Focused electron-beam-induced etching of silicon dioxide

Focused electron-beam (FEB)-induced etching of silicon dioxide with xenon difluoride has been investigated as a selective nanoscale etching technique. In order to gain an understanding of the parameters that control etch rate and etch efficiency, the effects of beam current, beam energy, and scan rate conditions on the FEB process were examined. High etch rates were obtained for low beam energy, high beam current, and high scan rates. Experimental results also indicated that the FEB etch process is governed by the electron-stimulated desorption of oxygen from the SiO2 matrix, and subsequently rate limited by XeF2 availability. Based on experimental evidence and existing literature, a simple, two-step model was introduced to qualitatively describe the etch mechanism. The model involves a cyclical process, which is initiated by the reduction of a surface layer of SiO2 to elemental silicon. The exposed silicon surface is then removed by a chemical-mediated etch reaction. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.