Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming spaced conductive regions. A construction is formed which includes a first electrically conductive material over a semiconductor substrate. The construction also includes openings extending through the first electrically conductive material and into the semiconductor substrate. A second electrically conductive material is formed within the openings and over the first electrically conductive material and is in electrical contact with the first electrically conductive material. The second electrically conductive material is subjected to anodic dissolution while the first electrically conductive material is electrically connected to a power source.

Abstract: An integrated circuit memory device is formed by forming an interlevel insulating layer on a substrate. A plurality of storage node contact holes are formed in the interlayer insulating layer and are arranged in a pattern. A plurality of contact plugs are formed in the plurality of storage node contact holes, respectively. A material layer is formed on the interlevel insulating layer that has a plurality of landing pad holes that expose the plurality of contact plugs, respectively, the plurality of landing pad holes are arranged in a pattern that is offset with respect to the pattern of the storage node contact holes. A plurality of landing pads are formed in the plurality of landing pad holes and are connected to the plurality of contact plugs, respectively. A plurality of storage nodes are formed that are connected to the plurality of landing pads, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fabricating a capacitor in a semiconductor device; and, more particularly, to a method for fabricating a capacitor capable of stably forming a nitride layer on a lower electrode and obtaining improvements on stable capacitance and leakage current characteristics. The inventive method for fabricating a capacitor includes the steps of: forming a lower electrode on a substrate; forming a nitride-based first dielectric thin layer on the lower electrode; forming a second dielectric thin layer by depositing an Al2O3 layer on the nitride-based first dielectric thin layer; forming a third dielectric thin layer on the second dielectric thin layer; and forming an upper electrode on the third dielectric thin layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is fabricated by forming a series of alternating first and second elongated regions on a substrate, and etching elongated trenches that are nonparallel to and extend across the first and second elongated regions. Material is placed in the elongated trenches. Portions of the first and/or second elongated regions are removed between adjacent ones of the elongated trenches that contain material therein, to define contact holes. Conductive material is placed in at least some of the portions of the first and/or second elongated regions that are selectively removed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a memory device includes forming an oxide layer adjacent a substrate. A floating gate layer is formed and disposed outwardly from the oxide layer. A dielectric layer is formed, such that it is disposed outwardly from the floating gate layer. Then, a conductive material layer is formed and disposed outwardly from the dielectric layer, wherein the conductive material layer forms a control gate that is substantially isolated from the floating gate layer by the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing an array structure in integrated circuits (IC). The method for manufacturing an array structure in integrated circuits of the present invention is performed by using two masks. First, a first mask having array pattern of holes is used to perform a first exposing step with a partial dose, and a second mask having code patterns is used to perform a second exposing step with a compensating dose for the first exposing step, so that a photoresist covering the regions of the holes desired to be opened obtains a sufficient exposure dose and the holes desired are formed by developing. Therefore, a preferred resolution and a preferred depth of focus (DOF) for exposure are obtained, thereby reducing optical proximity effect (OPE), and it is quite easily to manufacture the masks used in the present invention.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a semiconductor storage device with a floating gate includes a first step for depositing a first thermally-oxidized film (14) on a polysilicon film (12) that has been etched to a desired depth so as to have a tapered etched end by using a silicon nitride film (13) having an opening as a mask, a step for depositing a first NSG film side wall spacer (115) that covers the tapered portion on an opening side wall of the silicon nitride film (13) and adding heat treatment thereto, a step for forming a second NSG film side wall spacer (15) on the inner side of the first NSG film side wall spacer 115, a step for forming a poly-silicon plug (18), then depositing a second thermally-oxidized film (19) on the poly-silicon plug (18), a step for removing the silicon nitride film (13), then etching the poly-silicon film (12), and a step for removing the first NSG film side wall spacer (115).

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a MONOS type non-volatile memory device. The method comprises the following steps: a step of pattering a stopper layer, a first silicon oxide layer and a first conductive layer; a step of forming an ONO film; a step of forming a second conductive layer above the ONO film; a step of anisotropically etching the second conductive layer to form control gates on both side surfaces of the first conductive layer through the ONO film, a step of forming a second silicon oxide layer over the entire surface; a step of polishing the second silicon oxide layer in a manner to expose the stopper layer; a step of removing the stopper layer by dry etching; a step of removing the first silicon oxide layer; and a step of patterning the first conductive layer to form a word gate.

