Abstract:
A method of forming spacers from a non-silicon oxide, silicon containing spacer layer with horizontal surfaces and sidewall surfaces over a substrate is provided. A plasma oxidation treatment is provided to form a silicon oxide coating over the spacer layer, wherein the silicon oxide coating provides a horizontal coating on the horizontal surfaces and sidewall coatings on the sidewall surfaces of the spacer layer. An anisotropic main etch that selectively etches horizontal surfaces of the spacer layer and silicon oxide coating with respect to sidewall surfaces of the spacer layer and the sidewall coatings of the silicon oxide coating is provided. The spacer layer is etched, wherein the sidewall coatings of the silicon oxide coating protect sidewall surfaces of the spacer layer.
Abstract:
CONTROLLING ION ENERGY WITHIN A PLASMA Systems and methods controlling ion energy within a plasma chamber are described. One of the systems includes an upper electrode coupled to a sinusoidal RF generator for receiving a sinusoidal signal and a nonsinusoidal RF generator for generating a nonsinusoidal signal. The system further includes a power amplifier coupled to the nonsinusoidal RF generator. The power amplifier is used for amplifying the nonsinusoidal signal to generate an amplified signal. The system includes a filter coupled to the power amplifier. The filter is used for filtering the amplified signal using a filtering signal to generate a filtered signal. The system includes a chuck coupled to the filter. The chuck faces at least a portion of the upper electrode and includes a lower electrode. The lower electrode is used for receiving the filtered signal to facilitate achieving ion energy at the chuck to be between a lower threshold and an upper threshold. Fig. lA 45
Abstract:
A method of forming spacers from a non-silicon oxide, silicon containing spacer layer with horizontal surfaces and sidewall surfaces over a substrate is provided. A plasma oxidation treatment is provided to form a silicon oxide coating over the spacer layer, wherein the silicon oxide coating provides a horizontal coating on the horizontal surfaces and sidewall coatings on the sidewall surfaces of the spacer layer. An anisotropic main etch that selectively etches horizontal surfaces of the spacer layer and silicon oxide coating with respect to sidewall surfaces of the spacer layer and the sidewall coatings of the silicon oxide coating is provided. The spacer layer is etched, wherein the sidewall coatings of the silicon oxide coating protect sidewall surfaces of the spacer layer.
Abstract:
The embodiments disclosed herein pertain to improved methods and apparatus for etching a semiconductor substrate. A plasma grid assembly is positioned in a reaction chamber to divide the chamber into upper and lower sub-chambers. The plasma grid assembly may include one or more plasma grids having slots of a particular aspect ratio, which allow certain species to pass through from the upper sub-chamber to the lower sub-chamber. Where multiple plasma grids are used, one or more of the grids may be movable, allowing for tenability of the plasma conditions in at least the lower sub-chamber. In some cases, an electron-ion plasma is generated in the upper sub-chamber. Electrons that make it through the grid to the lower sub-chamber are cooled as they pass through. In some cases, this results in an ion-ion plasma in the lower sub-chamber.
Abstract:
A method for etching a dielectric layer disposed below a patterned organic mask with features, with hardmasks at bottoms of some of the organic mask features is provided. An etch gas is provided. The etch gas is formed into a plasma. A bias RF with a frequency between 2 and 60 MHz is provided that provides pulsed bias with a pulse frequency between 10 Hz and 1 kHz wherein the pulsed bias selectively deposits on top of the organic mask with respect to the dielectric layer.
Abstract:
PROFILE AND CD UNIFORMITY CONTROL BY PLASMA OXIDATIONTREATMENTA method of forming spacers from a non-silicon oxide, silicon containing spacer layer withhorizontal surfaces and sidewall surfaces over a substrate is provided. A plasma oxidationtreatment is provided to form a silicon oxide coating over the spacer layer, wherein the siliconoxide coating provides a horizontal coating on the horizontal surfaces and sidewall coatings onthe sidewall surfaces of the spacer layer. An anisotropic main etch that selectively etcheshorizontal surfaces of the spacer layer and silicon oxide coating with respect to sidewallsurfaces of the spacer layer and the sidewall coatings of the silicon oxide coating is provided.The spacer layer is etched, wherein the sidewall coatings of the silicon oxide coating protectsidewall surfaces of the spacer layer. PROFILE AND CD UNIFORMITY CONTROL BY PLASMA OXIDATION TREATMENT Amethod of forming spacers from a non-silicon oxide, silicon containingspacer layer with horizontal surfaces and sidewall surfaces over asubstrate is provided. A plasma oxidation treatment is provided to form asilicon oxide coating over the spacer layer, wherein the silicon oxidecoating provides a horizontal coating on the horizontal surfaces andsidewall coatings on the sidewall surfaces of the spacer layer. Ananisotropic main etch that selectively etches horizontal surfaces of thespacer layer and silicon oxide coating with respect to sidewall surfaces ofthe spacer layer and the sidewall coatings of the silicon oxide coating isprovided. The spacer layer is etched, wherein the sidewall coatings of thesilicon oxide coating protect sidewall surfaces of the spacer layer. FIG. 1