Patent ID: 6492272
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: G03F,H01L

Abstract:
A method of removing a photoresist layer from a workpiece by means of plasma ashing, comprising the steps of:(a) providing the interior space of a plasma reactor with a workpiece including at least one layer of a photoresist material on a surface thereof; (b) supplying said interior space of said reactor with a gas mixture comprising a plasma ashing gas and a carrier gas/diluent for said plasma ashing gas, said carrier gas/diluent comprising an inert gas having an atomic weight greater than that of argon (Ar); and (c) removing said at least one layer of photoresist material from said workpiece surface by generating a plasma comprising said plasma ashing gas and said carrier gas/diluent within said interior space of said reactor by supplying electrical power thereto a level less than that supplied to said reactor when utilizing Ar gas as a said carrier gas/diluent for said plasma ashing gas, whereby deleterious sputter etching of said workpiece resulting from bombardment of said workpiece by ions of said carrier gas/diluent formed in said plasma is eliminated, or at least substantially reduced, relative to when Ar gas is utilized as said carrier gas/diluent.