Patent ID: 6030904
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method for stabilizing a film of carbon-based material comprising the steps of:selecting a film of carbon based material wherein said carbon based material is selected from the group consisting of amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a--C:H), diamond-like carbon (DLC), fluorinated diamond-like carbon (FDLC), DLC or FDLC containing one or more additives selected from the group consisting of oxygen, silicon, germanium, nitrogen, and all metallic elements, and layered combinations of said diamond-like materials;heating said film to a temperature above its deposition temperature in an ambient selected from the group consisting of a vacuum and a non-oxidizing gas ambient, said step of heating includes the step of heating by rapid thermal annealing to a temperature in the range from 350.degree. C. to 600.degree. C.; andcontinuing said step of heating for a time sufficient to dimensionally stabilize said film by removing volatiles from within said film.