Patent ID: 8968583
Filing Date: 2015-03-03
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for treating a microelectronic structure comprising: forming an opening in a dielectric layer using a photolithography process that includes a photoresist layer, wherein the opening in the dielectric layer exposes a surface of an underlying metal structure and wherein the photolithography process produces an etch residue present on surfaces of the opening which comprises a hydrophobic hydrocarbon component and a metallic-containing component; treating the surfaces of the opening with an oxygen containing plasma under conditions in which a removal rate of said etch residue is about 10 to about 50 angstroms per minute and wherein said treating converts said hydrophobic hydrocarbon component into a hydrophilic hydrocarbon component; removing said hydrophilic hydrocarbon component of the etch residue from the surfaces of the opening by treating the surfaces of the opening with an alcohol; and removing said metallic-containing component of the etch residue from the surfaces of the opening by treating the surfaces of the opening with an aqueous organic acid.