Si DRIE (Deep Reactive Ion Etching) for MEMS and TSV

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The Bosch Process

Samco was the first Japanese semiconductor process equipment manufacturer to offer Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE or Deep RIE) systems using the Bosch Process for MEMS and TSV fabrication.

The Bosch Process is a high-aspect ratio etching technology, which repeats the cycle of isotropic etching followed by protection film deposition. The SF6 plasma cycle etches silicon, and the C4F8 plasma cycle creates a protection layer. Combining this process technique with our latest system technology has produced industry leading results for both research and manufacturing customers.

  • Bosch DRIE 1
  • Bosch Etch 2
  • Bosch Etch 3
  • Bosch DRIE 4
  • Bosch DRIE 5
  • Bosch Etch 6
  • Bosch Etch 7
  • Bosch Etch 8
  • Bosch Etch 9
  • Bosch Etch 10
  • Bosch Etch 11

 Samco’s Process Capabilities

Smooth Sidewalls Process

100nm Scallop Size
Scallops are formed during the switch from etch to deposition cycles of the silicon Bosch Process. Slow-speed gas switching can result in large scallops and rough sidewalls, and they deteriorate device performance. Samco has developed a smooth sidewall process using 0.1 second high-speed gas switching so that the scallop size is controlled to less than 5 nm while still retaining an etch rate of 2 μm/min. This process is applicable to Cu metallization of Through Silicon Via (TSV) and nanoimprint mold fabrication.
Bosch smooth sidewalls

Ultra Deep Tapered Etching

0µm Deep
0Aspect Ratio
0Selectivity (Si/PR)
One of the challenges in deep silicon etching is reliable profile control. Bowing and side-etch caused by protection film break are typical failure in Si deep hole etching.
This 400 µm deep tapered profile (ø 15 µm) was fabricated with process optimization. The profile shows aspect ratio of 27, and tilt is controlled within 90 ° +/- 0.3 ° .

Deep Tapered Etch Profile by the Bosch Process

High Etch Rate

0µm/min
An etch rate of 55 µm/min is achieved using an efficient ICP RF power source and improved pumping dynamics.
The pattern width is 50 µm.

DRIE High Etch Rate

Tilt Free Process

0deg Vertical Profile
In the Bosch process, at the edge of a wafer, the etch profile can become “tilted”. Precise tilt control is critical in some applications such as TSV fabrication. A tilt angle of just 1° could result in the misalignment of a 200 μm thick TSV by as much as 2 μm. Samco has developed tilt-free processes for both ø6″ and 8”wafers.

Tilt Free DRIE Process

High Aspect Ratio

0Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio of 40 is achieved.
(pattern width: 2.5µm, etch depth: 100 µm)
In this process, the scallop size is controlled to less than 100 nm.

DRIE High Aspect Ratio

Notch Free Silicon On Insulator (SOI) Etching

Insulating layers of SOI substrates are widely used for a silicon etch stop
in MEMS device fabrication.
The standard Bosch Process causes undesirable notching at the silicon/insulation interface due to electrical charging. Samco has developed a unique notch-free SOI etching process that maintains the etch selectivity by using superimposed Radio Frequency (RF) power.
SOI Etch

 The Value of Samco’s Processes


Advantage of SAMCO process solutionsBreaking the challenges in device fabrication

Samco’s DRIE processes have achieved the most challenging process goals of our customers.


Advantage of SAMCO process solutionsThroughput enhancement with repeatable process

Samco’s process repeatability shows significant benefits for production in which quality & reliability management is critical.


Advantage of SAMCO process solutionsEasily scalable from R&D to high-volume production

Samco offers multiple DRIE systems depending on the customers’ requirements.

 Samco DRIE Systems

 Samco provides multiple DRIE systems for both R&D and production.

 RIE-400iPB

processing up to ø4”wafers

SAMCO RIE-400iPB

 RIE-800iPB

processing up to ø8”wafers

SAMCO RIE-800iPB

 RIE-800iPBC

processing up to ø8”wafers

SAMCO RIE-800iPBC

Testimonial

 Samco DRIE systems are used at state-of-the-art facilities for R&D and production including

Princeton University
Kyoto University
Contact SAMCO for more product information
Any questions? Contact us for more detail.
Contact SAMCO for more product information
Any questions? Contact us for more detail.
Contact SAMCO for more product information
Any questions? Contact us for more detail.
Contact SAMCO for more product information
Contact us for more detail.