Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for removing a patterned multilevel resist formed on a substrate layer of a substrate, the multilevel resist having a lower resist layer and an upper resist layer formed on the lower resist layer, the upper resist layer containing silicon atoms, comprising the steps of: forming a resin layer on the lower resist layer and on a surface exposed from the patterned multilevel resist; etching said resin layer and the patterned multilevel resist by a first dry etching process using halogen containing gas until the upper resist layer is removed; and etching the resin layer and the multilevel resist, which have remained after said first dry etching process, by a second dry etching process using oxygen containing gas.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for removing a patterned multilevel resist formed on a substrate layer of a substrate, the multilevel resist having a lower resist layer and an upper resist layer formed on the lower resist layer, the upper resist layer containing silicon atoms, comprising the steps of: forming a resin layer on the lower resist layer and on a surface exposed from the patterned multilevel resist; etching said resin layer and the patterned multilevel resist by a first dry etching process using halogen containing gas until the upper resist layer is removed; and etching the resin layer and the multilevel resist, which have remained after said first dry etching process, by a second dry etching process using oxygen containing gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for removing a patterned multilevel resist according to claim 1, wherein said second dry etching process is a plasma etching process using oxygen containing gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method for removing a patterned multilevel resist according to claim 1, wherein said second dry etching process is an etching process using a downstream of O 2 plasma, which is defined as neutral gas flowing down from the plasma and containing neutral radicals but no ions and electrons.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method for removing a patterned multilevel resist according to claim 1, wherein the upper resist layer comprises an organic material containing silicon which can be patterned by an energy beam exposure process.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method for removing a patterned multilevel resist according to claim 1, wherein the lower resist layer comprises an organic material and the upper resist layer comprises a selective silylized surface of the lower resist layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method for removing a patterned multilevel resist according to claim 1, wherein the upper resist layer is patterned by an etching process using a mask that is formed on the upper resist layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for removing a patterned multilevel resist according to claim 6, wherein the upper resist layer comprises one of SiO 2 and a spin on glass (SOG).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for removing a patterned multilevel resist according to claim 1, wherein the resin layer comprises one of a novolak resin, methacrylic resin and styrene derivative resin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for removing patterned multilevel resist according to claim 1, wherein the halogen containing gas contains one of F 2 , CF 4 , CF 3 , C 2 F 6 , Cl 2 , CCl 4 , Br 2 , NF 3 and HBr.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method for removing a patterned multilevel resist according to claim 1, wherein the surface layer of the substrate comprises one of silicon oxide, a phosphosilicate glass (PSG) film, a borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG) film, silicon nitride, polycrystalline silicon, single crystalline silicon, tungsten, and tungsten silicide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for removing a patterned multilevel resist according to claim 1, wherein said method for removing a patterned multilevel resist is carried out when the patterned multilevel resist is defective.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for removing a patterned multilevel resist according to claim 1, wherein said method for removing a patterned multilevel resist is carried out after the surface layer of the substrate is etched by an etching process using the patterned multilevel resist.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for processing a patterned multilevel resist including a lower resist layer and an upper resist layer formed on the lower resist layer, comprising the steps of: forming a resin layer on the lower resist layer and on a surface exposed by the patterned multilevel resist; etching the resin layer and the patterned multilevel resist by a first dry etching process using halogen containing gas until the upper resist layer is removed; and etching the resin layer and the patterned multilevel resist remaining after the first dry etching process, by a second dry etching process using oxygen containing gas.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for processing a patterned multilevel resist including a lower resist layer and an upper resist layer formed on the lower resist layer, comprising the steps of: forming a resin layer on the lower resist layer and on a surface exposed by the patterned multilevel resist; etching the resin layer and the patterned multilevel resist by a first dry etching process using halogen containing gas until the upper resist layer is removed; and etching the resin layer and the patterned multilevel resist remaining after the first dry etching process, by a second dry etching process using oxygen containing gas.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said second dry etching process is a plasma etching process using oxygen containing gas.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein the halogen containing gas contains one of F 2 , CF 4 , CF 3 , C 2 F 6 , Cl 2 , CCl 4 , Br 2 , Nf 3 and HBr.