Patent ID: 6534397
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method of eliminating, or at least substantially reducing, photoresist poisoning during recess patterning of a layer of a material, comprising the sequential steps of:(a) forming a first photoresist layer on an upper surface of said layer; (b) patterning said first photoresist layer to include at least one opening therein having a first width; (c) forming at least one first recess in said upper surface of said layer utilizing said patterned first photoresist layer as a mask, said at least one first recess having a first width substantially corresponding to said first width of said at least one opening in said first photoresist layer and extending for a first depth below said surface of said layer; (d) treating exposed surfaces of said layer to eliminate, or at least substantially reduce the amount of, at least one contaminant or constituent thereof which can poison a second photoresist layer subsequently formed in contact with said upper surface of said layer; (e) removing said first photoresist layer; and (f) forming a second photoresist layer on said upper surface of said layer; wherein poisoning of said second photoresist layer by entry thereinto of said at least one contaminant or constituent of said layer is eliminated or at least substantially reduced due to said surface treating of step (d).