Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090001045 | METHODS OF PATTERNING SELF-ASSEMBLY NANO-STRUCTURE AND FORMING POROUS DIELECTRIC - Methods of patterning a self-assembly nano-structure and forming a porous dielectric are disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes providing a hardmask over an underlying layer; predefining an area with a photoresist on the hardmask that is to be protected during the patterning; forming a layer of the copolymer over the hardmask and the photoresist; forming the self-assembly nano-structure from the copolymer; and etching to pattern the self-assembly nano-structure. | 01-01-2009 |
20090130590 | PHOTORESIST COMPOSITIONS AND PROCESS FOR MULTIPLE EXPOSURES WITH MULTIPLE LAYER PHOTORESIST SYSTEMS - A photoresist composition and methods using the photoresist composition in multiple exposure/multiple layer processes. The photoresist composition includes a polymer comprising repeat units having a hydroxyl moiety; a photoacid generator; and a solvent. The polymer when formed on a substrate is substantially insoluble to the solvent after heating to a temperature of about 150° C. or greater. One method includes forming a first photoresist layer on a substrate, patternwise exposing the first photoresist layer, forming a second non photoresist layer on the substrate and patterned first photoresist layer. Another method includes forming a first photoresist layer on a substrate, patternwise exposing the first photoresist layer, forming a second photoresist layer on the substrate and patterned first photoresist layer and patternwise exposing the second photoresist layer. | 05-21-2009 |
20090142704 | METHOD FOR REDUCING SIDE LOBE PRINTING USING A BARRIER LAYER - A method suitable for reducing side lobe printing in a photolithography process is enabled by the use of a barrier layer on top of a photoresist on a substrate. The barrier layer is absorbing at the imaging wavelength of the underlying photoresist and thus blocks the light from reaching the photoresist. A first exposure followed by a development in an aqueous base solution selectively removes a portion of the barrier layer to reveal a section of the underlying photoresist layer. At least a portion of the revealed section of the photoresist layer is then exposed and developed to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The barrier layer can also be bleachable upon exposure and bake in the present invention. | 06-04-2009 |
20090155715 | PHOTORESIST COMPOSITIONS AND METHOD FOR MULTIPLE EXPOSURES WITH MULTIPLE LAYER RESIST SYSTEMS - A method and a resist composition. The resist composition includes a polymer having repeating units having a lactone moiety, a thermal base generator capable of generating a base and a photosensitive acid generator. The polymer has the properties of being substantially soluble in a first solvent and becoming substantially insoluble after heating the polymer. The method includes forming a film of a photoresist including a polymer, a thermal base generator capable of releasing a base, a photosensitive acid generator, and a solvent. The film is patternwise imaged. The imaging includes exposing the film to radiation, resulting in producing an acid catalyst. The film is developed in an aqueous base, resulting in removing base-soluble regions and forming a patterned layer. The patterned layer is baked above the temperature, resulting in the thermal base generator releasing a base within the patterned layer and the patterned layer becoming insoluble in the solvent. | 06-18-2009 |
20090155718 | PHOTORESIST COMPOSITIONS AND METHOD FOR MULTIPLE EXPOSURES WITH MULTIPLE LAYER RESIST SYSTEMS - A method and a resist composition. The resist composition includes a polymer having repeating units having a lactone moiety, a thermal base generator capable of generating a base and a photosensitive acid generator. The polymer has the properties of being substantially soluble in a first solvent and becoming substantially insoluble after heating the polymer. The method includes forming a film of a photoresist including a polymer, a thermal base generator capable of releasing a base, a photosensitive acid generator, and a solvent. The film is patternwise imaged. The imaging includes exposing the film to radiation, resulting in producing an acid catalyst. The film is developed in an aqueous base, resulting in removing base-soluble regions and forming a patterned layer. The patterned layer is baked above the temperature, resulting in the thermal base generator releasing a base within the patterned layer and the patterned layer becoming insoluble in the solvent. | 06-18-2009 |
