Patent ID: 6207353
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: G03F,H01L

Abstract:
A method for minimizing blistering while etching a silicon oxide layer of a multilayer structure, said method comprising the steps of:selecting a photoresist comprising:(a) a photoactive component; and(b) a resin binder comprising a terpolymer having:i) units that contain acid-labile groups;ii) units that are free of reactive groups and hydroxyl groups;iii) units that contribute to aqueous developability of said photoresist;wherein the units that contain acid-labile groups comprise between 5 mole percent and 40 mole percent of all of the units of said terpolymer;wherein said resin binder minimizes blistering;forming a pattern in said photoresist disposed over a silicon oxide layer;exciting a gaseous fluorocarbon etchant, having a carbon-to-fluorine atomic ratio of at least 0.33, with sufficient energy to form a high-density plasma; andintroducing said high-density plasma to said silicon oxide layer to etch said silicon oxide layer.