Abstract: Provided is a method of processing a sample by generating plasma by an electromagnetic wave, wherein a material containing carbon, such as silicon carbide (Sic), is disposed in a vacuum container serving as a discharge region. The inside of an etching chamber is cleaned by O.sub.2 cleaning treatment by using a sheet type dry etching apparatus, and after an inner wall temperature of the etching chamber is set and controlled, a sample is conveyed into the etching chamber, and a TiN cap layer, an Al--Cu alloy layer and a TiN barrier layer are plasma-etched in order by using BCl.sub.3 /Cl.sub.2 /CH.sub.4 /Ar gases with the pattern of a resist film as a mask.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus and method controls the temperature of those portions in the processing chamber to which reaction products or gaseous reaction products generated during plasma processing adhere, thereby minimizing the generation of foreign matter and ensuring high yields. A plasma processing gas is supplied to the plasma generation chamber 10 whose pressure is maintained at a predetermined value. Provided in the plasma generation chamber are a specimen mount 11 on which to mount an object to be processed and an evacuation mechanism 16 that evacuates the plasma generation chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of dry-etching a sample (e.g., a wafer) having an aluminum system film structure to be etched. Etching is performed in a plasma, under reduced pressure, the plasma being formed from a gas mixture containing a halogen system gas (e.g., Cl.sub.2, HBr, BCl.sub.3, etc.) and a ROH gas (e.g., CH.sub.3 OH, C.sub.3 H.sub.5 OH, C.sub.5 H.sub.7 OH, CH.sub.3 COOH, HOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH, etc.). By incorporating the ROH gas with the halogen system gas, in etching, e.g., an aluminum system film structure, etching can be performed with an accurate shape corresponding to a mask pattern, irrespective of the pattern density. Moreover, the aluminum system film structure can be etched at a uniform speed irrespective of the pattern density; and a selection ratio for etching the aluminum system film structure, as compared with etching material (e.g., organic resist) of the mask, is improved.