20090176174 | MULTIPLE EXPOSURE PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY METHODS AND PHOTORESIST COMPOSTIONS - A method and a composition. The composition includes a polymer and a photosensitive acid generator capable of generating a first amount of acid upon exposure to a first dose of radiation and a second amount of acid upon exposure to a second dose of radiation. The second amount of acid is greater than said first amount of acid. The second dose is greater than the first dose. The composition includes a photosensitive base generator capable of generating a first amount of base upon exposure to the first dose and a second amount of base upon exposure to the second dose, where the first amount of base is greater than the first amount of acid and the second amount of base is less than the second amount of acid. A method for exposing to radiation a film of a photoresist on a substrate is included. | 07-09-2009 |
20090208865 | PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY FOCUS IMPROVEMENT BY REDUCTION OF AUTOFOCUS RADIATION TRANSMISSION INTO SUBSTRATE - An anti-reflective coating material, a microelectronic structure that includes an anti-reflective coating layer formed from the anti-reflective coating material and a related method for exposing a resist layer located over a substrate while using the anti-reflective coating layer provide for attenuation of secondary reflected vertical alignment beam radiation when aligning the substrate including the resist layer located thereover. Such enhanced vertical alignment provides for improved dimensional integrity of a patterned resist layer formed from the resist layer, as well as additional target layers that may be fabricated while using the resist layer as a mask. | 08-20-2009 |
20100009298 | FORMING SUB-LITHOGRAPHIC PATTERNS USING DOUBLE EXPOSURE - Methods are presented of forming sub-lithographic patterns using double exposure. One method may include providing a photoresist layer over a layer to be patterned; exposing the photoresist layer using a first mask having a first opening; developing the photoresist layer to transfer the first opening into the photoresist layer, forming a boundary in the photoresist layer about the transferred first opening that is hardened; exposing the photoresist layer using a second mask having a second opening that overlaps the boundary; and developing the photoresist layer to transfer the second opening into the photoresist layer, leaving the boundary, wherein the boundary has a sub-lithographic dimension. | 01-14-2010 |
20100209853 | METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY ADJUSTING LOCAL RESIST PATTERN DIMENSION WITH CHEMICAL TREATMENT - A method forms a first patterned mask (comprising rectangular features and/or rounded openings) on a planar surface and forms a second patterned mask on the first patterned mask and the planar surface. The second patterned mask covers protected portions of the first patterned mask and the second patterned mask reveals exposed portions of the first patterned mask. The method treats the exposed portions of the first patterned mask with a chemical treatment that reduces the size of the exposed portions to create an altered first patterned mask. | 08-19-2010 |
20100248147 | PHOTORESIST COMPOSITIONS AND PROCESS FOR MULTIPLE EXPOSURES WITH MULTIPLE LAYER PHOTORESIST SYSTEMS - A photoresist composition and methods using the photoresist composition in multiple exposure/multiple layer processes. The photoresist composition includes a polymer comprising repeat units having a hydroxyl moiety; a photoacid generator; and a solvent. The polymer when formed on a substrate is substantially insoluble to the solvent after heating to a temperature of about 150° C. or greater. One method includes forming a first photoresist layer on a substrate, patternwise exposing the first photoresist layer, forming a second non photoresist layer on the substrate and patterned first photoresist layer. Another method includes forming a first photoresist layer on a substrate, patternwise exposing the first photoresist layer, forming a second photoresist layer on the substrate and patterned first photoresist layer and patternwise exposing the second photoresist layer. | 09-30-2010 |
20100255428 | METHOD TO MITIGATE RESIST PATTERN CRITICAL DIMENSION VARIATION IN A DOUBLE-EXPOSURE PROCESS - A method to mitigate resist pattern critical dimension (CD) variation in a double-exposure process generally includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate; exposing the photoresist layer to a first radiation; developing the photoresist layer to form a first pattern in the photoresist layer; forming a topcoat layer over the photoresist layer; exposing the topcoat layer and the photoresist layer to a second radiation; removing the topcoat layer; and developing the photoresist layer to form a second pattern in the photoresist layer. | 10-07-2010 |
20110204523 | METHOD OF FABRICATING DUAL DAMASCENE STRUCTURES USING A MULTILEVEL MULTIPLE EXPOSURE PATTERNING SCHEME - A method for fabricating a dual damascene structure includes providing a first photoresist layer coated on an underlying dielectric stack, exposing said first photoresist layer to a first predetermined pattern of light, coating a second photoresist layer onto the pre-exposed first photoresist layer, exposing said second photoresist layer to a second predetermined pattern of light, optionally post-exposure baking the multi-tiered photoresist layers and developing said photoresist layers to form a multi-tiered dual damascene structure in the photoresist layers. | 08-25-2011 |
