Patent ID: 7199060
Filing Date: 2007-04-03
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for patterning dielectric layers on semiconductor substrates1 comprising at least the steps of: providing a first layer; depositing at least one layer formed from a dielectric on the first layer, so that a dielectric layer is obtained; depositing a photosensitive resist layer on the dielectric layer; exposing and developing the photosensitive resist layer in sections, so that a resist mask is obtained, through which sections of the dielectric layer are uncovered; removing the dielectric layer in the sections which have been uncovered through the resist mask at least dawn to a depth which is such that the first layer is uncovered; incinerating the resist mask in an oxygen plasma, the incineration being carried out at a temperature which is selected to be approximately 2000° C. or lower, and the oxygen plasma being generated from a gas which at least contains oxygen gas and a forming gas, the oxygen gas being present in an amount of between approximately 60% and 40% volume and the forming gas being present in an amount of between approximately 40% and 60% volume, so that a patterned dielectric layer is obtained , the incinerating minimizing total lost of the patterned dielectric layer in a subsequent step of cleaning; and cleaning the patterned dielectric layer using aqueous dilute hydrofluoric acid.