Abstract: Reliability of a semiconductor device having a nonvolatile memory comprising first through third gate electrodes is enhanced. With a flash memory having first gate electrodes (floating gate electrodes), second gate electrodes (control gate electrodes) and third gate electrodes, isolation parts are formed in a self-aligned manner against patterns of a conductor film for forming the third gate electrodes by filling up the respective isolation grooves and a gate insulator film for select nMISes in a peripheral circuit region is formed prior to the formation of the isolation parts. By so doing, deficiency with the gate insulator film for the select nMISes, caused by stress occurring to the isolation parts, can be reduced. Further, with the semiconductor device including the case of stacked memory cells, the patterns of the conductor film for forming the third gate electrodes, serving as a mask for forming the isolation parts in the self-aligned manner, can be formed without misalignment against channels.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a floating gate with multiple tips. A semiconductor substrate is provided, on which an insulating layer and a patterned hard mask layer are sequentially formed. The patterned hard mask layer has an opening to expose the surface of the semiconductor substrate. A conducting layer is conformally formed on the patterned hard mask layer, and the opening is filled with the conducting layer. The conducting layer is planarized to expose the surface of the patterned hard mask layer. The conducting layer is thermally oxidized to form an oxide layer, and the patterned hard mask layer is removed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a y-direction, self-alignment mask ROM device is described. The method includes forming a buried drain region in a substrate and forming a gate oxide layer on the substrate. Perpendicular to the direction of the buried drain region, a bar-shaped silicon nitride layer is formed on the gate oxide layer. A photoresist layer is then formed on the gate oxide layer and the bar-shaped silicon nitride layer. Performing a code implantation to form a plurality of coded memory cells using the photoresist layer as a mask. The photoresist layer is then removed. A polysilicon layer is further formed on the gate oxide layer and the bar-shaped silicon nitride layer. The polysilicon layer is back-etched until the bar-shaped silicon nitride layer is exposed. The silicon nitride layer is subsequently removed.

Abstract: Thermal oxidation of a peripheral area of a semiconductor substrate is globally restricted with an overlying oxidation resistant layer that is not globally received within the array during formation of a sacrificial oxide layer prior to forming any transistor gate dielectric layer within the array. At least some FLASH field effect transistor gates having floating gate dielectric of a first thickness are formed within the array and at least some non-FLASH field effect transistor gates having gate dielectric of a second thickness are formed within the periphery, with the first and second thicknesses being different. Other aspects and implementations are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming an oxide layer on a vertical, non-planar semiconductor surface provides a low stress oxide layer having a pristine interface characterized by a roughness of less than 3 angstroms. The oxide layer includes a portion that is substantially amorphous and notably dense. The oxide layer is a graded growth oxide layer including a composite of a first oxide portion formed at a relatively low temperature below the viscoelastic temperature of the oxide film and a second oxide portion formed at a relatively high temperature above the viscoelastic temperature of the oxide film. The process for forming the oxide layer includes thermally oxidizing at a first temperature below the viscoelastic temperature of the film, and slowly ramping up the temperature to a second temperature above the viscoelastic temperature of the film and heating at the second temperature.

