Method of anisotropically etching silicon
First Claim
1. A method of anisotropic plasma etching of silicon to provide laterally defined recess structures therein through an etching mask employing a plasma, the method comprising:
- a. anisotropic plasma etching in an etching step a surface of the silicon by contact with a reactive etching gas to removed material from the surface of the silicon and provide exposed surfaces;
b. polymerizing in a polymerizing step at least one polymer former contained in the plasma onto the surface of the silicon during which the surfaces that were exposed in a preceding etching step are covered by a polymer layer thereby forming a temporary etching stop; and
c. alternatingly repeating the etching step and the polymerizing step.
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Abstract
A method of anisotropic plasma etching of silicon to provide laterally defined recess structures therein through an etching mask employing a plasma, the method including anisotropic plasma etching in an etching step a surface of the silicon by contact with a reactive etching gas to removed material from the surface of the silicon and provide exposed surfaces; polymerizing in a polymerizing step at least one polymer former contained in the plasma onto the surface of the silicon during which the surfaces that were exposed in a preceding etching step are covered by a polymer layer thereby forming a temporary etching stop; and alternatingly repeating the etching step and the polymerizing step. The method provides a high mask selectivity simultaneous with a very high anisotropy of the etched structures.
881 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of anisotropic plasma etching of silicon to provide laterally defined recess structures therein through an etching mask employing a plasma, the method comprising:
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a. anisotropic plasma etching in an etching step a surface of the silicon by contact with a reactive etching gas to removed material from the surface of the silicon and provide exposed surfaces; b. polymerizing in a polymerizing step at least one polymer former contained in the plasma onto the surface of the silicon during which the surfaces that were exposed in a preceding etching step are covered by a polymer layer thereby forming a temporary etching stop; and c. alternatingly repeating the etching step and the polymerizing step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification