Patent ID: 6673721
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
A process for removing etch residues from vias and for removing a photoresist mask used to form said vias in low k carbon-doped silicon oxide dielectric material while inhibiting damage to said low k silicon oxide dielectric material which comprises:a) exposing said photoresist mask and said vias to a plasma formed from one or more reducing agents to remove at least a portion of said resist mask and at least a portion of said etch residues in said vias; and b) then exposing said vias and any remaining portions of said resist mask to a plasma formed from one or more oxidizing agents to remove the remainder of said etch residues in said vias and any remaining portions of said photoresist mask said step of exposing said vias and any remaining portions of said resist mask to a plasma formed from one or more oxidizing agents further comprises exposing said remainder of said etch residues in said vias and any remaining portions of said photoresist mask to a directional beam of charged particles from said plasma formed from one or more oxidizing agents, and said directional beam of charged particles is further characterized by the substantial absence of radicals.