20110256486 | PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY FOCUS IMPROVEMENT BY REDUCTION OF AUTOFOCUS RADIATION TRANSMISSION INTO SUBSTRATE - An anti-reflective coating material, a microelectronic structure that includes an anti-reflective coating layer formed from the anti-reflective coating material and a related method for exposing a resist layer located over a substrate while using the anti-reflective coating layer provide for attenuation of secondary reflected vertical alignment beam radiation when aligning the substrate including the resist layer located thereover. Such enhanced vertical alignment provides for improved dimensional integrity of a patterned resist layer formed from the resist layer, as well as additional target layers that may be fabricated while using the resist layer as a mask. | 10-20-2011 |
20120070787 | PHOTORESIST COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR SHRINKING A PHOTORESIST CRITICAL DIMENSION - A method for reducing a photoresist critical dimension, the method comprising depositing a photoresist film on a substrate, wherein the photoresist film includes a thermal base generator; patterning the photoresist film to form a first patterned film possessing a first critical dimension; depositing a crosslinkable film over the first patterned film; heat-activating the first patterned film, either before or after depositing the crosslinkable film, to release a base in the first patterned film and cause crosslinking in the crosslinkable film in contact with the first patterned film; and developing the crosslinkable film to remove non-crosslinked soluble portions therein to form a second patterned film possessing a reduced critical dimension compared to the first critical dimension. | 03-22-2012 |
20120122031 | PHOTORESIST COMPOSITION FOR NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND PATTERN FORMING METHOD USING THEREOF - The present invention relates to a photoresist composition capable of negative development and a pattern forming method using the photoresist composition. The photoresist composition includes an imaging polymer and a radiation sensitive acid generator. The imaging polymer includes a first monomeric unit having a pendant acid labile moiety and a second monomeric unit containing a reactive ether moiety, an isocyanide moiety or an isocyanate moiety. The patterning forming method utilizes an organic solvent developer to selectively remove unexposed regions of a photoresist layer of the photoresist composition to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The photoresist composition and the pattern forming method are especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography. | 05-17-2012 |
20120178027 | MULTIPLE EXPOSURE PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY METHODS - A method. The method forms a film of photoresist composition on a substrate and exposes a first and second region of the film to radiation through a first and second mask having a first and second image pattern, respectively. The photoresist composition includes a polymer including labile group(s), base soluble group(s), a photosensitive acid generator, and a photosensitive base generator. The photosensitive acid generator generates first and second amounts of acid upon exposure to first and second doses of radiation, respectively. The second amount of acid exceeds the first amount of acid. The second dose of radiation exceeds the first dose of radiation. The photosensitive base generator generates a first and second amount of base upon exposure to the first and second dose of radiation, respectively. The first amount of base exceeds the first amount of acid. The second amount of acid exceeds the second amount of base. | 07-12-2012 |
20120214099 | PHOTORESIST COMPOSITIONS - A composition. The composition includes a polymer and a photosensitive acid generator capable of generating a first amount of acid upon exposure to a first dose of radiation and a second amount of acid upon exposure to a second dose of radiation. The second amount of acid is greater than the first amount of acid. The second dose is greater than the first dose. The composition includes a photosensitive base generator capable of generating a first amount of base upon exposure to the first dose and a second amount of base upon exposure to the second dose, where the first amount of base is greater than the first amount of acid and the second amount of base is less than the second amount of acid. The photosensitive base generator may include benzoin carbamates, O-carbamoylhydroxylamines, O-carbamoyloximes, aromatic sulfonamides, α-lactones, N-(2-Arylethenyl)amides, azides, amides, oximines, quaternary ammonium salts, or amineimides. | 08-23-2012 |
