Patent ID: 6210593
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: G01L

Abstract:
An etching method for sequentially etching target films formed on respective wafers by using a plasma, comprising:an etching-rate measuring step of measuring an etching rate at each of peripheral and central portions of the first target film formed on the first wafer; anda radical-quantity controlling step of controlling a quantity of radicals by increasing the quantity of radicals arriving at a central portion of the second target film formed on the second wafer to be etched subsequently to said first wafer or decreasing the quantity of radicals arriving at a peripheral portion of said second target film when the etching rate is higher at the peripheral portion of said first target film than at the central portion thereof or controlling the quantity of radicals by decreasing the quantity of radicals arriving at the central portion of said second target film or increasing the quantity of radicals arriving at the peripheral portion of said second target film when the etching rate is lower at the peripheral portion of said first target film than at the central portion thereof.