Patent ID: 8592327

Claim:
A method for protecting an exposed low-k surface, comprising: receiving a substrate having a mask layer and a low-k layer formed thereon, wherein a pattern formed in said mask layer using a lithographic process has been transferred to said low-k layer using an etching process to form a structural feature therein; forming a SiOCl-containing layer on exposed surfaces of said mask layer and said low-k layer; anisotropically removing said SiOCl-containing layer from a top surface of said mask layer and a bottom surface of said structural feature in said low-k layer, while retaining a remaining portion of said SiOCl-containing layer on sidewall surfaces of said structural feature; performing an ashing process to remove at least a portion of said mask layer; and following said performing said ashing process, selectively removing said remaining portion of said SiOCl-containing layer from said sidewall surfaces of said structural feature.