IODINE-CONTAINING COMPOUNDS FOR ETCHING SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURES

A method for etching silicon-containing films is disclosed. The method includes the steps of introducing a vapor of an iodine-containing etching compound into a reaction chamber containing a silicon-containing film on a substrate, wherein the iodine-containing etching compound has the formula CaHxFyIz, wherein a=1-3, x=0-6, y=1-7, z=1-2, x+y+z=4 when a=1, x+y+z=4 or 6 when a=2, and x+y+z=6 or 8 when a=3; introducing an inert gas into the reaction chamber; and activating a plasma to produce an activated iodine-containing etching compound capable of etching the silicon-containing film from the substrate.