Preferential chemical etch for doped silicon

摘要

The present invention provides an improved etchant composition and method for the resistivity specific etching of doped silicon films which overlie intrinsic or lightly doped crystal regions. The composition of the etchant is 0.2-6 mole % hydrofluoric acid, 14-28 mole % nitric acid, and 66-86 mole % acetic acid/water. The etchant leaves no silicon residue and provides for controlled etching with an etch stop at the lightly doped or intrinsic region.