Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for forming a predetermined configuration of a film material comprising: (a) forming a layer of germanium dioxide on a surface; (b) forming a layer of a second material on said layer of germanium dioxide, said germanium dioxide having an etch rate greater than that of said second material when said germanium dioxide and said second material are exposed to a common etchant; (c) etching portions of said second material and underlying portions of said germanium dioxide utilizing a common etchant to expose portions of said surface; (d) forming a layer of film material on said exposed portions of said surface and on remaining portions of said layer of second material; and (e) removing remaining portions of said germanium dioxide such that overlying second material and film material thereon are also removed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for forming a predetermined configuration of a film material comprising: (a) forming a layer of germanium dioxide on a surface; (b) forming a layer of a second material on said layer of germanium dioxide, said germanium dioxide having an etch rate greater than that of said second material when said germanium dioxide and said second material are exposed to a common etchant; (c) etching portions of said second material and underlying portions of said germanium dioxide utilizing a common etchant to expose portions of said surface; (d) forming a layer of film material on said exposed portions of said surface and on remaining portions of said layer of second material; and (e) removing remaining portions of said germanium dioxide such that overlying second material and film material thereon are also removed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said second material is silicon dioxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein said etching is accomplished by plasma etching.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein said common etchant is CF 4 -based plasma.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for forming a predetermined configuration of a film material comprising: (a) forming a layer of a water-soluble material on a surface; (b) forming a layer of a water-insoluble material on said layer of water-soluble material, said water-soluble material having an etch rate greater than that of said water-insoluble material when said materials are exposed to a common etchant; (c) covering said layer of water-insoluble material with photoresist and patterning said photoresist to expose portions of said layer of water-insoluble material; (d) plasma etching said exposed portions of said layer of water-insoluble material and underlying portions of said layer of water-soluble material utilizing a common etchant to expose portions of said surface; (e) forming a layer of film material on said exposed portions of said surface and on remaining portions of said layer of water-insoluble material; (f) immersing remaining portions of said water-soluble layer in water to dissolve said remaining portions of said water-soluble layer such that said overlying remaining portions of said water-insoluble layer and film material thereon are removed.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for forming a predetermined configuration of a film material comprising: (a) forming a layer of a water-soluble material on a surface; (b) forming a layer of a water-insoluble material on said layer of water-soluble material, said water-soluble material having an etch rate greater than that of said water-insoluble material when said materials are exposed to a common etchant; (c) covering said layer of water-insoluble material with photoresist and patterning said photoresist to expose portions of said layer of water-insoluble material; (d) plasma etching said exposed portions of said layer of water-insoluble material and underlying portions of said layer of water-soluble material utilizing a common etchant to expose portions of said surface; (e) forming a layer of film material on said exposed portions of said surface and on remaining portions of said layer of water-insoluble material; (f) immersing remaining portions of said water-soluble layer in water to dissolve said remaining portions of said water-soluble layer such that said overlying remaining portions of said water-insoluble layer and film material thereon are removed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 5 wherein said water-soluble material is germanium dioxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein said water-insoluble material is silicon dioxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein said plasma is a CF 4 -based plasma.