Abstract: A method of etching an indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) structure is provided. In one aspect, the method includes exposing the IGZO structure to a reactant flow including a hydrocarbon-based reactant. Thereby, a reactant layer is formed on the IGZO structure. The method also includes exposing the reactant layer formed on the IGZO structure to an argon flow. Thereby, one or more reactant molecules are removed from the reactant layer. The one or more reactant molecules, which are removed from the reactant layer formed on the IGZO structure, are removed together with one or more IGZO molecules, thus leading to an etching of the IGZO structure.

Abstract: The method of dry-etching silicon oxide of the present disclosure includes reacting silicon oxide with any one of the following (A) to (C): (A) a gaseous hydrogen fluoride and a gaseous organic amine compound, (B) a gaseous hydrogen fluoride salt of an organic amine compound, and (C) a gaseous hydrogen fluoride, a gaseous organic amine compound, and a gaseous hydrogen fluoride salt of an organic amine compound in a non-plasma state.

Abstract: An etching method includes forming a film on a surface of a substrate having a region to be etched and a mask. The mask is provided on the region and includes an opening that partially exposes the region. The film is made of the same material as that of the region. The etching method further includes etching the region.

Abstract: Semiconductor processing apparatuses and methods are provided in which a pre-clean chamber receives a semiconductor wafer from a metal gate layer deposition chamber and at least partially removes an oxide layer on a metal gate layer. In some embodiments, a semiconductor processing apparatus includes a plurality of metal gate layer deposition chambers. Each of the metal gate layer deposition chambers is configured to form a metal gate layer on a semiconductor wafer. At least one pre-clean chamber of the apparatus is configured to receive the semiconductor wafer from one of the metal gate layer deposition chamber and at least partially remove an oxide layer on the metal gate layer.

Abstract: A fabricating method of reducing photoresist footing includes providing a silicon nitride layer. Later, a fluorination process is performed to graft fluoride ions onto a top surface of the silicon nitride layer. After the fluorination process, a photoresist is formed to contact the top surface of the silicon nitride layer. Finally, the photoresist is patterned to remove at least part of the photoresist contacting the silicon nitride layer.

Abstract: The etching method includes a modification process and a removal process. In the modification process, a fluorine containing gas is supplied to an object having a silicon oxide film, so that a modification layer is formed on the surface of the silicon oxide film. In the removal process, the object, on which the modification layer has been formed, is exposed to plasma of a gas that contains ammonia, so that the modification layer is removed from the object. In addition, the modification process and the removal process are alternately repeated a plurality of times.

Abstract: A method of depositing a silicon film on a recess formed in a surface of a substrate is provided. The substrate is placed on a rotary table in a vacuum vessel, so as to pass through first, second, and third processing regions in the vacuum vessel. An interior of the vacuum vessel is set to a first temperature capable of breaking an Si—H bond. In the first processing region, Si2H6 gas having a temperature less than the first temperature is supplied to form an SiH3 molecular layer on its surface. In the second processing region, a silicon atomic layer is exposed on the surface of the substrate, by breaking the Si—H bond in the SiH3 molecular layer. In the third processing region, by anisotropic etching, the silicon atomic layer on an upper portion of an inner wall of the recess is selectively removed.

Abstract: A film deposition method uses a film deposition apparatus including a source gas supply part and a cleaning gas supply part. In the method, a source gas is adsorbed on a substrate by supplying the source gas from the source gas supply part without supplying a purge gas into the cleaning gas supply part. A reaction product is deposited on the substrate by supplying a reaction gas reactable with the source gas to the substrate on which the source gas is adsorbed without supplying the purge gas into the cleaning gas supply part.

Abstract: A method for forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure using two individual STI trench etching processes is provided. A first STI etching process forms first trenches with one or more sizes in rows along a first dimension in a silicon substrate. A first dielectric is filled in the first trenches following a first thermal oxidation forming a first liner oxide surrounding the first trenches. A second STI trench etching process forms second trenches with one or more sizes in a second dimension to define active regions separated from each other by the first trenches filled with the first dielectric material and second trenches. A second dielectric is filled in the second trenches following a second thermal oxidation forming a second liner oxide surrounding the second trenches. Active region encroachment caused by the first and second thermal oxidation is reduced by doing the two individual STI trench etching processes.

