Patent ID: 7585775

Claim:
A method for preparing a first layer that covers a thin film circuit element in a semiconductor device for an application and removal of a second layer of material, said method comprising the steps of: applying a photoresist layer over said first layer; applying to said first layer and said photoresist layer a plasma etch process having a high sputter etch component; etching away material of said first layer and said photoresist layer with said plasma etch process to form a sloped surface in said first layer and said photoresist layer and a vertical edge in a substrate layer without uncovering said thin film circuit element, wherein the vertical edge is shorter than the sloped surface; applying said second layer of material to said sloped surface in said first layer and said photoresist layer; and subsequently removing said second layer with an overetch process to remove stringers of material of said second layer adjacent to the vertical edge.