摘要 |
A method of reconditioning the reaction chamber of an etching reactor and controlling critical dimensions of an etch layer. After dry-cleaning or preventive maintenance, gaseous nitrogen and hydrogen are introduced into the reaction chamber and a dummy wafer is placed inside the reaction chamber. A radio frequency (RF) power source is switched on to initiate a wafer etching operation. Photoresist material on the dummy wafer reacts with the gases inside the reaction chamber to form high molecular weight particles so that the chamber is reconditioned within a very short time. Alternatively, instead of a dummy wafer, a production wafer with an etch-pending layer that can react with gaseous nitrogen and oxygen may be placed inside the reaction chamber after a dry cleaning or preventive maintenance. Gaseous nitrogen and hydrogen are introduced into the reaction chamber and then RF power is switched on to initiate wafer etching. The gases inside the reaction chamber react with the production wafer to produce high molecular weight particles rapidly, thereby in-situ reconditioning the reaction chamber. Moreover, the gaseous mixture reacts with the etch-pending layer on the wafer in a controlled manner so that critical dimensions are more accurate and sidewalls are closer to the vertical.
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