GAMMA Product Family

With the semiconductor industry’s migration to ultra-shallow junctions, multiple patterning, ultra low-k dielectrics, and 3D architectures, photoresist strip processes need to deal effectively with more complex device structures. At the transistor level, small changes in the film as a result of the strip process can affect junction resistivity, junction depth, and dopant activation, thereby affecting device performance. For interconnect structures, unwanted changes in the properties of low-k dielectrics can also impact performance. Photoresist removal can also negatively impact materials used in advanced memory applications. These concerns are driving the development of new strip processes for advanced technology nodes. Challenges include removing residues, minimizing oxidation and silicon loss, and providing damage-free results, while at the same time delivering high throughput and low cost of ownership.