Patent ID: 8901004
Filing Date: 2014-12-02
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of producing a plurality of etched features in an electronic device, the method comprising: performing a first time-divisional plasma etch process step within a plasma chamber to etch a plurality of features to a first depth; stopping the first time-divisional plasma etch process step; evacuating etchant gases from the plasma chamber; after the evacuating of the etchant gases from the plasma chamber, performing a flash process step to remove polymers from exposed surfaces of the plurality of features without requiring an oxidation step to form an oxide on the plurality of features, the flash process step being performed without a bias voltage applied to a substrate containing the plurality of features; stopping the flash process step; evacuating flash processing gases from the plasma chamber; performing a second time-divisional plasma etch process step within the plasma chamber to etch the plurality of features to a second depth, the second depth being at a great depth than the first depth; and making a determination whether a final etch depth has been reached, the final etch depth being determined by whether a desired dimension is achieved for the plurality of etched features, wherein the flash process step is performed without the use of oxygen.