Abstract: A trench MOSFET is formed by creating a trench in a semiconductor substrate, then forming a barrier layer over a portion of the side wall of the trench. A thick insulating layer is deposited in the bottom of the trench. The barrier layer is selected such that the thick insulating layer deposits in the bottom of the trench at a faster rate than the thick insulating layer deposits on the barrier layer. Embodiments of the present invention avoid stress and reliability problems associated with thermal growth of insulating layers, and avoid problems with control of the shape and thickness of the thick insulating layer encountered when a thick insulating layer is deposited, then etched to the proper shape and thickness.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a trench MOSFET is formed by creating a trench in a semiconductor substrate. A portion of either a side wall of the trench or the bottom of the trench is implanted with an implant species. An insulating layer is then grown overlying the bottom and side wall of the trench. The implant species is selected such that the insulating layer grows more quickly on the bottom of the trench than on the side wall of the trench, resulting in a thicker insulating layer in the bottom of the trench than on the trench side walls.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a high breakdown voltage transistor and a low breakdown voltage transistor with different driving voltages in a common substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to depositing multicomponent films with a cyclical sequential deposition (CSD) process. The CSD process deposits a film of a material on a surface by repeating a cycle of process steps comprising sequentially exposing the surface to at least two reactants. The reactants contain precursors that supply the elements that form the multicomponent material. The reactant components that are not precursors may react with the at least one precursor to form a film of the material, or may react with the surface onto which the film of material is to be deposited to prepare the surface for deposition. Each CSD cycle produces a discrete layer of a multicomponent material. The CSD cycle is repeated, depositing one layer each cycle, until the film of multicomponent material reaches the desired thickness.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device comprising forming a silicon oxide film as thin as 5 nm or less on the surfaces of p type wells and n type wells by wet oxidizing a substrate, heating the substrate in an atmosphere containing about 5% of an NO gas to introduce nitrogen into the silicon oxide film so as to form a silicon oxynitride film, exposing the substrate to a nitrogen plasma atmosphere to further introduce nitrogen into the silicon oxynitride film in order to form a silicon oxynitride gate insulating film having a first peak concentration near the interface with the substrate and a second peak concentration near the surface thereof. Thereby, the concentration of nitrogen in the gate insulating film is increased without raising the concentration of nitrogen near the interface between the substrate and the gate insulating film to a higher level than required.

Abstract: A method of forming an array of FLASH field effect transistors and circuitry peripheral to such array includes forming a sacrificial oxide over an array area and a periphery area of a semiconductor substrate. After forming the sacrificial oxide, at least one conductivity modifying implant is conducted into semiconductive material of the substrate within the array without conducting the one conductivity modifying implant into semiconductive material of the substrate within the periphery. The sacrificial oxide is removed from the array while the sacrificial oxide is left over the periphery.

Abstract: A dielectric layer (e.g., an interpoly dielectric layer) is deposited over low and high voltage devices of a peripheral memory device. The dielectric behaves as an oxidation and wet oxide etch barrier. The dielectric prevents the devices from being stripped by a wet oxide etch that can result in the exposure of the silicon corners. The exposure of a silicon corner may increase thinning of a gate oxide at the field edge. This causes variability and unreliability in the device. The dielectric is not removed from a device until the device is ready for processing. That is, the dielectric remains on a device until the growing of a gate oxide on that device has begun. This reduces the exposure of the silicon corner. Hedges that result may be removed by exposing a trench in the field oxide at the hedge.

Abstract: In a pretreatment process, a silicon oxide film (13) with nitrogen content is formed on a semiconductor substrate (10). In a segregation process executing heat treatment in an in-oxidiz-able gas atmosphere, a silicon nitride layer (14) segregates out at the interface of the silicon substrate (10) and the silicon oxide film (13). After this, the unnecessary silicon oxide film (13) on the silicon nitride layer (14) is removed, and a silicon oxide layer (15) is formed beneath the exposed silicon nitride layer (14) with oxygen passing through the exposed silicon nitride layer (14). Whereby, a gate electrode (16) is formed on the gate insulating film consisting of the silicon nitride layer (14) and the silicon oxide layer (15).

Abstract: Provided is a method for fabricating a semiconductor device. According to the method, an insolating layer which defines an active region on a semiconductor substrate is formed and a gate is formed on the active region of the semiconductor substrate. A first spacer layer which covers the gate and is extended to cover the isolating layer is formed as a first insulating material. A second spacer layer is formed on the first spacer layer as a second insulating material. A second spacer which remains on the sidewalls of the gate by removing some portions of the second spacer layer is formed. A first spacer by a portion of the first spacer layer, which is protected by the second spacer by partially etching the exposed portions of the first spacer layer using the second spacer as a mask so as to reduce the thickness of the first spacer layer, and a protection layer, which protects the insulating layer by remaining the portion of the first spacer of which thickness is reduced, are formed.

