Patent ID: 8277564
Filing Date: 2012-10-02
Classification: G03F,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for removing a hardened photoresist layer from a substrate comprising a low-κ dielectric material, the method comprising: subjecting a substrate comprising a photoresist layer and a low-κ dielectric material to at least one of an etching step and an ion implantation step, wherein the at least one of the etching step and the ion implantation step forms a hardened photoresist layer, wherein the hardened photoresist layer comprises at least one of a plasma etched photoresist, a plasma modified photoresist, and an ion implanted photoresist; subsequent to the at least one of the etching step and the ion implantation step, forming C═C double bonds in the hardened photoresist by exposing the hardened photoresist to UV radiation having a wavelength between 200 nm and 300 nm, wherein, during forming the C═C double bonds, the substrate is in at least one of a vacuum or an inert atmosphere; subsequent to forming the C═C double bonds, breaking the C═C double bonds by reacting the hardened photoresist with at least one of ozone (O removing the fragmented photoresist by wet processing with cleaning chemistries.