Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
High rate of etching of silicon was obtained by non conventional cathodic polarization in alkaline solutions. When the process was carried out at potentials more negative than −10 V it caused electropolishing of the etched surface. Shifting the potential in the cathodic direction increases the etch-rate parabolically and enhances the effect of polishing. The etch-rate increased by more than two orders of magnitude over the potential range from −10 to −40 V, and reached the value of about 250 micron/hour at 60 °C. Additionally, the etch-rate of n-Si was found to be markedly enhanced by illumination.