Abstract: A multi-bit memory unit and fabrication method thereof. A semiconductor substrate forming a protruding semiconductor substrate is provided, an ion implantation region is formed on the semiconductor substrate beside the protruding semiconductor substrate, a spacer is formed on a sidewall of the protruding semiconductor substrate, a doped region is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and an ONO layer is conformally formed on the surface of the protruding semiconductor substrate, the spacer, the doped region, and the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: This invention provides a capacitor and a method for manufacturing of the same, which are adaptable to preventing a lower electrode from being oxidized at a following thermal process. The capacitor includes: a lower electrode; an oxidation barrier layer formed on the lower electrode, wherein the oxidation barrier layer is formed of at least double nitridation layers; a dielectric layer formed on the oxidation barrier layer; and an upper electrode formed on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: There are contained the steps of forming sequentially a first conductive film, a dielectric film, and a second conductive film on a first insulating film, forming an upper electrode of a capacitor by patterning the second conductive film, patterning the dielectric film to leave under the upper electrode, forming a lower electrode of the capacitor by patterning the first conductive film, covering the capacitor and the first insulating film with a second insulating film, and annealing at least one of the first insulating film and the second insulating film in an inert-gas atmosphere and then exposing the film to an N2O plasma.

Abstract: One method includes epitaxially growing a layer of group III-nitride semiconductor under growth conditions that cause a growth surface to be rough. The method also includes performing an epitaxial growth of a second layer of group III-nitride semiconductor on the first layer under growth conditions that cause the growth surface to become smooth. The two-step growth produces a lower density of threading defects.

Abstract: Position control of a crystal grain in accordance with an arrangement of a TFT is achieved, and at the same time, a processing speed during a crystallization process is increased. More specifically, there is provided a manufacturing method for a semiconductor device, in which crystal having a large grain size can be continuously formed through super lateral growth that is artificially controlled and substrate processing efficiency during a laser crystallization process can be increased. In the manufacturing method for a semiconductor device, instead of performing laser irradiation on an entire semiconductor film within a substrate surface, a marker as a reference for positioning is formed so as to crystallize at least an indispensable portion at minimum. Thus, a time period required for laser crystallization can be reduced to make it possible to increase a processing speed for a substrate.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of flash lamps forming a light source is a bar lamp having an elongated cylindrical shape. The ratio of the distance between the flash lamps and a semiconductor wafer to the distance between the flash lamps and a reflector is set to not more than 1.8 or at least 2.2. Consequently, illuminance is weakened on portions of the main surface of the semiconductor wafer located immediately under the flash lamps along the vertical direction and strengthened in portions located immediately under the clearances between adjacent ones of the flash lamps along the vertical direction, thereby reducing illuminance irregularity on the overall main surface of the semiconductor wafer and improving in-plane uniformity of temperature distribution on the semiconductor wafer. Thus, a thermal processing apparatus capable of improving in-plane uniformity of temperature distribution on a substrate is provided.

Abstract: A novel nickel self-aligned silicide (SALICIDE) process technology (80) adapted for CMOS devices (54) with physical gate lengths of sub-40 nm. The excess silicidation problem (52) due to edge effect is effectively solved by using a low-temperature, in-situ formed Ni-rich silicide, preferably formed in a temperature range of 260-310° C. With this new process, excess poly gate silicidation is prevented. Island diode leakage current and breakdown voltage are also improved.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an RF enhancement mode FET (30) having improved gate properties is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing (131) a substrate (31) having a stack of semiconductor layers (32-35) formed thereon, the stack including a cap layer (35) and a central layer (33) defining a device channel, forming (103) a photoresist pattern (58) over the cap layer, thereby defining a masked region and an unmasked region, and, in any order, (a) creating (105) an implant region (36, 37) in the unmasked region, and (b) removing (107) the cap layer from the unmasked region. By forming the implant region and cap region with no overlap, a device with low current leakage may be achieved.