Abstract: A method for performing DBO measurements utilizing apertures having a single pole includes using a first aperture plate to measure X-axis diffraction of a composite grating. In some embodiments, the first aperture plate has a first pair of radiation-transmitting regions disposed along a first diametrical axis and on opposite sides of an optical axis that is aligned with a center of the first aperture plate. Thereafter, in some embodiments, a second aperture plate, which is complementary to the first aperture plate, is used to measure Y-axis diffraction of the composite grating. By way of example, the second aperture plate has a second pair of radiation-transmitting regions disposed along a second diametrical axis and on opposite sides of the optical axis. In some cases, the second diametrical axis is substantially perpendicular to the first diametrical axis.

Abstract: A method for etching features in a stack below a patterned mask in an etch chamber is provided. The stack is cooled with a coolant with a coolant temperature below ?20° C. An etch gas is flowed into the etch chamber. A plasma is generated from the etch gas. Features are selectively etched into the stack with respect to the patterned mask.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor arrangement is provided. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer and forming a first semiconductive layer over the first dielectric layer. The first semiconductive layer is patterned to form a patterned first semiconductive layer. The first dielectric layer is patterned using the patterned first semiconductive layer to form a patterned first dielectric layer. A second semiconductive layer is formed over the patterned first dielectric layer and the patterned first semiconductive layer.

Abstract: Provided are a method of selectively etching a film primarily containing Si, such as polycrystalline silicon (Poly-Si), single crystal silicon (single crystal Si), or amorphous silicon (a-Si) as well as a method for cleaning by removing a Si-based deposited and/or attached matter inside a sample chamber of a film forming apparatus, such as a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) apparatus, without damaging the apparatus interior. By simultaneously introducing a monofluoro interhalogen gas (XF, where X is any of Cl, Br, and I) and nitric oxide (NO) into an etching or a film forming apparatus, followed by thermal excitation, it is possible to selectively and rapidly etch a Si-based film, such as Poly-Si, single crystal Si, or a-Si, while decreasing the etching rate of SiN and/or SiO2. It is also possible to perform cleaning by removing a Si-based deposited and/or attached matter inside a film forming apparatus, such as a CVD apparatus, without damaging the apparatus interior.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the unexpected discovery of novel methods of preparing nanodevices and/or microdevices with predetermined patterns. In one aspect, the methods of the invention allow for engineering structures and films with continuous thickness equal to or less than 50 nm.

Abstract: A method for processing a substrate includes performing a cyclic plasma etch process including a plurality of cycles, where each cycle of the plurality of cycles includes: causing chemical reactions with the surface of the substrate by exposing a surface of the substrate to fluorine radicals extracted from a first gas discharge plasma formed using a first gaseous mixture including a non-polymerizing fluorine compound; cooling the substrate and concurrently removing residual gaseous byproducts by flowing a second gaseous mixture over the substrate, and at the same time, suppressing the chemical reactions with the surface of the substrate; and performing a plasma surface modification process by exposing the surface of the substrate to hydrogen radicals extracted from a second gas discharge plasma formed using a third gaseous mixture including gases including nitrogen and hydrogen.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture are described herein. A method includes forming an opening through an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer to expose a contact etch stop layer (CESL) disposed over a conductive feature in a metallization layer. The opening is formed using photo sensitive materials, lithographic techniques, and a dry etch process that stops on the CESL. Once the CESL is exposed, a CESL breakthrough process is performed to extend the opening through the CESL and expose the conductive feature. The CESL breakthrough process is a flexible process with a high selectivity of the CESL to ILD layer. Once the CESL breakthrough process has been performed, a conductive fill material may be deposited to fill or overfill the opening and is then planarized with the ILD layer to form a contact plug over the conductive feature in an intermediate step of forming a semiconductor device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an atomic layer etching method for etching a surface of a substrate by using an atomic layer etching apparatus.

