Patent ID: 6218084
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: G03F,H01L

Abstract:
A method for removing photoresist on a wafer having an oxide layer thereon and a photoresist layer on the oxide layer, the method comprising the steps of:performing an etching step to form an opening penetrating through the photoresist layer and the oxide layer to expose a portion of the wafer, consequently forming a polymer layer along a surface profile of the opening and covering the photoresist layer;performing an in-situ plasma etching step using an additional gas mixed with oxygen as a source to remove the photoresist layer and the polymer layer, wherein the step of removing the photoresist layer and the polymer layer is performed under the conditions of:a combined flux of about 100-3000 sccm for the oxygen gas and additional gas;a pressure of about 20 millitorr to 1 torr for the oxygen gas and additional gas;a power of about 1000 to about 3000 W for the in-situ plasma etching step;a bias power on a wafer of about 0 to about 300 W for the in-situ plasma-etching step;a wafer temperature of about -20 to about 400 centigrade for removing the photoresist layer and the polymer layer; anda pressure of about 1 to about 100 torr for a helium background gas.