What is Anisotropic etching?

Etching that proceeds only in a particular direction (mainly vertically). Needed to pattern fine features.

Cross-sections of isotropic and anisotropic etching Isotropic etching Also etches sideways, under the mask Anisotropic etching Etches only downward; pattern is exact Mask Etched film Underlayer

Field: Etching

Anisotropic etching in the explanations

Questions that mention Anisotropic etching (4)

  1. Which correctly describes anisotropic etching?
  2. Which is a characteristic of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching equipment?
  3. In plasma tools such as capacitively coupled ones, what is the phenomenon called in which the wafer-side electrode naturally acquires a negative DC potential that accelerates ions toward the wafer?
  4. Which metric expresses how far the sidewall of an etched hole or trench tilts from vertical?

Related terms

Plasma ICP (inductively coupled plasma) Radical Self-bias ALE (atomic layer etching) Antenna effect ARDE (aspect-ratio-dependent etching) Ashing Aspect ratio Buffered hydrofluoric acid (BHF)

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