Patent ID: 6297163
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A process for etching a dielectric layer, comprising the steps of:introducing a semiconductor substrate into a high density plasma etching reactor, the semiconductor substrate having a masking layer over a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive or semiconductive layer underlying the dielectric layer;supplying etching gas to the plasma etching reactor and energizing the etching gas into a high density plasma state, the etching gas consisting essentially of a fluorocarbon reactant of C.sub.4 F.sub.8 and CH.sub.2 F.sub.2 and carbon monoxide; andexposing the masking layer and exposed portions of the dielectric layer to the high density plasma so as to etch openings in the dielectric layer with the high density plasma, the etching rate of the dielectric layer to the etching rate of the masking layer being at least about 5.