Abstract: The invention includes a semiconductor construction. The construction includes a semiconductive material having a surface and an opening extending through the surface. An electrically insulative liner is along a periphery of the opening. A mass comprising one or more of silicon, germanium, metal, metal silicide and dopant is within a bottom portion of the opening, and only partially fills the opening. The mass has a top surface. An electrically insulative material is within the opening and over the top surface of the mass. The top surface of the mass is at least about 200 Angstroms beneath the surface of the semiconductive material. The invention also includes methods of forming semiconductor constructions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a substrate arrangement with the process steps:

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprises, forming an insulator layer on an integrated circuit, forming a barrier layer comprised of a first titanium film and a titanium nitride film on the insulator layer, heat-treating the barrier layer to release nitrogen gas from the titanium nitride film, forming a second titanium film on the barrier layer, and forming an aluminum film used as a wired metal on the second titanium film.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a contact is disclosed. A substrate is provided, and a first dielectric layer and a metal layer are formed thereon in sequence. A second dielectric layer is formed on the metal layer and the first dielectric layer. A bottom contact is formed in the second dielectric layer to electrically connect to the metal layer. A node contact is formed in the first and second dielectric layers. A capacitor is formed on the dielectric layer to electrically connect to the node contact, and a middle contact is formed on the second dielectric layer to electrically connect to the bottom contact. A third dielectric layer is formed on the capacitor, the middle contact and the second dielectric layer. A top contact is formed in the third dielectric layer to electrically connect to the middle contact.

Abstract: A wiring groove is formed in an insulating film, and then a reformed layer is formed in the vicinity of the wiring groove in the insulating film. Thereafter, a conductive film is buried in the wiring groove, thereby forming a wire. Subsequently, the reformed layer is removed to form a slit, and then a low-dielectric-constant film having a relative dielectric constant lower than the insulating film is buried in the slit.

Abstract: A method of fabricating at least one damascene opening comprising the following steps. A structure having at least one exposed conductive structure is provided. A dielectric barrier layer over the structure and the at least one exposed conductive structure. A lower low-k dielectric layer is formed over the dielectric barrier layer. An upper low-k dielectric layer is formed over the lower low-k dielectric layer. An SRO etch stop layer is formed between the lower low-k dielectric layer and the upper low-k dielectric layer and/or an SRO hard mask layer is formed over the upper low-k dielectric layer. At least the upper and lower low-k dielectric layers are patterned to form the at least one damascene opening exposing at least a portion of the at least one conductive structure, wherein the at least one SRO layer has a high etch selectivity relative to the lower and upper low-k dielectric layers.

Abstract: A method for forming silicide contacts includes forming a layer on silicon-containing active device regions such as source, drain, and gate regions. The layer contains a metal that is capable of forming one or more metal suicides and a material that is soluble in a first metal silicide but not soluble in a second metal silicide, or is more soluble in the first metal silicide than in the second metal silicide. The layer may be formed by vapor deposition methods such as physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, evaporation, laser ablation, or other deposition method. A method for forming silicide contacts includes forming a metal layer, then implanting the metal layer and/or underlying silicon layer with a material such as that described above. The material may be implanted in the silicon layer prior to formation of the metal layer. Contacts formed include a first metal silicide and a material that is more soluble in a first metal silicide than in a second metal silicide.

Abstract: The through-holes 2 in the silicon substrate 1 are plugged with the metal 8 by means of electrolytic plating. After both faces of the silicon substrate are polished and smoothed, high pressure annealing is conducted on the silicon substrate so as to remove minute voids generated in the plugged metal and, therefore, the preciseness and density of the plugged metal is enhanced.

Abstract: A sequence of temperature control in electroless plating for microelectronic processing is disclosed in this invention. This sequence improves the uniformity of the deposit, increases the lifetime of the plating bath and is cost effective. The plating bath is heated to a temperature, which is lower than the minimum deposition temperature, in an apparatus outside the plating chamber. Then the solution is introduced into the plating chamber without the occurrence of the deposition. After the chamber is filled, the solution is heated up to the desired deposition temperature. The deposition is initialized. After the deposition, the solution is returned back to the original tank.

Abstract: A method for forming silicide contacts includes forming a layer on silicon-containing active device regions such as source, drain, and gate regions. The layer contains a metal that is capable of forming one or more metal silicides and a material that is soluble in a first metal silicide but not soluble in a second metal silicide, or is more soluble in the first metal silicide than in the second metal silicide. The layer may be formed by vapor deposition methods such as physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, evaporation, laser ablation, or other deposition method. A method for forming silicide contacts includes forming a metal layer, then implanting the metal layer and/or underlying silicon layer with a material such as that described above. The material may be implanted in the silicon layer prior to formation of the metal layer. Contacts formed include a first metal silicide and a material that is more soluble in a first metal silicide than in a second metal silicide.

