Electrolysis: processes – compositions used therein – and methods – Electrolytic erosion of a workpiece for shape or surface... – Aperture making
Patent
1999-05-18
2000-10-31
Gorgos, Kathryn
Electrolysis: processes, compositions used therein, and methods
Electrolytic erosion of a workpiece for shape or surface...
Aperture making
205666, C25F 312
Patent
active
061397164
ABSTRACT:
A wet chemical process for etching submicron patterned holes in thin metal layers using electrochemical etching with the aid of a wetting agent. In this process, the processed wafer to be etched is immersed in a wetting agent, such as methanol, for a few seconds prior to inserting the processed wafer into an electrochemical etching setup, with the wafer maintained horizontal during transfer to maintain a film of methanol covering the patterned areas. The electrochemical etching setup includes a tube which seals the edges of the wafer preventing loss of the methanol. An electrolyte composed of 4:1 water: sulfuric is poured into the tube and the electrolyte replaces the wetting agent in the patterned holes. A working electrode is attached to a metal layer of the wafer, with reference and counter electrodes inserted in the electrolyte with all electrodes connected to a potentiostat. A single pulse on the counter electrode, such as a 100 ms pulse at +10.2 volts, is used to excite the electrochemical circuit and perform the etch. The process produces uniform etching of the patterned holes in the metal layers, such as chromium and molybdenum of the wafer without adversely effecting the patterned mask.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3678348 (1972-07-01), Reber et al.
patent: 5071510 (1991-12-01), Findler et al.
patent: 5139624 (1992-08-01), Searson et al.
patent: 5501787 (1996-03-01), Bassous et al.
Contolini Robert J.
Liberman Vladimir
McCarthy Anthony M.
Morse Jeffrey
Carnahan L. E.
Gorgos Kathryn
Grzybicki Daryl S.
Parsons Thomas H.
The Regents of the University of California
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