Patent ID: 7163641

Claim:
A method for plasma etching a dielectric material, comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate having the dielectric material formed thereover; applying a mask over the dielectric material so as to leave at least one aperture in the mask through which a surface of the dielectric material is exposed; disposing the semiconductor substrate in a plasma etch chamber, the plasma etch chamber having a roof over the semiconductor substrate, a ring around the semiconductor substrate, and a chuck supporting the semiconductor substrate; maintaining the roof at a temperature between about 115° C. and about 150° C.; maintaining the ring at a temperature between about 200° C. and about 250° C.; maintaining the chuck at a temperature between about −10° C. and 30° C.; and generating a carbon monoxide-devoid gas plasma comprising CHF 3 and CH 2 F 2 into an area proximate the at least one aperture.