Patent ID: 8975137
Filing Date: 2015-03-10
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A process of forming a slit in a substrate, comprising: forming a mask layer on a plurality of STI structures in a substrate to cover upper surfaces of the STI structures and expose upper surfaces of the substrate between the STI structures and not covered by the mask layer, wherein the mask layer does not comprise carbon; and performing an etching process to the substrate by using the mask layer as a mask, so as to form at least one slit in the substrate between the STI structures and expose a portion of the STI structures, wherein an etching gas is composed of Cl wherein damage to silicon oxide in the STI structures exposed in the etching process is prevented because an etching selectivity of silicon oxide in the STI structures to the mask layer is less than 0.05, wherein the step of performing the etching process simultaneously removes the mask layer completely to expose upper surface of the substrate.