Unraveling etching mechanism for SiN film in cryogenic hydrogen-fluoride plasmas

Cryogenic plasma etching is a pivotal technology for next-generation 3D semiconductor devices with high-aspect-ratio and nanoscale features. During reactive ion etching of SiN in hydrogen fluoride (HF)-containing plasmas, an ammonium fluorosilicate (AFS) layer is formed; however, the precise role of the AFS in etching kinetics has remained highly controversial since its discovery in the 1980s. This lack of consensus has left the SiN plasma etching mechanism largely obscure, even within the context of modern cryogenic processes. Here, we elucidate this mechanism using in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry and attenuated-total-reflection FTIR while manipulating substrate temperature ( T s ), bias voltage, and HF partial pressure via Ar dilution. We reveal that the etch rate (ER) and the AFS thickness are established through a dynamic balance between HF-induced AFS formation and simultaneous removal by ion bombardment. This interplay results in a characteristic bell-shaped ER dependence on T s and Ar content. Crucially, whether AFS promotes or retards etching depends on the rate-determining step: in removal-limited regimes, ER is inversely proportional to the AFS thickness, whereas in formation-limited regimes, they are positively correlated. The proposed model suggests that ER at low T s can be significantly enhanced through high bias voltages or synergistic chemistries that catalyze AFS depletion. • HF-based cryogenic plasma for SiN etching was investigated. • In situ ellipsometry and FTIR were used to reveal the etching mechanism. • Etch rate is not necessarily correlated to thickness of (NH 4 ) 2 SiF 6 on SiN surface. • Whether AFS promotes or retards etching depends on the rate-determining step. • Proposed model suggests feasible strategies to improve ER at cryogenic temperatures.