A method for etching a bevel edge of a substrate is provided. A patterned
photoresist mask is formed over the etch layer. The bevel edge is cleaned
comprising providing a cleaning gas comprising at least one of a
CO.sub.2, CO, C.sub.xH.sub.y, H.sub.2, NH.sub.3, C.sub.xH.sub.yF.sub.z
and a combination thereof, forming a cleaning plasma from the cleaning
gas, and exposing the bevel edge to the cleaning plasma. Features are
etched into the etch layer through the photoresist features and the
photoresist mask is removed.