Abstract: A method of processing a substrate includes loading the substrate on a substrate holder. The substrate includes a major surface and a feature disposed over the major surface. The feature has a first width along an etch direction. The method includes exposing portions of the major surface and changing the first width of the feature to a second width along the etch direction by etching a first portion of the sidewalls of the feature with a gas cluster ion beam oriented along a beam direction.

Abstract: An etching method includes a preparing step and a removing step. In the preparing step, a substrate is prepared which includes a first film, a second film stacked on the first film, and a hard mask stacked on the second film, such that the second film is etched with the hard mask having a formed pattern as a mask until the first film is exposed. In the removing step, the hard mask is removed using a fluorine-containing gas. Further, the removing step is executed for a time longer than a first time from a start of a supply of the fluorine-containing gas to a start of an etching of the hard mask, and shorter than a second time from the start of the supply of the fluorine-containing gas to a start of an etching of the first film.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate includes loading the substrate on a substrate holder. The substrate includes a major surface and a feature disposed over the major surface. The feature has a first width along an etch direction. The method includes exposing portions of the major surface and changing the first width of the feature to a second width along the etch direction by etching a first portion of the sidewalls of the feature with a gas cluster ion beam oriented along a beam direction.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate includes loading the substrate on a substrate holder. The substrate includes a major surface and a feature disposed over the major surface. The feature has a first width along an etch direction. The method includes exposing portions of the major surface and changing the first width of the feature to a second width along the etch direction by etching a first portion of the sidewalls of the feature with a gas cluster ion beam oriented along a beam direction.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate includes loading the substrate on a substrate holder. The substrate includes a major surface and a feature disposed over the major surface. The feature has a first width along an etch direction. The method includes exposing portions of the major surface and changing the first width of the feature to a second width along the etch direction by etching a first portion of the sidewalls of the feature with a gas cluster ion beam oriented along a beam direction.

Abstract: A method of processing a wafer includes preparing a wafer having a substrate and a silicon-containing film formed on the substrate; forming a hard mask on the silicon-containing film; forming a pattern on the hard mask by etching the hard mask; and etching the silicon-containing film using the hard mask on which the pattern is formed, wherein the hard mask has a first film formed on the silicon-containing film and containing tungsten, and a second film formed on the first film and containing zirconium or titanium and oxygen.