The etch selectivity, etch rate of SF6 plasma and CF4 plasma were tested to etch AlTiC substrate with NiCr metal mask.
The highest etch selectivity and AlTiC etch rate that achieved by using CF4 plasma with selectivity (AlTiC (5.67) : NiCr (1)) and etch rate 64.77 nm/min.
The plasma type is the one important factor that impacts the etching rate because it concerns about a number of positive ion species is generated from the plasma which control the etching rate in a physical etching which dominate the system such a NiCr/AlTiC with fluorine-based plasma etching.
CF4 plasma was selected for further experiment to achieve the higher etch selectivity with a lower kinetic energy process regime.