosphere or a vacuum atmosphere in a state where the metal oxide film exposed to the plasma is exposed. Thus, deterioration in the characteristics of the oxide film caused by the plasma treatment are restored.

Abstract: There is provided a substrate processing method which includes: treating a substrate using a fluorine-containing gas; and exposing the substrate to a moisture-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: There is provided an etching method including: loading a substrate having a recess and an etching target portion existing on an inner surface of the recess into a processing container, the etching target portion being made of SiN or Si; preferentially modifying a surface of the etching target portion at a top portion of the recess by performing an oxygen-containing plasma process on the substrate inside the processing container; and subsequently, dry-etching the etching target portion in an isotropic manner.

Abstract: A temperature control device includes a moving stage allowed to be heated and configured to mount a processing target object on a top surface thereof; a cooling body allowed to be cooled and fixed at a position under the moving stage; a shaft, having one end connected to the moving stage; the other end positioned under the cooling body; a first flange provided at the other end; and a second flange provided between the first flange and the cooling body, extended between the one end and the other end; a driving plate, provided between the first flange and the second flange, having a top surface facing the second flange and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface; an elastic body provided between the bottom surface of the driving plate and the first flange; and a driving unit configured to move the driving plate up and down.

Abstract: A method capable of increasing a degree of freedom of process conditions that can be set in a plasma treatment while limiting deterioration in the electrical characteristics of a silicon or metal oxide film exposed to plasma, in performing the plasma treatment on a substrate. The method includes: processing a substrate on which a silicon or metal oxide film is formed, with plasma obtained by plasmarizing a process gas composed of a halogen compound; and subsequently, heating the substrate at a temperature of 450 degrees C. or higher in an inert gas atmosphere or a vacuum atmosphere in a state where the metal oxide film exposed to the plasma is exposed. Thus, deterioration in the characteristics of the oxide film caused by the plasma treatment are restored.

Abstract: A temperature control device includes a moving stage allowed to be heated and configured to mount a processing target object on a top surface thereof; a cooling body allowed to be cooled and fixed at a position under the moving stage; a shaft, having one end connected to the moving stage; the other end positioned under the cooling body; a first flange provided at the other end; and a second flange provided between the first flange and the cooling body, extended between the one end and the other end; a driving plate, provided between the first flange and the second flange, having a top surface facing the second flange and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface; an elastic body provided between the bottom surface of the driving plate and the first flange; and a driving unit configured to move the driving plate up and down.

Abstract: In a plasma processing apparatus, insulating members are horizontally and separately arranged above a mounting unit in a processing chamber. Each insulating member serves as a partition between a vacuum atmosphere in the processing chamber and an external atmosphere of the processing chamber. Antennas are provided on the respective insulating members to generate an inductively coupled plasma. A first processing gas is supplied into the processing chamber and adsorbed onto a substrate on the mounting unit. A second processing gas is turned into a plasma by power supplied from the antennas and is supplied to activate the first processing gas adsorbed onto the substrate or react with the first processing gas adsorbed onto the substrate. The supply of the first processing gas and the supply of the second processing gas are alternately repeated multiple times with a process of evacuating an inside of the processing chamber interposed therebetween.

Abstract: There is provided a substrate processing method which includes: treating a substrate using a fluorine-containing gas; and exposing the substrate to a moisture-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus having a focus ring, enables the efficiency of cooling of the focus ring to be greatly improved, while preventing an increase in cost thereof. The plasma processing apparatus is comprised of a susceptor which has an electrostatic chuck and the focus ring. A wafer W to be subjected to plasma processing is mounted on the electrostatic chuck. The focus ring has a dielectric material portion and a conductive material portion. The dielectric material portion forms a contact portion disposed in contact with the electrostatic chuck. The conductive material portion faces the electrostatic chuck with the dielectric material portion therebetween.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to obtain a favorable etching shape in etching an organic film formed on a substrate. A semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: etching with plasma a silicon-containing film and transferring a pattern of a pattern mask stacked on the silicon-containing film onto the silicon-containing film to form a patterned silicon-containing film; removing the pattern mask using plasma to expose the surface of the silicon-containing film; and etching the surface of the organic film through the patterned silicon-containing film by use of oxygen active species in plasma to form a concave portion on the organic film. Thereafter, the silicon-containing film is sputtered to form silicon-containing protection films on the inner wall surfaces of the concave portion. The concave portion is further etched in its depth direction through the patterned silicon-containing film by use of oxygen active species in plasma.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus having a focus ring, enables the efficiency of cooling of the focus ring to be greatly improved, while preventing an increase in cost thereof. The plasma processing apparatus is comprised of a susceptor which has an electrostatic chuck and the focus ring. A wafer W to be subjected to plasma processing is mounted on the electrostatic chuck. The focus ring has a dielectric material portion and a conductive material portion. The dielectric material portion forms a contact portion disposed in contact with the electrostatic chuck. The conductive material portion faces the electrostatic chuck with the dielectric material portion therebetween.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to obtain a favorable etching shape in etching an organic film formed on a substrate. A semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: etching with plasma a silicon-containing film and transferring a pattern of a pattern mask stacked on the silicon-containing film onto the silicon-containing film to form a patterned silicon-containing film; removing the pattern mask using plasma to expose the surface of the silicon-containing film; and etching the surface of the organic film through the patterned silicon-containing film by use of oxygen active species in plasma to form a concave portion on the organic film. Thereafter, the silicon-containing film is sputtered to form silicon-containing protection films on the inner wall surfaces of the concave portion. The concave portion is further etched in its depth direction through the patterned silicon-containing film by use of oxygen active species in plasma.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus having a focus ring, enables the efficiency of cooling of the focus ring to be greatly improved, while preventing an increase in cost thereof. The plasma processing apparatus is comprised of a susceptor which has an electrostatic chuck and the focus ring. A wafer W to be subjected to plasma processing is mounted on the electrostatic chuck. The focus ring has a dielectric material portion and a conductive material portion. The dielectric material portion forms a contact portion disposed in contact with the electrostatic chuck. The conductive material portion faces the electrostatic chuck with the dielectric material portion therebetween.

Abstract: A rubber composition includes a rubber component and particulates of a crystalline syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene resin dispersed therein. The particulates have an average particle diameter of 1 to 500 .mu.m, and the melting point of the crystalline syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene resin is not less than 110.degree. C. The compounding ratio of the resin is 5 to 60 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the rubber component. The rubber composition is useful for tires, other rubber articles, etc. With respect to tires in particular, a pneumatic tire includes a rubber composition used for a tread, wherein the rubber composition includes a rubber component and particulates of crystalline syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene resin. The matrix portion of the tread rubber other than the above particulates is preferably a foamed rubber.

Abstract: A process for producing a reinforced rubber composition comprising the steps of:dispersing fine fibers of thermoplastic polymer having ##STR1## groups in a continuous phase comprising vulcanizable synthetic rubber, other than butadiene rubber, containing a tackifier incorporated thereinto; andgrafting the vulcanizable synthetic rubber onto the thermoplastic polymer at the interface of the fine fibers through a novolak type phenol resin.This reinforced rubber composition is capable of providing a vulcanizate having an excellent strength and modulus.