Patent ID: 7335268

Claim:
A method for removing polymers generated during an etching process, comprising the steps of: removing the polymers from a metal line, a via hole, or a pad open area by using an inorganic compound including DIW, H 2 SO 4 , H 2 O 2 and HF; forming a protective oxide film on the metal line, the via hole or the pad open area by using H 2 O 2 ; and protecting the metal line, the via hole or the pad open area by the protective oxide film while removing the polymers by using HF, wherein DIW occupies by volume about 70.5% to about 80.5% of the total volume of DIW, H 2 SO 4 H 2 O 2 and HF, H 2 SO 4 occupies by volume about 6.5% to about 8.5% of the total volume of DIW, H 2 SO 4 , H 2 O 2 and HF, H 2 O 2 occupies by volume about 15% to about 19% of the total volume of DIW, H 2 SO 4 , H 2 O 2 and HF, and HF occupies by volume a range of greater than 100 PPM and approximately less than or equal to 150 PPM of the total volume of DIW, H 2 SO 4 , H 2 O 2 and HF, and wherein the total volume % of DIW, H 2 SO 4 , H 2 O 2 and HF is about 100%.