Magnetized inductively coupled plasma etching of GaN in $Cl_2/BCl_3$ plasmas

In this study, $Cl_2/BCI_3$ magnetized inductively coupled plasmas (MICP) were used to etch GaN and the effects of magnetic confinements of inductively coupled plasmas on the GaN etch characteristics were investigated as a function of $Cl_2/BCI_3$. Also, the effects of Kr addition to the magnetized $Cl_2/BCI_3$ plasmas on the GaN etch rates were investigated. The characteristics of the plasmas were estimated using a Langmuir probe and quadrupole ma~s spectrometry (QMS). Etched GaN profiles were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The small addition of $Cl_2/BCI_3$ (10-20%) in $Cl_2$ increased GaN etch rates for both with and without the magnetic confinements. The application of magnetic confinements to the $Cl_2/BCI_3$ inductively coupled plasmas (ICP) increased GaN etch rates and changed the $Cl_2/BCI_3$ gas composition of the peak GaN etch rate from 10% $BCI_3$ to 20% $BCI_3$. It also increased the etch selectivity over photoresist, while slightly reducing the selectivity over $Si0_2$. The application of the magnetic field significantly increased positive $BCI_2{\;}^+$ measured by QMS and total ion saturation current measured by the Langmuir probe. Other species such as CI, BCI, and CI+ were increased while species such as $BCl_2$ and $BCI_3$ were decreased with the application of the magnetic field. Therefore, it appears that the increase of GaN etch rate in our experiment is related to the increased dissociative ionization of $BCI_3$ by the application of the magnetic field. The addition of 10% Kr in an optimized $Cl_2/BCI_3$ condition (80% $Cl_2/$ 20% $BCI_3$) with the magnets increased the GaN etch rate about 60%. More anisotropic GaN etch profile was obtained with the application of the magnetic field and a vertical GaN etch profile could be obtained with the addition of 10% Kr in an optimized $Cl_2/BCI_3$ condition with the magnets.