Abstract: Exemplary methods of etching gallium oxide from a semiconductor substrate may include selectively etching gallium oxide relative to gallium nitride. The method may include flowing a reagent in a substrate processing region housing the semiconductor substrate. The reagent may include at least one of chloride and bromide. The method may further include contacting an exposed region of gallium oxide with the at least one of chloride and bromide from the reagent to form a gallium-containing gas. The gallium-containing gas may be removed by purging the substrate processing region with an inert gas. The method includes recessing a surface of the gallium oxide. The method may include repeated cycles to achieve a desired depth.

Abstract: A film-forming device that includes a cylindrical chamber capable of maintaining vacuum therein, a workpiece holder that is constructed to align and hold workpieces to be processed in multiple stages such that main surfaces of the workpieces are oriented in a vertical direction relative to a central axis of the chamber, a deposition material supply pipe, a modifier supply pipe, a carrier gas supply pipe, and an exhaust mechanism, wherein in a cross section of the chamber in a direction parallel to the main surfaces of the workpieces, the exhaust mechanism is located on a side opposite to an opening direction of gas outlets of the deposition, modifier, and carrier gas supply pipes, and a total gas flow from the deposition, modifier, and carrier gas supply pipes is symmetric about a centerline of the chamber.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes etching a film using etching gas that has a first or second molecule which has a C3F4 group and in which the number of carbon atoms is four or five. Further, the first molecule has an R1 group that bonds to a carbon atom in the C3F4 group through a double bond, and the R1 group contains carbon and also chlorine, bromine, iodine, or oxygen. Further, the second molecule has an R2 group that bonds to a carbon atom in the C3F4 group through a single bond and an R3 group that bonds to the carbon atom in the C3F4 group through a single bond, the R2 group or the R3 group or both containing carbon, and both the R2 group and the R3 group containing hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, or oxygen.

Abstract: A method for patterning a layer increases the density of features formed over an initial patterning layer using a series of self-aligned spacers. A layer to be etched is provided, then an initial sacrificial patterning layer, for example formed using optical lithography, is formed over the layer to be etched. Depending on the embodiment, the patterning layer may be trimmed, then a series of spacer layers formed and etched. The number of spacer layers and their target dimensions depends on the desired increase in feature density. An in-process semiconductor device and electronic system is also described.

Abstract: A method includes providing a dielectric layer; forming a metal line in the dielectric layer; forming an etch stop layer on the metal line, wherein the etch stop layer includes a metal atom bonded with a hydroxyl group; performing a treatment process to the etch stop layer to displace hydrogen in the hydroxyl group with an element other than hydrogen; partially etching the etch stop layer to expose the metal line; and forming a conductive feature above the etch stop layer and in physical contact with the metal line.

Abstract: A plasma processing system includes processing modules, a transfer device connected to the processing modules, and a control unit for controlling an oxygen partial pressure and a water vapor partial pressure in the transfer device. The control unit controls the oxygen partial pressure and the water vapor partial pressure in the transfer device to 127 Pa or less and 24.1 Pa or less, respectively. The processing modules include a first processing module for performing etching on the target object, a second processing module for performing surface treatment on the target object, and a third processing module for performing a deposition process on the target object. The second processing module performs the surface treatment using hydrogen radicals generated by a high frequency antenna. The high frequency antenna resonates at one half of a wavelength of a signal supplied from a high frequency power supply used in the processing system.

Abstract: A thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer overlapped with the gate electrode, a gate insulating layer between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer, and a source electrode and a drain electrode electrically connected to the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer includes a plurality of holes. The gate insulating layer may include a plurality of recess portions at a surface of the gate insulating layer facing the semiconductor layer. A method of manufacturing the thin film transistor is provided. A thin film transistor array panel and an electronic device may include the thin film transistor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for method for filling a feature with copper. In some embodiments, the methods include: (a) depositing a first cobalt layer via a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process atop a substrate field and atop a sidewall and a bottom surface of a feature disposed in a substrate to form a first cobalt portion atop the substrate field and a second cobalt portion atop the sidewall; (b) depositing copper atop the first cobalt portion atop the substrate field; and (c) flowing the copper disposed atop the first cobalt portion atop the substrate field over the second cobalt portion and into the feature, wherein the first cobalt portion atop the substrate field reduces the mobility of copper compared to the mobility of copper over the second cobalt portion.