Abstract: A process for etching high dielectric constant (high-k) films (e.g., ZrzSiyOx, HfzSiyOx, ZrzHfyOx, HfzAlyOx, and ZrzAlyOx) more rapidly than coexisting SiO2, polysilicon, silicon and/or other films is disclosed. The process comprises contacting the films with an aqueous solution comprising a fluoride containing species at a concentration sufficiently dilute to achieve a desired selective etch of the high-k film. The etching solution is preferably used above ambient temperature to further increase the etch selectivity of the high-k films relative to coexisting SiO2 and/or other films. The etch rate of the solution can also be adjusted by controlling the pH of the etching solution, e.g., by the addition of other acids or bases to the solution (for example, HCl or NH4OH).

Abstract: Silicon oxide etching solutions consisting essentially of the product of at least one bifluoride source compound dissolved in a solvent consisting of about 90% to 100% by weight of at least one carboxylic acid and 0 to about 10% by weight water, wherein the total concentration of bifluoride source compound is between about 1.25 and about 5.0 moles per kilogram of solvent. Methods for selectively removing silicon oxides and metal silicates from metal surfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: After forming a gate insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, a silicon film is deposited on the gate insulating film, and a high-melting point metal film is deposited on the silicon film. After forming a hard mask made of a silicon oxide film or a silicon nitride film on the high-melting point metal film, the high-melting point metal film is dry etched by using the hard mask as a mask. After removing a residue or a natural oxide film present on the silicon film through dry etching, the silicon film is dry etched by using the hard mask as a mask. The residue or the natural oxide film is removed while suppressing excessive etching of the silicon film.

Abstract: A method of chemically altering a silicon surface and associated dielectric materials are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for removal of resist structures used in liftoff patterning of submicron features on structure surfaces, wherein the method does not adversely affect the control of structure thickness nor damage the structure surfaces. The technique comprises the use of a liftoff fluid for solvating the resist, wherein the fluid is assisted by chemical mechanical polishing.

Abstract: The nanometer-gate MOSFET device of the present invention comprises a shallow-trench-isolation structure; a pair of second conductive sidewall spacers being formed over each inner sidewall of a gate region and on a portion of a first conductive layer and a first raised field-oxide layers for forming an implant region in a central portion of a channel; a buffer-oxide layer being formed over each sidewall of the gate region for forming lightly-doped source/drain diffusion regions; a first sidewall dielectric spacer being formed over each sidewall of the buffer-oxide layers for forming heavily-doped source/drain diffusion regions; a second sidewall dielectric spacer being formed over each sidewall of the first sidewall dielectric spacers for forming a metal-silicide layer over each of heavily-doped source/drain diffusion regions; and a highly conductive-gate structure being formed in the gate region.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and an etched substrate. In one embodiment, a method for etching a substrate is provided which comprises creating an etch hole in the substrate using a through the substrate etch and forming a junction on an interior of the etched hole for forming a semiconductor device therein.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for manufacturing an electric capacitance type acceleration sensor capable of achieving high productivity in which a semiconductor manufacturing process is used.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low-k dielectric etching process with high etching selectivities with respect to adjacent layers of other materials, such as an overlying photoresist mask and an underlying barrier/liner layer. The process comprises the step of exposing a portion of the low-k dielectric layer to a plasma of a process gas that includes a fluorocarbon gas, a nitrogen-containing gas, and an inert gas, wherein the volumetric flow ratio of inert:fluorocarbon gas is in the range of 20:1 to 100:1, and the volumetric flow ratio of fluorocarbon:nitrogen-containing gas is selected to provide a low-k dielectric to photoresist etching selectivity ratio greater than about 5:1 and a low-k dielectric etch rate higher than about 4000 Å/min.

Abstract: A method for avoiding plasma arcing during a reactive ion etching (RIE) process including providing a semiconductor wafer having a process surface for depositing a dielectric insulating layer; depositing at least a portion of a dielectric insulating layer to form a deposition layer according to plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process; treating the deposition layer portion with a hydrogen plasma treatment to reduce an electrical charge nonuniformity of the deposition layer including applying a biasing power to the semiconductor wafer; and, carrying out a subsequent reactive ion etching process.