Patent ID: 8871650
Filing Date: 2014-10-28
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of patterning a low-k dielectric film, the method comprising: etching a low-k dielectric layer disposed above a substrate with a first plasma process, the etching comprising forming a fluorocarbon polymer on the low-k dielectric layer; surface-conditioning, with a second plasma process, the low-k dielectric layer to remove the fluorocarbon polymer and to form an Si—O-containing protecting layer on the low-k dielectric layer, wherein surface-conditioning the low-k dielectric layer with the second plasma process comprises using a plasma derived from an oxygen radical source and a silicon source, and wherein the silicon source is a molecule that reacts with an oxygen radical to form a silicon oxide layer on the low-k dielectric layer, the silicon source selected from the group consisting of silicon tetrafluoride (SiF removing the Si—O-containing protecting layer with a third plasma process.