Thermal atomic layer etching processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase halide reactant and a second vapor halide reactant. In some embodiments, the first reactant may comprise an organic halide compound. During the thermal ALE cycle, the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.

Thermal atomic layer etching processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase halide reactant and a second vapor halide reactant. In some embodiments, the first reactant may comprise an organic halide compound. During the thermal ALE cycle, the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.

The present disclosure is directed to a dry etching method for a substrate having a silicon compound film, including: plasmatizing a dry etching agent; and etching the silicon compound film with the plasmatized dry etching agent through a mask formed with a predetermined opening pattern on the silicon compound film, wherein the dry etching agent contains the following first to fourth gases; the first gas is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of iodinated fluorocarbon compounds and brominated fluorocarbon compounds; the second gas is an unsaturated fluorocarbon represented by C.sub.nF.sub.m; the third gas is an unsaturated hydrofluorocarbon represented by C.sub.xH.sub.yF.sub.z; and the fourth gas is an oxidizing gas.

The present disclosure is directed to a dry etching method for a substrate having a silicon compound film, including: plasmatizing a dry etching agent; and etching the silicon compound film with the plasmatized dry etching agent through a mask formed with a predetermined opening pattern on the silicon compound film, wherein the dry etching agent contains the following first to fourth gases; the first gas is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of iodinated fluorocarbon compounds and brominated fluorocarbon compounds; the second gas is an unsaturated fluorocarbon represented by C.sub.nF.sub.m; the third gas is an unsaturated hydrofluorocarbon represented by C.sub.xH.sub.yF.sub.z; and the fourth gas is an oxidizing gas.

Provided therefore herein is a novel acidic fluoride activated cleaning chemistry. The present invention includes novel acidic fluoride activated, unique organic-solvent based microelectronic selective etchant/cleaner compositions with high metal nitride etch and broad excellent compatibility, including tungsten (W) and low-k. It does not use W-incompatible oxidizers, such as hydrogen peroxide or particle-generating corrosion inhibitors.

Provided therefore herein is a novel acidic fluoride activated cleaning chemistry. The present invention includes novel acidic fluoride activated, unique organic-solvent based microelectronic selective etchant/cleaner compositions with high metal nitride etch and broad excellent compatibility, including tungsten (W) and low-k. It does not use W-incompatible oxidizers, such as hydrogen peroxide or particle-generating corrosion inhibitors.

Thermal atomic layer etching processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase halide reactant and a second vapor halide reactant. In some embodiments, the first reactant may comprise an organic halide compound. During the thermal ALE cycle, the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.

Thermal atomic layer etching processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase halide reactant and a second vapor halide reactant. In some embodiments, the first reactant may comprise an organic halide compound. During the thermal ALE cycle, the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.

An aqueous composition for use in activating surface of polymers.

An aqueous composition for use in activating surface of polymers.