Patent ID: 6889697

Claim:
A method for removing or etching polymer depositions from inside surfaces of via holes using a plasma process chamber wherein substrates are processed, wherein said etching of polymer depositions uses a transformer coupled plasma reactor, comprising the steps of: providing a semiconductor substrate, said substrates having been provided with via holes; providing a transformer coupled plasma reactor; performing Gas Distribution Plate polymer strip processing, wherein a plasma cleaning gas contains between 1250 and 1750 SCCM O 2 , then; performing a first via hole polymer strip processing step, wherein a plasma cleaning gas contains between 700 and 800 SCCM O 2 , partially etching polymer depositions from sidewalls of said via holes; and then performing a second via hole polymer strip processing step, wherein a plasma cleaning gas contains between 700 and 800 SCCM O 2 , completely etching polymer depositions from sidewalls of said via holes, wherein said etching polymer depositions comprises the steps of: (i) positioning the substrate in said transformer coupled plasma reactor within which there can be created a radio frequency discharge and wherein pressure can be adjusted; (ii) flowing through said transformer coupled plasma reactor a gaseous medium that, when subjected to a radio frequency discharge, generates a plasma that includes reactive ions; (iii) adjusting a pressure level within said transformer coupled plasma reactor; (iv) adjusting a power level applied to a top plate in the transformer coupled plasma reactor; (v) adjusting a power level applied to a bottom plate in the transformer coupled plasma reactor; (vi) adjusting a composition of a plasma cleaning gas in the transformer coupled plasma reactor; and (vii) performing a plasma cleaning step by activating the cleaning gas and forming a plasma cleaning gas, contacting a target surface area within the transformer coupled plasma reactor with the plasma cleaning gas for a time sufficient to remove polymer residues from a target surface area.