Abstract: In a method of forming pattern, a target layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate, and pluralities of first spacers having cylindrical shapes protruding from the target layer are formed. A second spacer layer is formed to cover the first spacers, provide interstitial spaces between the first spacers, and provide second inner spaces within first inner spaces of the first spacers, respectively. The second spacer layer is etched to form first opening portions in which the second inner spaces and the interstitial spaces extend into the target layer.

Abstract: A substrate processing method for reducing a surface roughness of a semiconductor wafer by processing a film structure having at least two types of films beforehand disposed on the substrate, including steps of repeating an adsorption step of supplying activated particles into the processing chamber and allowing the particles to be adsorbed to a surface of a desirable film to be etched in the at least two types of films to allow the particles to combine with a material of the desirable film to form a reaction layer, a removal step of using plasma generated by supplying oxygen into the processing chamber to remove a deposit containing particles adhering to a surface of an undesirable film to be etched in the films, and a desorption step of desorbing and removing the reaction layer on the desirable film to be etched by heating the sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for providing silicon carbide films. A layer of silicon carbide can be provided under process conditions that employ one or more silicon-containing precursors that have one or more silicon-hydrogen bonds and/or silicon-silicon bonds. The silicon-containing precursors may also have one or more silicon-oxygen bonds and/or silicon-carbon bonds. One or more radical species in a substantially low energy state can react with the silicon-containing precursors to form the silicon carbide film. The one or more radical species can be formed in a remote plasma source.

Abstract: A fin field effect transistor device structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate. The structure also includes a gate structure formed across the fin structure. The structure also includes a cap layer formed over the gate structure. The structure also includes a contact structure formed over the gate structure penetrating through the cap layer. The structure also includes an isolation film formed over sidewalls of the contact structure. The isolation film is separated from the gate structure, and a bottom surface of the isolation film is below a top surface of the cap layer.

Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a metal layer on a first dielectric layer. An etch stop layer is disposed over the metal layer and on the dielectric layer directly adjacent to the metal layer. The etch stop layer includes a metal oxide, and is less than 10 nanometers thick. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the etch stop layer. The second dielectric layer is removed from an etched region which extends down to the etch stop layer. The etched region extends at least partially over the metal layer. In one version of the microelectronic device, the etch stop layer may extend over the metal layer in the etched region. In another version, the etch stop layer may be removed in the etched region. The microelectronic device is formed by etching the second dielectric layer using a plasma etch process, stopping on the etch stop layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a capacitor disposed on the substrate, and an interconnection structure. The capacitor is disposed on the substrate within a capacitor region and includes a lower electrode, an upper electrode, a stacked dielectric layer, and an intermediate dielectric layer. The upper electrode is disposed over the lower electrode, and the stacked dielectric layer is disposed between the lower electrode and the upper electrode. The intermediate dielectric layer is disposed between the lower electrode and the upper electrode and disposed only within the capacitor region. The relative permittivity of the intermediate dielectric layer is greater than the relative permittivity of the stacked dielectric layer. The interconnection structure including a plug and a stack of metal layers is disposed within an interconnection region abutting the capacitor region and is disposed at at least one side of the intermediate dielectric layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor comprising an enhanced interfacial layer to reduce breakdown failure. In some embodiments, a bottom electrode layer is deposited over a substrate. A native oxide layer is formed on a top surface of the bottom electrode layer and has a first adhesion strength with the top surface. A plasma treatment process is performed to replace the native oxide layer with an interfacial layer. The interfacial layer is conductive and has a second adhesion strength with the top surface of the bottom electrode layer, and the second adhesion strength is greater than the first adhesion strength. An insulator layer is deposited on the interfacial layer. A top electrode layer is deposited on the insulator layer. The top and bottom electrode layers, the insulator layer, and the interfacial layer are patterned to form a MIM capacitor.

Abstract: Exemplary methods of semiconductor processing may include depositing a material on a substrate seated on a substrate support housed in a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The processing region may be at least partially defined by the substrate support and a faceplate. The substrate support may be at a first position within the processing region relative to the faceplate. The methods may include translating the substrate support to a second position relative to the faceplate. The methods may include forming a plasma of an etchant precursor within the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include etching an edge region of the substrate.

