Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a method of etching a surface layer portion of a silicon wafer comprising: positioning the silicon wafer within a sealed vessel containing a mixed acid A of hydrofluoric acid and sulfuric acid so that the silicon wafer is not in contact with mixed acid A; introducing a solution B in the form of nitric acid containing nitrogen oxides into the sealed vessel and causing solution B to mix with mixed acid A; and vapor phase decomposing the surface layer portion of the silicon wafer within the sealed vessel within which mixed acid A and solution B have been mixed.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a method of etching a surface layer portion of a silicon wafer comprising: positioning the silicon wafer within a sealed vessel containing a mixed acid A of hydrofluoric acid and sulfuric acid so that the silicon wafer is not in contact with mixed acid A; introducing a solution B in the form of nitric acid containing nitrogen oxides into the sealed vessel and causing solution B to mix with mixed acid A; and vapor phase decomposing the surface layer portion of the silicon wafer within the sealed vessel within which mixed acid A and solution B have been mixed.

Abstract: To expediently and quantitatively estimate Cu within a silicon substrate without fully dissolving the silicon substrate and to ascertain the process contamination, there is provided a method for quantitatively determining the Cu concentration in a Cu containing silicon substrate having obverse and converse surfaces, the silicon substrate contains at least 3×1018 atoms/cm3 of boron and is heated at a temperature of no more than 600° C., the improvement comprises heating the converse surface of the substrate at a temperature between 300° C. to 350° C. for a period of 1 to 12 hours and then quantitatively analyze the Cu concentration at obverse and converse surfaces of the heated substrate.

Abstract: To expediently and quantitatively estimate Cu within a silicon substrate without fully dissolving the silicon substrate and to ascertain the process contamination, there is provided a method for quantitatively determining the Cu concentration in a Cu containing silicon substrate having obverse and converse surfaces, the silicon substrate contains at least 3×1018 atoms/cm3 of boron and is heated at a temperature of no more than 600° C., the improvement comprises heating the converse surface of the substrate at a temperature between 300° C. to 350° C. for a period of 1 to 12 hours and then quantitatively analyze the Cu concentration at obverse and converse surfaces of the heated substrate.