Cl2-Based Dry Etching Of The AIGaInN System In Inductively Coupled Plasmas

Abstract

AbstractCl2-based Inductively Coupled Plamas with low additional dc self-biases(−100V) produce convenient etch rates(500–1500Å.min−1) for GaN, AIN, InN, InAiN and InGaN. A systematic study of the effects of additive gas(Ar, N2, H2), discharge composition and ICP source power and chuck power on etch rate and surface morphology has been performed. The general trends are to go through a maximum in etch rate with percent C12 in the discharge for all three mixtures, and to have an increase(decrease) in etch rate with source power(pressure). Since the etching is strongly ion-assisted, anisotropic pattern transfer is readily achieved. Maximum etch selectivities of approximately 6 for InN over the other nitrides were obtained.