Patent ID: 6989331

Claim:
A method of removing a hard mask layer from an upper surface of a patterned layer, which is formed over an underlying layer, where the hard mask layer is removed using an etchant that detrimentally etches the underlying layer when the underlying layer is exposed to the etchant for a length of time typically required to remove the hard mask layer, without detrimentally etching the underlying layer, the method comprising the steps of: modifying all of the hard mask layer that is remaining on the upper surface of the patterned layer at a time when the modifying is accomplished, without modifying portions of the underlying layer that are to remain, so that the hard mask layer is etched by the etchant at a substantially faster rate than that at which the etchant etches the underlying layer in the unmodified portions that are to remain, patterning the hard mask layer to expose portions of the patterned layer, etching the patterned layer to expose portions of the underlying layer that are to be removed, and etching both the hard mask layer and the exposed portions of the underlying layer with the etchant, where the etchant etches the hard mask layer at a substantially faster rate than that at which the etchant etches the unmodified portions of the underlying layer, because of the modification of the hard mask layer.