| abstract |
A gate spacer oxide material removal composition and process for at least partial removal of gate spacer oxide material from a microelectronic device having same thereon. The anhydrous removal composition includes at least one organic solvent, at least one chelating agent, a base fluoride:acid fluoride component, and optionally at least one passivator. The composition achieves the selective removal of gate spacer oxide material relative to polysilicon and silicon nitride from the vicinity of the gate electrode on the surface of the microelectronic device with minimal etching of metal silicide interconnect material species employed in the gate electrode architecture. |