Patent ID: 6667244
Filing Date: 2003-12-23
Classification: C01B,G03F,H01L

Abstract:
A method for removing organic and inorganic residues from the surface of a semiconductor device, the method comprising:providing a reaction chamber containing a semiconductor device with a residue formed thereon, introducing O2 and a forming gas having an H2 component into a catalytic moisture generator to create water vapor, transporting the water vapor to the reaction chamber, transporting etchant gases to the reaction chamber, exposing the water vapor and etchant gases to a microwave energy source as the water vapor and etchant gases are being transported to the reaction chamber, introducing the water vapor and etchant gases into the reaction chamber, applying RF energy to the etchant gases and water vapor to generate a plasma, and in the absence of fluorine, exposing the semiconductor device positioned within the reaction chamber to the plasma for a period of time sufficient for removal of the organic and inorganic residues from the surface of the semiconductor device.