Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
An understanding of etching reactions in a plasma environment requires a knowledge of: (1) the types of gas phase particles which react at the surface, (2) the etch products formed, and (3) the processes which lead from reactants to products. Experimental data relavant to these topics are reviewed in this paper. A conceptual framework for understanding the etching reaction is reviewed and it is shown that the experimental data presently available is consistent with this framework. The influence of ion bombardment on etching reactions is extensively discussed.