Abstract: A new kind of discharging device with a RF cold plasma jet at atmospheric pressure is introduced,and it is utilized to conduct experimental research on silicon-etching.The characteristics of the etching rate depend on the input power,gas flow,and temperature of Si wafers.The maximal etching rate is 390nm/min.The etching effect is characterized by step instrument,optical microscopy,and SEM.Excellent etching homogeneity and satisfactory anisotropy can be obtained during material etching with this device.These results indicate that the silicon-etching operation with this atmospheric pressure device is simple and causes no material surface damage.

Key words: atmospheric pressure, RF, plasma etch, silicon