Patent ID: 7592264

Claim:
A method of removing material from a semiconductor substrate, comprising a) placing a semiconductor substrate having material on a surface thereof in a treatment chamber; b) dispensing a liquid sulfuric acid composition from a first supply line comprising sulfuric acid and/or its desiccating species and precursors onto the substrate surface in an amount effective to substantially uniformly coat the substrate surface; c) exposing the liquid sulfuric acid composition on the substrate surface to water vapor which is dispensed from a second supply line and in an amount effective to increase the temperature of the liquid sulfuric acid composition above the temperature of the liquid sulfuric acid composition prior to exposure to the water vapor; wherein the liquid sulfuric acid composition at the time of exposure to water vapor has a water/sulfuric acid molar ratio of no greater than about 5:1; and d) removing material from the substrate.