Abstract: A cleaning liquid usable for cleaning a substrate provided with a metal resist, the cleaning liquid including a solvent, an organic acid, and a compound (A) represented by general formula (a-1) shown below (in the formula, Ra1 and Ra2 each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms).

Abstract: An etching method which includes treating a workpiece having a stacked film (5) of a silicon oxide layer (2) and a silicon nitride layer (3) with an etching gas containing an unsaturated halon represented by the chemical formula: C2HxF(3?x)Br (in the chemical formula, x stands for 0, 1, or 2) so as to control the respective etch rates of the silicon nitride layer and the silicon oxide layer to the same level and form a high-aspect-ratio hole having a desirable profile at a high etch rate. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor which includes by carrying out the etching method.

Abstract: A substrate is disposed on a substrate holder within a process module. The substrate includes a mask material overlying a target material with at least one portion of the target material exposed through an opening in the mask material. A plasma is generated in exposure to the substrate. For a first duration, a bias voltage is applied at the substrate holder at a first bias voltage setting corresponding to a high bias voltage level. For a second duration, after completion of the first duration, a bias voltage is applied at the substrate holder at a second bias voltage setting corresponding to a low bias voltage level. The second bias voltage setting is greater than 0 V. The first and second durations are repeated in an alternating and successive manner for an overall period of time necessary to remove a required amount of the target material exposed on the substrate.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a first redistribution structure including a first dielectric layer; a die adhered to a first side of the first redistribution structure; an encapsulant laterally encapsulating the die, the encapsulant being bonded to the first dielectric layer with first covalent bonds; a through via extending through the encapsulant; and first conductive connectors electrically connected to a second side of the first redistribution structure, a subset of the first conductive connectors overlapping an interface of the encapsulant and the die.

Abstract: Etch uniformity is improved by providing a thermal pad between an insert ring and electrostatic chuck in an etching chamber. The thermal pad provides a continuous passive heat path to dissipate heat from the insert ring and wafer edge to the electrostatic chuck. The thermal pad helps to keep the temperature of the various components in contact with or near the wafer at a more consistent temperature. Because temperature may affect etch rate, such as with etching hard masks over dummy gate formations, a more consistent etch rate is attained. The thermal pad also provides for etch rate uniformity across the whole wafer and not just at the edge. The thermal pad may be used in an etch process to perform gate replacement by removing hard mask layer(s) over a dummy gate electrode.

Abstract: An etching composition is provided. The etching composition includes phosphoric acid, phosphoric anhydride, a silane compound represented by Formula 1 below and water: wherein R1 to R6 are independently hydrogen, halogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 hydrocarbyl group, a C1-C20 alkoxy group, a carboxy group, a carbonyl group, a nitro group, a tri(C1-C20-alkyl)silyl group, a phosphoryl group, or a cyano group. L is a direct bond or C1 to C3 hydrocarbylene, and A is an n-valent radical, while n is an integer of 1 to 4.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device that includes forming a mask stack over a semiconductor structure. The mask stack has a first mask layer and a second mask layer, where the second mask layer is arranged between the first mask layer and the semiconductor structure. The method further includes patterning a first pattern in the mask stack. The first pattern includes a first opening having first sidewalls formed in the first mask layer, a second opening having second sidewalls formed in the second mask layer, and a third opening having third sidewalls formed in the semiconductor structure. The first, second, and third sidewalls of the respective openings of the first pattern are formed around a central axis, where the second sidewalls of the second opening are located further away from the central axis than both the first and third sidewalls of the first and third openings, respectively.

Abstract: There is provided an etching method which includes: supplying an etching gas to a workpiece including a first SiGe-based material and a second SiGe-based material having different Ge concentrations; and selectively etching the first SiGe-based material and the second SiGe-based material with respect to the other using a difference in incubation time until the first SiGe-based material and the second SiGe-based material begin to be etched by the etching gas.

