Patent ID: 6492279
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: H01J,H01L

Abstract:
A plasma etching method comprising:forming a patterned organic masking layer outwardly of a feature layer to be etched, the patterned organic masking layer having at least one feature pattern having a minimum feature dimension of less than or equal to 0.3 micron, the feature layer having a thickness; and 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 at least 30% of the thickness of the feature layer is etched using an etching gas comprising one gas compound comprising carbon, hydrogen and at least one halogen present in the etching gas 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 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 at a conclusion of the one etching segment which is characterizable by an average value 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, wherein the organic masking layer comprises photoresist, and another organic masking material layer forming thereover during the plasma etching, the average maximum value of the organic layer top outer surface roughness being that of the another organic masking material top outer surface and not that of the photoresist.