Removal of Metallic Cobalt Layers by Reactive Cold Plasma

Recently, plasma surface-cleaning or surface-etching techniques have been focused in respect of the decontamination of spent or used nuclear parts and equipment. In this study the removal rate of metallic cobalt surface is experimentally investigated via its surface etching rate with a $CF_4-o_2$mixed gas plasma. Experimental results reveal that a mixed etchant gas with about 80% $CF_4$-20% $O_2$ (molar) gives the highest reaction rate and the rate reaches 0.06 ${\mu}m$/min at $380^{\circ}C$ and ion-assisted etching dramatically enhances the surface reaction rate. With a negative 300 V DC bias voltage applied to the substrate, the surface reaction initiation temperature lowers and the rate increases about 20 times at $350^{\circ}C$ and up to 0.43 ${\mu}m$/min at $380^{\circ}C$, respectively. Surface morphology analysis confirms the etching rate measurements. Auger spectrum analysis clearly shows the adsorption of fluorine atoms on the reacted surface. From the current experimental findings and the results discussed in previous studies, mechanistic understanding of the surface reaction, fluorination and/or fluoro-carbonylation reaction, is provided.