IP Library Granted Patent US 7,176,139
Granted Patent B2
US 7,176,139 · App. 10/426,988 · Granted Feb 13, 2007

Etching method in a semiconductor processing and etching system for performing the same

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,176,139
App. No.
10/426,988
Granted
Feb 13, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed is an etching method for semiconductor processing by which a pattern loading phenomenon is reduced. First, plasma is generated while setting a bias power applied to a wafer to zero and applying a source power. After a predetermined time period, an etching process is implemented onto a predetermined layer formed on the wafer by setting the bias power to a predetermined value. Since by-products generated during preceding etching processes can be readily removed during an etching using plasma, an etching process change due to a difference of pattern densities can be reduced. In addition, a progressive pattern loading generated as the number of processed wafers increase, can be prevented.

Claims (9)

1. An etching method in a semiconductor processing comprising: forming a polysilicon layer, a tungsten silicide layer and an anti-reflective layer on a wafer;

generating plasma while setting a bias power applied to the wafer to zero and applying a source power for about 5 to about 90 seconds using a first processing gas of CF 4 /Ar;

executing an etching process onto the anti-reflective layer by setting the bias power to a first predetermined value;

generating plasma while setting the bias power to zero and applying the source power for about 5 to about 90 seconds using a second processing gas of Cl 2 /SF 6 ;

executing an etching process onto the tungsten silicide layer and the polysilicon layer by setting the bias power to a second predetermined value;

generating plasma while setting the bias power to zero and applying the source power for about 5 to about 90 seconds using a third processing gas of HBr/O 2 ; and

executing an etching process onto the polysilicon layer by setting the bias power to a third predetermined value.

2. An etching method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein different regions of the wafer having different pattern densities are formed after completing the etching process.

3. An etching method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the generating plasma steps and executing an etching process steps are executed in-situ.

Assignments (10)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2020
From: CPPIB CREDIT INVESTMENTS INC.
To: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 054371/0684 →
RELEASE OF U.S. PATENT AGREEMENT (FOR NON-U.S. GRANTORS) Recorded Oct 12, 2018
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS LENDER
To: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 047645/0424 →
AMENDED AND RESTATED U.S. PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (FOR NON-U.S. GRANTORS) Recorded Aug 22, 2018
From: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
To: CPPIB CREDIT INVESTMENTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 046900/0136 →
U.S. PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (FOR NON-U.S. GRANTORS) Recorded Sep 9, 2014
From: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
To: CPPIB CREDIT INVESTMENTS INC., AS LENDER; ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS LENDER
Reel/Frame 033706/0367 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Sep 3, 2014
From: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
To: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 033678/0096 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 7, 2014
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
To: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.; CONVERSANT IP N.B. 868 INC.; CONVERSANT IP N.B. 276 INC.
Reel/Frame 033484/0344 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 13, 2014
From: MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
To: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 032439/0638 →
U.S. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT (FOR NON-U.S. GRANTORS) - SHORT FORM Recorded Jan 10, 2012
From: 658276 N.B. LTD.; 658868 N.B. INC.; MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
Reel/Frame 027512/0196 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 25, 2010
From: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
To: MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 025423/0170 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 30, 2003
From: JUNG, YOUNG-JAE
To: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 014032/0257 →