| abstract |
A method of conditioning a nitride surface by treating it with ionized oxygen is disclosed. The nitride surface is placed in a vacuum and treated with the ionized oxygen for a period of time sufficient to condition the nitride for subsequent processing steps. The ionized oxygen treatment is performed substantially at ambient temperature. The conditioning method is included in a process for improving the adhesion characteristics of a photoresist film to a silicon nitride surface. A liquid solution of hexamethyldisilazane is applied to the conditioned nitride surface. Thereafter, a photoresist is applied, exposed through a photographic mask and developed in a known manner for the purpose of forming a photoresist masking film pattern. The photoresist film pattern typically serves as a mask during an etching process in which areas not covered by photoresist are removed by a suitable etching solution. |