Etching
Etching is a process for pattern transfer and surface treatment in micro-nano device fabrication. E6NanoFab makes available dry and wet etching systems to support the diverse process requirement.
Dry Etching
Multi-chamber cluster tools such as ICP plasma etching and ion beam milling provide strong dry etching capabilities for various materials such as Si, III-V & III-N, oxides, metals, polymers and others.
Wet Etching
Our dedicated wet-benches support several wet processes such as RCA, standard cleaning, and orientation dependent Si KOH etching.
System Overview
The Integrated ICP Etch Cluster comprises Metal etch module, Dielectric etch module and III-V etch module. It is capable to handle 8” wafer with up to 8 mass flow controlled gas lines for each module.
1. The Metal Etch Module
- Metal etch module (W, Al, AlN tested)
- InP grating etch
- Cryo-cooled/electrically heated etch lower electrode, working temperature: -150 ºC – +400 ºC
- Helium backing between wafer and lower electrode promoting heat transfer
- Standard gasline and MFC for nontoxic gases (SF6, Ar, O2, N2)
- Bypassed gas line and MFC for toxic gas (Cl2, BCl3, HBr)
- External gaspod gas line heating kit for low vapour pressure gases (BCl3)
2. Dielectric Module
- Chamber Liner for effective etching
- Standard gas line and MFC for nontoxic gases (SF6, Ar, O2, N2, C4F8, CHF3)
- Bypassed gas line and MFC for toxic gas (Cl2)
3. III-V Etch Module
- Cryo-cooled/electrically heated etch lower electrode, working temperature: -150ºC-+400 ºC
- Rapid cooling from cryo to chiller mode, from 200°C to 20°C in 40 minutes
- Standard gasline and MFC for nontoxic gases (SF6, Ar, O2, N2)
- Bypassed gas line and MFC for toxic gas (Cl2, BCl3, H2, CH4)
- External gaspod gas line heating kit for low vapour pressure gases (BCl3)
Location
E6-05-09, Cleanroom
Contact
e6nanofab@nus.edu.sg
System Overview
Xenon Difluoride etcher is a kind of vapor etcher where reactive gas spontaneously reacts with a material in vapor phase.
This XeF2 can etch Si and Ge isotropically and offers excellent selectivity to various materials such as Al, SiO2, Si3N4 and photoresist.
Location
E6-05-09, Level 5 Cleanroom
Contact: e6nanofab@nus.edu.sg
System Overview
Plasma Asher uses oxygen plasma to remove photoresist from wafers.
Technical specifications 
- Capable to handle 200 mm wafers
- Gas Flows: O2= 1000 – 2000 sccm. N2 – 100 –500 sccm
- μ-wave Power: 2.45GHz, 1000 watt, continuously adjustable
- Base pressure: ≤0.5 mtorr
- Operating pressure: 0.5- 5 mtorr
- IR temperature measurement outside chamber
- Optical Endpoint Detector (based on plasma intensity signal)
- Platen Temperature: 100° – 300° C
- Uniformity within wafer: 2% – 5%
- Wafer to Wafer: 2% – 4%
- Ash Rate: min < 200Å – max ≥ 3 μm./min.
Location
E6-05-09, Level 5 Cleanroom
Contact: e6nanofab@nus.edu.sg
System Overview
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- Metal and dielectric planarization(Cu Al, SiO2, SiN..)
- Within wafer non-uniformity 5%
- Run to run non-uniformity 5%
- Finishing surface roughness 1nm
Location
E6-01-02, Class 100 Cleanroom
Contact
e6nanofab@nus.edu.sg
System Overview
Femto Science VITA 8 plasma cleaner can be used for material etching and activation as well as 2D material surface treatment.
o Wafer size: up to 200mm or 8 inch
o Gas Flows: Ar, O2
o RF power: 13.56MHz / 20-300W adjustable
o Manual and Automatic Operation Mode
o Uniformity within wafer: 2% – 5%
Location
E6-01-02, Class 100 Cleanroom
Contact
e6nanofab@nus.edu.sg