Abstract: Provided herein may be a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. The method may include forming a second preliminary stack on a first preliminary stack; forming a first hard mask layer on the second preliminary stack; etching the first hard mask layer and forming holes through which the second preliminary stack is exposed; forming a second hard mask layer on the first hard mask layer to fill the holes; forming a linear trench by etching the second hard mask layer; forming a waved select line separation mask pattern by etching the exposed first hard mask layer; forming a select line separation trench by etching the exposed second preliminary stack using the select line separation mask pattern as an etching mask; and forming a select line separation layer by filling the select line separation trench with a non-conductor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer located on the substrate; at least one shallow trench and at least one deep trench. Each of the at least one shallow trench and the at least one deep trench extending from a first major surface of the semiconductor layer. Sidewall regions and base regions of the trenches comprise a doped trench region and the trenches are at least partially filled with a conductive material contacting the doped region. The shallow trenches terminate in the semiconductor layer and the deep trench terminates in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A surface treatment method for a substrate surface; a surface treatment agent used for the surface treatment method; and a method for forming a film on a substrate in a region-selective manner. The method includes exposing the surface to a surface treatment agent including a silylation agent and a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound, the surface including two or more regions, adjacent regions in the two or more regions having different materials, and a reaction between the silylation agent and the two or more regions causing contact angles of water to differ from each other with respect to adjacent regions in the two or more regions.

Abstract: A substrate is disposed on a substrate holder within a process module. The substrate includes a mask material overlying a target material with at least one portion of the target material exposed through an opening in the mask material. A plasma is generated in exposure to the substrate. For a first duration, a bias voltage is applied at the substrate holder at a first bias voltage setting corresponding to a high bias voltage level. For a second duration, after completion of the first duration, a bias voltage is applied at the substrate holder at a second bias voltage setting corresponding to a low bias voltage level. The second bias voltage setting is greater than 0 V. The first and second durations are repeated in an alternating and successive manner for an overall period of time necessary to remove a required amount of the target material exposed on the substrate.

Abstract: The present application discloses a semiconductor device structure and a method for preparing the same. The method includes forming a ring structure over a substrate; performing an etching process to form an annular semiconductor fin under the ring structure; forming a lower source/drain region on the surface of the substrate in contact with a bottom portion of the annular semiconductor fin; forming an inner gate structure in contact with an inner sidewall of the annular semiconductor fin and forming an outer gate structure in contact with an outer sidewall of the annular semiconductor fin; and forming an upper source/drain region on an upper portion of the annular semiconductor fin.

Abstract: A chamber is formed to enclose a processing region. A passageway is configured to provide for entry of a substrate into the processing region and removal of the substrate from the processing region. A substrate support structure is disposed within the processing region and configured to support the substrate within the processing region. At least one gas input is configured to supply one or more gases to the processing region. At least one gas output is configured to exhaust gases from the processing region. A humidity control device is configured to control a relative humidity within the processing region. At least one heating device is disposed to provide temperature control of the substrate within the processing region. The processing region of the chamber is directly accessible from a substrate handling module configured to operate at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Facilitating live fingerprint detection utilizing an integrated ultrasound and infrared (IR) sensor is presented herein. A fingerprint sensor can comprise a first substrate comprising the IR sensor, and a second substrate comprising an ultrasonic transducer. The second substrate is attached to a top portion of the first substrate, and a temperature output of the IR sensor facilitates a determination that a fingerprint output of the ultrasonic transducer corresponds to a finger. The IR sensor can comprise polysilicon comprising a thermopile and an array of photonic crystals thermally coupled to the thermopile.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a conductive line. The method includes steps of providing a substrate; forming a metal layer on the substrate; patterning the metal layer by etching a portion of the metal layer; and performing a post-treatment process on the patterned metal layer in a chamber by injecting a CxHyFz gas and water vapor into the chamber, such that the patterned metal layer avoids from being corroded after the post-treatment process is performed.

Abstract: Embodiments provide isotropic and selective etching of silicon nitride layers for the manufacture of microelectronic workpieces through sequential exposure of silicon nitride layers to plasma including hydrogen radicals and plasma including fluorine radicals. For example, the sequential application of plasma etch steps can use: (1) a first plasma gas including hydrogen (H2) and argon (Ar), and (2) a second plasma gas including nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), oxygen (O2), and Ar. These plasma gases are ignited within a processing region or chamber under sufficient pressure to generate the hydrogen radicals and the fluorine radicals. Other plasma gas chemistries can also be used under sufficient pressures to generate alternating application of hydrogen radicals and fluorine radicals.