Patent ID: 8153533

Claim:
A method for processing a microelectronic topography, comprising: adding a non-aqueous liquid chemical formulation to a microelectronic topography having remnants of an aqueous liquid arranged upon its surface at approximately atmospheric pressure such that separated device structures comprising an upper surface of the microelectronic topography are submerged below a liquid-gas interface; pressurizing a process chamber comprising the microelectronic topography subsequent to the step of adding the non-aqueous liquid chemical formulation, wherein the step of pressurizing the process chamber comprises introducing a first flow of a fluid in a gas state into the process chamber until a chamber pressure equal to or greater than a preset pressure level is attained, wherein the preset pressure level is: a saturated vapor pressure value of the fluid when the fluid comprises a temperature less than the critical temperature of the fluid; and the critical pressure value of the fluid when the fluid comprises a temperature greater than the critical temperature of the fluid; keeping the separated device structures submerged in a liquid comprising at least one component of the non-aqueous liquid chemical formulation during the step of pressurizing the process chamber; introducing a second flow of the fluid into the process chamber without introducing supplementary solvents or surfactants into the process chamber at least subsequent to attaining a chamber pressure equal to or greater than the preset pressure level, wherein the step of introducing the second flow of the fluid into the process chamber comprises flushing from the microelectronic topography the liquid used to submerge the microelectronic topography during the step of pressurizing the process chamber; maintaining the process chamber at or above the preset pressure level during the step of introducing the second flow of the fluid into the process chamber; providing a heated environment within the process chamber such that the fluid within the process chamber is at a temperature equal to or above the critical temperature of the fluid at least subsequent to flushing the liquid from the microelectronic topography; and subsequently venting the process chamber in a manner sufficient to prevent formation of a liquid in the process chamber.