20130026639 | Method of fabricating dual damascene structures using a multilevel multiple exposure patterning scheme - A method for fabricating a dual damascene structure includes providing a first photoresist layer coated on an underlying dielectric stack, exposing said first photoresist layer to a first predetermined pattern of light, coating a second photoresist layer onto the pre-exposed first photoresist layer, exposing said second photoresist layer to a second predetermined pattern of light, optionally post-exposure baking the multi-tiered photoresist layers and developing said photoresist layers to form a multi-tiered dual damascene structure in the photoresist layers. | 01-31-2013 |
20130040238 | DEVELOPABLE BOTTOM ANTIREFLECTIVE COATING COMPOSITIONS FOR NEGATIVE RESISTS - A negative developable bottom antireflective coating (NDBARC) material includes a polymer containing an aliphatic alcohol moiety, an aromatic moiety, and a carboxylic acid moiety. The NDBARC composition is insoluble in a typical resist solvent such as propylene glycol methyl ether acetate (PGMEA) after coating and baking. The NDBARC material also includes a photoacid generator, and optionally a crosslinking compound. In the NDBARC material, the carboxylic acid provides the developer solubility, while the alcohol alone, the carboxylic acid alone, or their combination provides the PGMEA resistance. The NDBARC material has resistance to the resist solvent, and thus, intermixing does not occur between NDBARC and resist during resist coating over NDBARC. After exposure and bake, the lithographically exposed portions of both the negative photoresist and the NDBARC layer become insoluble in developer due to the chemically amplified crosslinking of the polymers in negative resist and NDBARC layer in the lithographically exposed portions. | 02-14-2013 |
20130122421 | HYBRID PHOTORESIST COMPOSITION AND PATTERN FORMING METHOD USING THEREOF - The present invention relates to a hybrid photoresist composition for improved resolution and a pattern forming method using the photoresist composition. The photoresist composition includes a radiation sensitive acid generator, a crosslinking agent and a polymer having a hydrophobic monomer unit and a hydrophilic monomer unit containing a hydroxyl group. At least some of the hydroxyl groups are protected with an acid labile moiety having a low activation energy. The photoresist is capable of producing a hybrid response to a single exposure. The patterning forming method utilizes the hybrid response to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The photoresist composition and the pattern forming method of the present invention are useful for printing small features with precise image control, particularly spaces of small dimensions. | 05-16-2013 |
20130164680 | PHOTORESIST COMPOSITION FOR NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND PATTERN FORMING METHOD USING THEREOF - The present invention relates to a photoresist composition capable of negative development and a pattern forming method using the photoresist composition. The photoresist composition includes an imaging polymer and a radiation sensitive acid generator. The imaging polymer includes a first monomeric unit having a pendant acid labile moiety and a second monomeric unit containing a reactive ether moiety, an isocyanide moiety or an isocyanate moiety. The patterning forming method utilizes an organic solvent developer to selectively remove unexposed regions of a photoresist layer of the photoresist composition to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The photoresist composition and the pattern forming method are especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography. | 06-27-2013 |
20130288178 | PHOTORESIST COMPOSITION CONTAINING A PROTECTED HYDROXYL GROUP FOR NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND PATTERN FORMING METHOD USING THEREOF - The present invention relates to a photoresist composition capable of negative development and a pattern forming method using the photoresist composition. The photoresist composition includes an imaging polymer, a crosslinking agent and a radiation sensitive acid generator. The imaging polymer includes a monomeric unit having an acid-labile moiety-substituted hydroxyl group. The patterning forming method utilizes an organic solvent developer to selectively remove an unexposed region of a photoresist layer of the photoresist composition to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The photoresist composition and the pattern forming method are especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography. | 10-31-2013 |
20140004712 | DEVELOPABLE BOTTOM ANTIREFLECTIVE COATING COMPOSITION AND PATTERN FORMING METHOD USING THEREOF | 01-02-2014 |
