--Thank you Jie, but I need undercutting more than 10µm :( --And thanks again, Ed, I did have an SEM pics of sample no.1, but I could not see clearly whether the polymer is removed and then the structures got stuck into the substrate, or the polymer is not removed at all. I will try using NMP and other metal as well for the devices. The processes I had are (as u wrote): 1. Spin polymer 2. Deposit SiNx/SiOx 3. Deposit Al 4. Photomask pattern. 5. Etch Al (wet) 6. Etch SiNx/SiOx 7. Strip photoresist (wet first, then plasma) 8. Oxygen plasma undercut About your old-patent, do you mind if I take a look at that´stupid´process? (no idea why u called it like that though) regards, Onny > From: esebesta@tx.rr.com > To: mems-talk@memsnet.org > Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:24:20 -0600 > Subject: [mems-talk] hard ashing polymer (if Al deposited): possible isotropic etch by ICP? > > Dear Onny, > > The Al is over the SiNx so it can't be leaving a residue on > the polymer and so it shouldn't have an effect. Though if you want to > try a different metal, give it a try. It would likely give some insight > whether the test is successful or not. I patented a stupid process years > ago with Al over polyimide and got it to life off quite easily in an old > Tegal etcher. > > You say, "But the cantilevers in sample no. 1 seemed stuck to the > substrate." I would SEM them and see what is actually happening. It > might be that the Al/SiNx ribbon is flexing downward or falling > downward. Or doing polymer removal the stip is curling down at the > edges. (rather fanciful speculation I know.) A SEM could be very > informative. > > Again, try NMP it will clean off easily resist burnt on hot plates, > labels, attack clean room gloves and most everything. > > I am assuming your process is: > > 1. Spin polymer > 2. Deposit SiNx > 3. Deposit Al > 4. Photomask pattern. > 5. Etch Al (Plasma or wet?) > 6. Etch SiNx > 7. Strip photoresist? (wet or plasma?) > 8. Oxygen plasma undercut. > > Ed