Patent ID: 7071113
Filing Date: 2006-07-04
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A process for removal of a photoresist mask used to etch openings in a layer of carbon-doped low k carbon-doped silicon oxide dielectric material, and for removing etch residues remaining from either said etching of said openings or said removal of said photoresist mask, while inhibiting damage to said low k dielectric material, which comprises: a) providing an integrated circuit structure comprising a layer of low k carbon-doped silicon oxide dielectric material having openings etched therein and a photoresist mask formed over said low k dielectric layer; b) exposing the integrated circuit structure to a plasma formed from one or more reducing agents to remove at least a portion of said resist mask, and to remove at least a portion of: c) then exposing said integrated circuit structure to an anisotropic etch comprising a directional beam of charged particles further characterized by the substantial absence of uncharged radicals, and formed from a plasma formed from one or more oxidizing agents comprising a combination of oxygen and at least one further gas, to remove any remaining residues from both said formation of said openings in said layer of low k carbon-doped silicon oxide dielectric material and said removal of said resist mask.