Patent ID: 6635184
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: C04B,G11B,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
A process for pattern-etching an alumina layer, the process comprising:forming an alumina layer over a substrate; forming a mask over said alumina layer, said mask comprising at least one metallic layer and at least one photoresist layer disposed over said at least one metallic layer, said at least one metallic layer comprising a bottom adhesion metallic layer and a top metallic layer, said top metallic layer and said bottom adhesion metallic layer are the same metallic layer when said at least one metallic layer comprises a single metallic layer, said at least one metallic layer having at least one opening formed therethrough by etching a portion of the top metallic layer through at least one opening in the photoresist layer and removing a portion of other underlying metallic layers, if any, through the at least one opening in said top metallic layer, said at least one opening in said at least one metallic layer defining at least one location for etching the alumina layer; etching at least a portion of said alumina layer by solely applying a wet alumina etchant through said at least one opening in said at least one metallic layer to pattern-etch said alumina layer, said wet alumina etchant comprising HF and said at least one metallic layer being substantially free of pores and substantially immune from etching by said wet alumina etchant; and removing said at least one photoresist layer.