Chemical attack of amorphous carbon

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the chemical attack of amorphous carbon films, specifically exploring methods for their removal or dissociation using chemical solvents versus plasma techniques. Participants share experiences and propose potential solutions while questioning the effectiveness and practicality of various approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the possibility of completely dissociating amorphous carbon in a chemical solvent.
  • Another participant mentions that amorphous carbon is commonly removed using oxygen plasma in nanolithography applications and questions the availability of such equipment.
  • A participant expresses concern about the time required for oxygen plasma removal and suggests exploring chemical etching methods, such as using acids or bases.
  • One suggestion for a chemical method includes using Piranha solution, with a caution about safety requirements.
  • A colleague's input indicates that chemically removing amorphous carbon is nearly impossible, raising questions about the efficiency of oxygen plasma removal and the time involved in the process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the effectiveness of chemical methods for removing amorphous carbon, with some suggesting it is difficult while others propose potential solutions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the efficiency and practicality of different removal methods, highlighting the limitations of chemical solvents and the time required for plasma techniques. Specific conditions and assumptions regarding equipment availability and safety measures are also noted.

physicist888
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Hi everyone,
i wonder if anyone has an idea how to attack chemically an amorphous carbon film. Is it possible to completely dissociate an amorphous carbon in a chemical solvent?
thanks for your help
 
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a-carbon is often used as a hard mask in e.g. nanolithography but as far as I know it is then always removed using oxygen plasma (that is what I always used back when I was actually doing some cleanroom work); do you have access to an asher?
 
Actually it's well known that plasma oxygen attack will remove the a-Carbon. Such expermint take so long, its hard a little, and actually i don't have access to it all the time. that's why i thought that maybe i can etch the a-Carbon chemical attack, by a solvant (acid, base)... don't know
 
Piranha solution might work. A fume hood and personal protective gear (face mask, nitrile gloves, apron) are absolutely required.
 
I asked a colleague who has got a lot of experience with films of a-carbon, he tells me that it is almost impossible to remove them chemically.

Why does it take you so long when using oxygen plasma? As far as I remember it only took a few minutes to completely remove all carbon in plasma.
Of course there is also of pump-down time of the system etc but that shouldn't be very long for an asher, you do not need very low pressures for this.
 

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