Patent ID: 7947605
Filing Date: 2011-05-24
Classification: G03F,H01L

Abstract:
1. In a system at least for use in removing an implant crust that is formed as an outermost layer of photoresist in a photoresist pattern that is supported by a treatment object and which photoresist pattern defines a plurality of apertures each of which includes a sidewall that leads to an active device region of said treatment object, said active device region being formed responsive to exposure of the treatment object to an ion implant which introduces an implanted dopant into the active device region of the treatment object as well as into the photoresist, thereby producing said implant crust, and said implant crust being formed on said sidewall as well as on an uppermost, laterally extending surface of the layer of photoresist between the sidewalls of the apertures, a method comprising: applying a filler material to said treatment object such that the filler material reaches a fill depth in each aperture; exposing the treatment object and the filler material to a treatment environment such that at least said implant crust on said laterally extending surface of the photoresist is removed as the filler material protects said active device region of the aperture from said environment while at least a portion of the filler material is removed; and thereafter, removing a remaining portion of said photoresist layer.