Low-rate electrochemical etch of thin film metals and alloys

Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for low-rate electrochemical (wet) etch that use a net cathodic current or potential. In particular, some embodiments achieve controlled etch rates of less than 0.1 nm/s by applying a small net cathodic current to a substrate as the su...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors MEDINA JOSE A, JIANG TIFFANY YUN WEN, JIANG MING
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 03.09.2013
Subjects
APPARATUS THEREFOR
CHEMISTRY
ELECTROFORMING
ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES
METALLURGY
PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTIONOF COATINGS
PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC REMOVAL OF MATERIALS FROMOBJECTS
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Summary:Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for low-rate electrochemical (wet) etch that use a net cathodic current or potential. In particular, some embodiments achieve controlled etch rates of less than 0.1 nm/s by applying a small net cathodic current to a substrate as the substrate is submerged in an aqueous electrolyte. Depending on the embodiment, the aqueous electrolyte utilized may comprise the same type of cations as the material being etched from the substrate. Some embodiments are useful in etching thin film metals and alloys and fabrication of magnetic head transducer wafers.
Bibliography:Application Number: US201113221726