Patent ID: 8377253
Filing Date: 2013-02-19
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A vapor etching system comprising: a main chamber for supporting a sample to be etched; an etching gas source in fluid communication with the main chamber via a first gas control valve; a cooling/purging gas source in fluid communication with the main chamber via a second gas control valve; a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the main chamber via a third gas control valve; and a controller configured for controlling said gas control valves whereupon etching gas and cooling/purging gas are alternately input a plurality of times into the main chamber, which is evacuated between the alternate input thereof, whereupon, between alternate inputs of etching gas into the main chamber, the cooling/purging gas input into the main chamber is allowed to remain in the main chamber for a sufficient period of time to reduce the temperature of the sample to a desired temperature, wherein the sufficient period of time is less than 20 seconds; and/or the desired temperature is close to an original or starting temperature of the sample at the start of an immediately prior instance of introducing etching gas into the main chamber, wherein: the etching gas is xenon difluoride, krypton difluoride, or a halogen fluoride; and the cooling/purging gas is helium, nitrogen, or argon.