IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,129,101
Granted Patent B2
US 8,129,101 · App. 12/399,019 · Granted Mar 6, 2012

Method for increasing the removal rate of photoresist layer

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,129,101
App. No.
12/399,019
Granted
Mar 6, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for increasing the removal rate of a photoresist layer is provided. The method includes performing a pre-treatment of a substrate, such as a plasma process, before forming the photoresist layer. The method can be applied to the fabrication of semiconductor devices for increasing the removal rate of the photoresist layer.

Claims (17)

1. A method for increasing the removal rate of a photoresist layer, comprising:

providing a substrate; and

performing a plasma treatment to the substrate before forming a photoresist layer, wherein a gas used for performing the plasma treatment is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrous oxide and combination thereof.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plasma treatment is performed at a temperature between 100° C. to 260° C.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein before forming the photoresist layer, further comprises performing a cleaning operation.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the cleaning operation is performed using a solution mixture without dilute hydrofluoric acid.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the solution mixture contains ammonium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide and de-ionized water.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the pre-treatment process is performed after the cleaning operation.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

after the photoresist layer is formed, performing an ion implant process using the photoresist layer as a mask to form a doped region in the substrate; and removing the photoresist layer.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of removing the photoresist layer comprises an ashing process and a cleaning process using at least one cleaning solution.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the ashing process is performed without using CF4.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the cleaning solution doesn't contain dilute hydrofluoric acid.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the cleaning process includes using a first solution mixture first and then using a second solution mixture.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first solution mixture contains ammonium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide and de-ionized water, and the second solution mixture contains hydrochloric acid, hydrogen peroxide and de-ionized water.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plasma treatment is performed to form a buffer layer over the substrate.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the substrate includes a structural component having logic devices or memory devices thereon.

Continuity (2)
Division 11163469 · Oct 20, 2005
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