20140024191 | METHOD OF MULTIPLE PATTERNING TO FORM SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A method of forming different structures of a semiconductor device using a single mask and a hybrid photoresist. The method includes: applying a first photoresist layer on a semiconductor substrate; patterning the first photoresist layer using a photomask to form a first patterned photoresist layer; using the first patterned photoresist layer to form a first structure of a semiconductor device; removing the first patterned photoresist layer; applying a second photoresist layer on the semiconductor substrate; patterning the second photoresist layer using the photomask to form a second patterned photoresist layer; using the second patterned photoresist layer to form a second structure of a semiconductor device; removing the second patterned photoresist layer; and wherein either the first or the second photoresist layer is a hybrid photoresist layer comprising a hybrid photoresist. | 01-23-2014 |
20140072915 | PHOTORESIST COMPOSITION CONTAINING A PROTECTED HYDROXYL GROUP FOR NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND PATTERN FORMING METHOD USING THEREOF - The present invention relates to a photoresist composition capable of negative development and a pattern forming method using the photoresist composition. The photoresist composition includes an imaging polymer, a crosslinking agent and a radiation sensitive acid generator. The imaging polymer includes a monomeric unit having an acid-labile moiety-substituted hydroxyl group. The patterning forming method utilizes an organic solvent developer to selectively remove an unexposed region of a photoresist layer of the photoresist composition to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The photoresist composition and the pattern forming method are especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography. | 03-13-2014 |
20140072916 | HYBRID PHOTORESIST COMPOSITION AND PATTERN FORMING METHOD USING THEREOF - The present invention relates to a hybrid photoresist composition for improved resolution and a pattern forming method using the photoresist composition. The photoresist composition includes a radiation sensitive acid generator, a crosslinking agent and a polymer having a hydrophobic monomer unit and a hydrophilic monomer unit containing a hydroxyl group. At least some of the hydroxyl groups are protected with an acid labile moiety having a low activation energy. The photoresist is capable of producing a hybrid response to a single exposure. The patterning forming method utilizes the hybrid response to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The photoresist composition and the pattern forming method of the present invention are useful for printing small features with precise image control, particularly spaces of small dimensions. | 03-13-2014 |
20140349237 | EXPOSURE PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY METHODS - A method that forms a film of photoresist composition on a substrate and exposes a first and second region of the film to radiation through a first and second mask having a first and second image pattern, respectively. The photoresist composition includes a polymer comprising at least one acid labile group, a photosensitive acid generator capable of generating a first amount of acid upon exposure to a first dose of radiation and of generating a second amount of acid upon exposure to a second dose of radiation, and a photosensitive base generator capable of generating a first amount of base upon exposure to the first dose of radiation and of generating a second amount of base upon exposure to the second dose of radiation. The photosensitive acid generator includes (trifluoro-methylsulfonyloxy)-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboximide (MDT), N-hydroxy-naphthalimide dodecane sulfonate (DDSN), or a combination thereof. The photosensitive base generator includes a quaternary ammonium salt. | 11-27-2014 |
20150050601 | DEVELOPABLE BOTTOM ANTIREFLECTIVE COATING COMPOSITION AND PATTERN FORMING METHOD USING THEREOF - The present invention relates to a developable bottom antireflective coating (BARC) composition and a pattern forming method using the BARC composition. The BARC composition includes a first polymer having a first carboxylic acid moiety, a hydroxy-containing alicyclic moiety, and a first chromophore moiety; a second polymer having a second carboxylic acid moiety, a hydroxy-containing acyclic moiety, and a second chromophore moiety; a crosslinking agent; and a radiation sensitive acid generator. The first and second chromophore moieties each absorb light at a wavelength from 100 nm to 400 nm. In the patterning forming method, a photoresist layer is formed over a BARC layer of the BARC composition. After exposure, unexposed regions of the photoresist layer and the BARC layer are selectively removed by a developer to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The BARC composition and the pattern forming method are especially useful for implanting levels. | 02-19-2015 |