We study the room-temperature dry, etching of InP by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) using Cl2/CH4/Ar mixtures. Etches were characterized in terms of anisotropy and surface roughness by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. It is found that the flow ratio between Cl2 and CH4, ICP power, rf chuck power, and table temperature can greatly influence the, etching results. By adjusting, etching parameters,vertical sidewall and smooth surface can be obtained simultaneously, together with a moderate, etch rate and a good select ratio. The root-mean-square surface roughness is measured to be as low as 0.27nm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the best result for InP to date. The, etch rate is 855 nm/min, and the selectivity ratio over SiO2 is estimated to be higher than 15:1. The stoichiometry of the, etched surface has also been investigated by Auger electron spectroscopy. The, etched surface is found to manifest a slight P deficiency, and the ratio between P and In reaches the stoichiometric value within about 0.75nm depth into the surface.