US4790903A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intermittent etching process
Assignee: The University of Tokyo
•
Filing: 1988-03-18
•
Granted: 1988-12-13
•
Expires: 2008-03-18
Abstract
Abstract An intermittent etching process for forming efficiently by reactive ion etching (RIE), a minute recess, such as a groove having an opening width as small as about 0.1 mu m, with a large aspect ratio in layers of metals, semiconductors, etc. The process comprises alternating RIE steps of brief duration e.g. 30 seconds with vacuumizing for evacuating gaseous reaction products produced in the RIE step from the etched recess. The process is particularly suitable for formation of a bridging portion of Nb, etc. constituting Josephson devices, by making use of three layered resist technique.
Inventors
- 👤 Takuo Sugano
- 👤 Hideharu Miyake
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:48
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N60/00; H10N60/01; H10N60/0912; C; C23; C23F; C23F4/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S438/00; Y10S438/942; Y10S438/948; Y10S438/95
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A process for forming a recess having a minute opening of a desired pattern with a width of about 0.1-0.15 μm and a large aspect ratio in a niobium layer by means of reactive ion etching (RIE), comprising the steps of: (a) forming a workpiece provided with the niobium layer covered by a three layered resist consisting of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) top layer, an amorphous silicon (a-Si) middle layer and an organic positive type electron beam resist (OEBM) bottom layer; (b) subjecting said workpiece to electron beam exposure to form a removed portion with said desired pattern in the top layer; and (c) subjecting the workpiece to intermittent RIE alternating with vacuumizing for evacuating gaseous reaction products to prevent a gaseous pressure increase in an etched recess, by making successive use of CF 4 plus O 2 gas plasma, O 2 gas plasma and CF 4 plus O 2 gas plasma, to form a recess having an opening with said desired pattern stepwise through the middle layer, bottom layer and niobium layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A process for forming a recess having a minute opening of a desired pattern with a width of about 0.1-0.15 μm and a large aspect ratio in a niobium layer by means of reactive ion etching (RIE), comprising the steps of: (a) forming a workpiece provided with the niobium layer covered by a three layered resist consisting of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) top layer, an amorphous silicon (a-Si) middle layer and an organic positive type electron beam resist (OEBM) bottom layer; (b) subjecting said workpiece to electron beam exposure to form a removed portion with said desired pattern in the top layer; and (c) subjecting the workpiece to intermittent RIE alternating with vacuumizing for evacuating gaseous reaction products to prevent a gaseous pressure increase in an etched recess, by making successive use of CF 4 plus O 2 gas plasma, O 2 gas plasma and CF 4 plus O 2 gas plasma, to form a recess having an opening with said desired pattern stepwise through the middle layer, bottom layer and niobium layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the duration of a single reactive ion etching step is about 20-60 seconds and a vacuumizing step is for about 1-3 minutes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottom layer has a thickness of about 0.3-0.6 μm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said a-Si layer is doped with phosphor and has a thickness of about 40 nm or less.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top layer is diluted with trichloroethylene and has a thickness of 0.2 μm or less.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said RIE is carried out with a self-bias voltage of at least 700 V.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-12-13 | 1992-06-13 | 1992-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-13 | 1996-06-13 | 1996-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-13 | 2000-06-13 | 2000-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |