Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for removing sidewall residue after dry-etching process. Conventionally, after dry-etching, photoresist and sidewall residues are removed by ozone ashing and hot sulfuric acid. Normally, they are hard to be removed completely. It was found in the present invention that the addition of fluorine-containing compound, preferably hydrogen fluoride and ammonium fluoride, in sulfuric acid results in complete removal of photoresist and sidewall residue without the need for stripper. The process is simple and does not affect the original procedures or the other films on the substrate. The present invention also relates to a novel solution for removing sidewall residue after dry-etching, which comprises sulfuric acid and a fluorine-containing compound, preferably hydrogen fluoride and ammonium fluoride, in the range of from 10:1 to 1000:1 by weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for removing sidewall residue after dry-etching process. Conventionally, after dry-etching, photoresist and sidewall residues are removed by ozone ashing and hot sulfuric acid. Normally, they are hard to be removed completely. It was found in the present invention that the addition of fluorine-containing compound, preferably hydrogen fluoride and ammonium fluoride, in sulfuric acid results in complete removal of photoresist and sidewall residue without the need for stripper. The process is simple and does not affect the original procedures or the other films on the substrate. The present invention also relates to a novel solution for removing sidewall residue after dry-etching, which comprises sulfuric acid and a fluorine-containing compound, preferably hydrogen fluoride and ammonium fluoride, in the range of from 10:1 to 1000:1 by weight.

Abstract: A solution for cleaning silicon semiconductors or silicon oxides comprising H2O2, NH4OH and at least one component A selected from the group consisting of fluoro-containing compounds and other ammonium salts than NH4OH, wherein the weight ratio of H2O2 to H2O is between 1:5 and 1:50, the weight ratio of NH4OH to H2O is between 1:5 and 1:50, and the molar ratio of component A to NH4OH is between 1:10 and 1:5000 is disclosed. The solution can achieve the efficacy equivalent to that of the conventional RCA two-step cleaning solution within a shorter time by one step and effectively remove contaminants such as organics, dust and metals from the surfaces of silicon semiconductors and silicon oxides without using strong acids such as HCl and H2SO4.