Patent ID: 6812154
Filing Date: 2004-11-02
Classification: H01J,H01L

Abstract:
A plasma etching method comprising:providing a substrate having a feature layer thereover and a patterned organic masking layer over the feature layer, the feature layer having a thickness and at least one feature pattern having a width of less than 0.3 microns and plasma etched to at least 30% of the thickness, wherein an organic masking layer top outer surface roughness proximate the feature pattern comprises a first degree of sidewall roughness greater than 100 angstroms as is determinable by scanning electron microscopy as an average maximum size of all surface discernible objects of the patterned masking layer as measured and averaged along any 0.3 micron length of top outer surface from the one feature pattern; plasma etching the at least one feature pattern into the feature layer using the organic masking layer as a mask, the plasma etching comprising at least one etching segment where a remainder of the thickness of the feature layer is etched using an etching gas comprising CXaH(4-a), provided that X is a halogen and 1&lE;a&gE;3, the CXaH(4-a) being present at greater than or equal to 70% concentration by volume as compared to all carbon, hydrogen and halogen containing gas compounds in the etching gas; and wherein the etching gas is effective to produce at least that portion of the one feature pattern in the feature layer formed during the one etching segment to have a sidewall taper, if any, of less than or equal to 5Â° and an organic masking layer top outer surface roughness proximate the feature pattern comprises a second degree sidewall roughness less than 100 Angstroms as is determinable by scanning electron microscopy as an average maximum size of all surface discernible objects of the patterned masking layer as measured and averaged along any 0.3 micron length of top outer surface from the one feature pattern.