A novel resist and post-etch residue removal process using ozonated chemistries

A novel, environmentally friendly process is successfully applied for the removal of photoresist and organic post-etch residues from silicon surfaces. The moist ozone gasphase process described, greatly increases the organic removal efficiency. Improved performance over traditional processes is due to enhanced reactive ozone availability near the wafer surface. Additionally, OH radical scavengers such as acetic acid chemically enhance the process efficiency even further.