A new etching technology, termed aerosol jet etching (AJE), has been successfully demonstrated and investigated to determine its suitability for microelectronics applications. This technology combines the excellent selectivity of wet chemical etching, the anisotropy of dry etching techniques, and low chemical usage. Experimental results and theoretical interpretations are given for patterned hydrofluoric acid etching of silicon dioxide layers on silicon. The effects of various operating parameters on etch rate, etched surface morphology, side wall profile, and anisotropy are described. These results are used to propose optimum operating conditions for AJE. Also, some unusual surface structures formed under certain conditions during AJE are-described. © 1990 Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc.