| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080203322 | Resist collapse prevention using immersed hardening - A method, tool, and machine for hardening a photoresist image while the photoresist image is immersed in a liquid. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20100068884 | METHOD OF ETCHING A LAYER OF A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE USING AN ETCHANT LAYER - A method of semiconductor fabrication including an etching process is provided. The method includes providing a substrate and forming a target layer on the substrate. An etchant layer is formed on the target layer. The etchant layer reacts with the target layer and etches a portion of the target layer. In an embodiment, an atomic layer of the target layer is etched. The etchant layer is then removed from the substrate. The process may be iterated any number of times to remove a desired amount of the target layer. In an embodiment, the method provides for decreased lateral etching. The etchant layer may provide for improved control in forming patterns in thin target layers such as, capping layers or high-k dielectric layers of a gate structure. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100075478 | METHOD FOR PHOTORESIST PATTERN REMOVAL - The present disclosure provides a method for making a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a sacrificial layer on a substrate; forming a patterned resist layer on the sacrificial layer; performing an ion implantation to the substrate; applying a first wet etch solution to remove the patterned photoresist layer; and applying a second wet etch solution to remove the sacrificial layer. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100255427 | CONFORMAL PHOTO-SENSITIVE LAYER AND PROCESS - The present disclosure provides a method for etching a substrate. The method includes forming a patterned photo-sensitive layer on the substrate; applying an etching chemical fluid to the substrate, wherein the patterned photo-sensitive layer includes an adhesion promoter and/or hydrophobic additive; removing the etching chemical fluid; and removing the resist pattern. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100273321 | WET SOLUBLE LITHOGRAPHY - A system to form a wet soluble lithography layer on a semiconductor substrate includes providing the substrate, depositing a first layer comprising a first material on the substrate, and depositing a second layer comprising a second material on the substrate. In an embodiment, the first material comprises a different composition than the second material and one of the first layer and the second layer includes silicon. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100285410 | Method For Manufacturing A Semiconductor Device Using A Modified Photosensitive Layer - The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method includes coating a photoresist on a substrate. The photoresist is exposed to radiation. The radiation exposed photoresist is baked. The radiation exposed and baked photoresist is developed to create an image pattern. The image pattern is treated with a treating material. An ion implantation process is performed to the substrate and the treated image pattern. The image pattern is stripped from the substrate. A carbon atom ratio of the treating material is less than a carbon atom ratio of the photoresist. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20110005010 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOVING PARTICLES IN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING - A system for semiconductor wafer manufacturing, comprises a chamber process path for processing the wafer, and a device operable to remove particles from the wafer by electrostatic and electromagnetic methodologies wherein the device is installed in the chamber process path. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110008968 | METHOD AND MATERIAL FOR FORMING A DOUBLE EXPOSURE LITHOGRAPHY PATTERN - A method of lithography patterning includes forming a first material layer on a substrate; forming a first patterned resist layer including at least one opening therein on the first material layer; forming a second material layer on the first patterned resist layer and the first material layer; forming a second patterned resist layer including at least one opening therein on the second material layer; and etching the first and second material layers uncovered by the first and second patterned resist layers. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110070542 | PHOTORESIST AND PATTERNING PROCESS - A method and material layer for forming a pattern are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate; forming a first material layer over the substrate; forming a second material layer over the first material layer, wherein the second material layer comprises a photoacid generator and a photobase generator; and exposing one or more portions of the second material layer | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110076624 | PHOTORESIST STRIPPING TECHNIQUE - A method for fabricating an integrated circuit device is disclosed. The method may include providing a substrate; forming a first material layer over the substrate; forming a patterned second material layer over the substrate; and removing the patterned second material layer with a fluid comprising a steric hindered organic base and organic solvent. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110097670 | PATTERNING PROCESS AND CHEMICAL AMPLIFIED PHOTORESIST COMPOSITION - A lithography method includes forming a photosensitive layer on a substrate, exposing the photosensitive layer, baking the photosensitive layer, and developing the exposed photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer includes a polymer that turns soluble to a base solution in response to reaction with acid, a plurality of photo-acid generators (PAGs) that decompose to form acid in response to radiation energy, and a plurality of quenchers having boiling points distributed between about 200 C and about 350 C. The quenchers also have molecular weights distributed between 300 Dalton and about 20000 Dalton, and are vertically distributed in the photosensitive layer such that a first concentration C1 at a top portion of the photosensitive layer is greater than a second concentration C2 at a bottom portion of the photosensitive layer. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110159670 | Method and Apparatus of Patterning a Semiconductor Device - Provided is a photoresist that includes a polymer having a backbone that is breakable and a photo acid generator that is free of bonding from the polymer. Further, provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a device substrate. A material layer is formed over the substrate. A photoresist material is formed over the material layer. The photoresist material has a polymer that includes a backbone. The photoresist material is patterned to form a patterned photoresist layer. A fabrication process is then performed to the material layer, wherein the patterned photoresist layer serves as a mask in the fabrication process. Thereafter, the patterned photoresist layer is treated in a manner that breaks the backbone of the polymer. The patterned photoresist layer is then removed. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110183273 | Water Mark Defect Prevention for Immersion Lithography - A photoresist material having a polymer that turns soluble to a base solution in response to reaction with acid. The material includes a photo-acid generator (PAG) that decomposes to form acid in response to radiation energy and a quencher capable of neutralizing acid and having a reduced mobility. The photoresist material can thereby prevent water mark defects from immersion lithography. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110262871 | NOVEL TARC MATERIAL FOR IMMERSION WATERMARK REDUCTION - Various lithography methods are disclosed herein. In an example, a method includes forming a resist layer over a substrate; forming a coating material layer that includes one of an acid and a chelate compound over the resist layer; and exposing the resist layer and the coating material layer to radiation, wherein during the exposing, the one of the acid and the chelate compound in the coating material layer substantially neutralizes any quencher that diffuses into the coating material layer from the resist layer. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20120034558 | PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY MATERIAL FOR IMMERSION LITHOGRAPHY PROCESSES - A photolithography material is provided. The photolithography material is a surface modifying material. The photolithography material includes a polymer (e.g., fluorine polymer) that includes less than approximately 80% hydroxyl groups. In an embodiment, the photolithography material includes less than approximately 80% fluoro-alcohol functional units. Methods of using the photolithography material include as an additive to a photoresist or topcoat layer. The photolithography material may be used in an immersion lithography process. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120090547 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF VAPOR DEPOSITION - Provided is a system for vapor deposition of a coating material onto a semiconductor substrate. The system includes a chemical supply chamber, a supply nozzle operable to dispense vapor, and a heating element operable to provide heat to a substrate in-situ with the dispensing of vapor. The system may further include reaction chamber(s) and/or mixing chamber(s). | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120107742 | METHOD AND PHOTORESIST WITH ZIPPER MECHANISM - The present disclosure provides a resist utilized in a photolithography patterning process. The resist includes a polymeric material having a plurality of zipper molecules, each including a first zipper portion and a second zipper portion, wherein the first and second zipper portions each include a plurality of zipper branches bonded together in pairs and cleavable to one of thermal energy, radiation energy, and chemical reaction. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120107747 | METHOD OF LITHOGRAPHY - A lithography method of manufacturing integrated circuits is disclosed. A photoalignment layer is formed on a substrate. A treatment is performed to reorganize and align the photoalignment molecules. A photoresist layer may be formed on the photoalignment layer in a bi-layer separate coating or with the photoalignment layer in a bound-bind structure. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120108040 | VAPORIZING POLYMER SPRAY DEPOSITION SYSTEM - A vaporizing spray deposition device for forming a thin film includes a processing chamber, a fluid line, and a spray head coupled to the fluid line proximate the processing chamber. The fluid line is configured to transfer a polymer fluid and solvent mixture to the spray head. The spray head is configured to receive the polymer fluid and solvent mixture and to atomize the polymer fluid and solvent mixture to emit it in a substantially vaporized form to be deposited on a surface and thereby forming a thin film of the polymer on the surface after evaporation of the solvent. In an embodiment, the vaporizing spray deposition device may include a heating device to perform a hard bake process on the polymer. In an embodiment, the vaporizing spray deposition device may be configured to provide a post deposition solvent spray trim process to the thin film polymer. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120264057 | PATTERNING PROCESS AND PHOTORESIST WITH A PHOTODEGRADABLE BASE - A resist material and methods using the resist material are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes forming a resist layer over a substrate, wherein the resist layer includes a polymer, a photoacid generator, an electron acceptor, and a photodegradable base; performing an exposure process that exposes portions of the resist layer with radiation, wherein the photodegradable base is depleted in the exposed portions of the resist layer during the exposure process; and performing an developing process on the resist layer. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120329282 | METHOD AND MATERIAL FOR FORMING A DOUBLE EXPOSURE LITHOGRAPHY PATTERN - Various lithography methods are disclosed. An exemplary lithography method includes forming a first patterned silicon-containing organic polymer layer over a substrate by removing a first patterned resist layer, wherein the first patterned silicon-containing organic polymer layer includes a first opening having a first dimension and a second opening having the first dimension, the first opening and the second opening exposing the substrate; forming a second patterned silicon-containing organic polymer layer over the substrate by removing a second patterned resist layer, wherein a portion of the patterned second silicon-containing organic polymer layer combines with a portion of the first patterned silicon-containing organic polymer layer to reduce the first dimension of the second opening to a second dimension; and etching the substrate exposed by the first opening having the first dimension and the second opening having the second dimension. | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130203257 | PATTERNING PROCESS FOR FIN-LIKE FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR (FINFET) DEVICE - A method for patterning a plurality of features in a non-rectangular pattern on an integrated circuit device includes providing a substrate including a surface with a first layer and a second layer, forming a plurality of elongated protrusions in a third layer above the first and second layers, and forming a first patterned layer over the plurality of elongated protrusions. The plurality of elongated protrusions are etched to form a first pattern of the elongated protrusions, the first pattern including at least one inside corner. The method also includes forming a second patterned layer over the first pattern of elongated protrusions and forming a third patterned layer over the first pattern of elongated protrusions. The plurality of elongated protrusions are etched using the second and third patterned layers to form a second pattern of the elongated protrusions, the second pattern including at least one inside corner. | 08-08-2013 |
| 20130210232 | CUT-MASK PATTERNING PROCESS FOR FIN-LIKE FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR (FINFET) DEVICE - A method for patterning a plurality of features in a non-rectangular pattern, such as on an integrated circuit device, includes providing a substrate including a surface with a plurality of elongated protrusions, the elongated protrusions extending in a first direction. A first layer is formed above the surface and above the plurality of elongated protrusions, and patterned with an end cutting mask. The end cutting mask includes two nearly-adjacent patterns with a sub-resolution feature positioned and configured such that when the resulting pattern on the first layer includes the two nearly adjacent patterns and a connection there between. The method further includes cutting ends of the elongated protrusions using the pattern on the first layer. | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130216949 | WATER MARK DEFECT PREVENTION FOR IMMERSION LITHOGRAPHY - A photoresist material having a polymer that turns soluble to a base solution in response to reaction with acid. The material includes a photo-acid generator (PAG) that decomposes to form acid in response to radiation energy and a quencher capable of neutralizing acid and having a reduced mobility. The photoresist material can thereby prevent water mark defects from immersion lithography. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130260311 | PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIAL AND METHOD OF PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY - Methods and materials directed to solubility of photosensitive material in negative tone developer are described. The photosensitive material may include greater than 50% acid labile groups as branches to a polymer chain. In another embodiment, a photosensitive material, after exposure or irradiation, is treated. Exemplary treatments include applying a base to the photosensitive material. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130266899 | METHOD AND COMPOSITION OF A DUAL SENSITIVE RESIST - The present disclosure provides a sensitive material. The sensitive material includes a polymer that turns soluble to a base solution in response to reaction with acid; a plurality of photo-base generators (PBGs) that decompose to form base in response to radiation energy; and a thermal sensitive component that generates acid in response to thermal energy. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130303421 | PHOTORESIST STRIPPING TECHNIQUE - Photoresist stripping solutions are disclosed. An exemplary solution includes an organic solvent and an organic base, wherein the organic base is represented by the formula: | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130323641 | PHOTOSENSTIVE MATERIAL AND METHOD OF LITHOGRAPHY - Photosensitive materials and method of forming a pattern that include providing a composition of a component of a photosensitive material that is operable to float to a top region of a layer formed from the photosensitive material. In an example, a photosensitive layer includes a first component having a fluorine atom (e.g., alkyl fluoride group). After forming the photosensitive layer, the first component floats to a top surface of the photosensitive layer. Thereafter, the photosensitive layer is patterned. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20140002822 | OVERLAY MARK AND METHOD OF MEASURING THE SAME | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140017615 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RESIST COATING AND DEVELOPING - An apparatus includes a chuck, a first drain cup and second drain cup with two separately drain lines connected to each drain cup. The second drain cup is integrated with the first drain cup and located on top of the first drain cup. The different based chemical wastes can be collected into the separated drain cups and furthermore into the different drain lines and waste tanks. Accordingly, different based photo resists and developers can be used at the same apparatus by adjusting the chuck position to save the coating and develop tool and clean room space and furthermore the production cost. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140017616 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DEVELOPING PROCESS - An apparatus includes at least two tanks, at least two pumps, at least one nozzle, and a chuck. The apparatus provides multiple developers with different polarities during a developing process to target portions of a latent resist profile having different polarities, and thus different solubility. This apparatus also allows a mixture of two developers to be used for the resist film developing. A polarity of the mixture is adjustable by controlling a ratio of one pump flow rate to another pump flow rate and further controlling the resist pattern profile. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140080065 | METHOD OF LITHOGRAPHY - A lithography method of manufacturing integrated circuits is disclosed. A combination photoalignment-photoresist layer is formed on a substrate. A treatment is performed on the combination photoalignment-photoresist layer. The combination photoalignment-photoresist layer is exposed to a predetermined pattern. The combination photoalignment-photoresist layer is developed to form a pattern and expose a portion of the substrate. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140134538 | Patterning Process and Chemical Amplified Photoresist Composition - A lithography method includes forming a photosensitive layer on a substrate, exposing the photosensitive layer, baking the photosensitive layer., and developing the exposed photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer includes a polymer that turns soluble to a base solution in response to reaction with acid, a plurality of photo-acid generators (PAGs) that decompose to form acid in response to radiation energy, and a plurality of quenchers having boiling points distributed between about 200 C and about. 350 C. The quenchers also have molecular weights distributed between 300 Dalton and about 20000 Dalton, and are vertically distributed in the photosensitive layer such that a first concentration C1 at a top portion of the photosensitive layer is greater than a second concentration C2 at a bottom portion of the photosensitive layer. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140186773 | COATING MATERIAL AND METHOD FOR PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY - Provided is a method including providing a substrate and forming a bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) on the substrate. The BARC includes a first portion overlying a second portion, which has a different composition than the first portion. The different composition may provide a different dissolution property of the BARC in a developer. A photoresist layer is formed on the first portion of the BARC. The photoresist layer is then irradiated and developed. The developing includes using a developer to remove a region of the photoresist layer and a region of the first and second portions of the BARC. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140255851 | Photoresist Defect Reduction System and Method - A system and method for reducing defects in photoresist processing is provided. An embodiment comprises cleaning the photoresist after development using an alkaline environment. The alkaline environment may comprise a neutral solvent and an alkaline developer. The alkaline environment will modify the attraction between residue leftover from development and a surface of the photoresist such that the surfaces repel each other, making the removal of the residue easier. By removing more residue, there will be fewer defects in the photolithographic process. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140263053 | Filter System and Method - A system and method for treating a filter is provided. In an embodiment the filter is treated by pre-rinsing the filter membrane with a buffer solvent. The buffer solvent can be used to reduce or eliminate energy differences between the surface of the filter membrane and the process liquid which is being filtered. The pre-rinse may be performed prior to shipment or, alternatively, may be performed after shipment of the filter to a customer. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140272709 | MIDDLE LAYER COMPOSITION FOR TRILAYER PATTERNING STACK - Methods and materials for making a semiconductor device are described. The method includes forming a middle layer (ML) of a patterning stack (e.g., a tri-layer patterning stack such as a tri-layer resist) and forming a photoresist layer directly on the middle layer. The middle layer includes an additive component having a photo base generator (PBG). The substrate including the photoresist layer and the middle layer is then exposed to a radiation. A covalent bond between the ML and the photoresist layer may be formed. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140272726 | Photo Resist Baking in Lithography Process - A method includes coating a photo resist on a wafer in a first production tool, and performing a pre-exposure baking on the photo resist in a second production tool separate from the first production tool. After the pre-exposure baking, the photo resist is exposed using a lithography mask. After the step of exposing the photo resist, a post-exposure baking is performed on the photo resist. The photo resist is then developed. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140273457 | Anti-Reflective Layer and Method - A system and method for anti-reflective layers is provided. In an embodiment the anti-reflective layer comprises a floating component in order to form a floating region along a top surface of the anti-reflective layer after the anti-reflective layer has dispersed. The floating component may be a floating cross-linking agent, a floating polymer resin, or a floating catalyst. The floating cross-linking agent, the floating polymer resin, or the floating catalyst may comprise a fluorine atom. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140273478 | Reducing Defects in Patterning Processes - A method includes forming a mask layer forming a first photo resist over the mask layer, performing a first patterning step on the first photo resist, and performing a first etching step on the mask layer using the first photo resist as an etching mask. The first photo resist is then removed. The method further includes forming a particle-fixing layer on a top surface and sidewalls of the mask layer, forming a second photo resist over the particle-fixing layer and the mask layer, performing a second patterning step on the second photo resist, and performing a second etching step on the particle-fixing layer and the mask layer using the second photo resist as an etching mask. The particle-fixing layer is etched through. A target layer underlying the mask layer is etched using the mask layer as an etching mask. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140273506 | Unlocking Layer and Method - A system and method for anti-reflective layers is provided. In an embodiment the anti-reflective layer comprises a polymer resin which has repeating units within it. At least one of the repeating units comprises a locked unit which has a cyclic structure and a lock within the unit. After the anti-reflective layer has been applied and baked, irregularities such as voids and step heights differences that have occurred may be handled by unlocking the lock within the locked unit. This unlocking breaks the cyclic structure, allowing the polymer to take up more volume and causing the anti-reflective layer to self-expand, filling the voids and reducing the step-height. The unlocking may be performed by exposure or thermal treatments. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140273521 | PHOTORESIST SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for photoresists is provided. In an embodiment a cross-linking or coupling reagent is included within a photoresist composition. The cross-linking or coupling reagent will react with the polymer resin within the photoresist composition to cross-link or couple the polymers together, resulting in a polymer with a larger molecular weight. This larger molecular weight will cause the dissolution rate of the photoresist to decrease, leading to a better depth of focus for the line. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20150076613 | OVERLAY MARK - An overlay mark comprises a first feature in a first layer. The first feature has a length extending in a first longitudinal direction and a width extending in a second longitudinal direction. The length of the first feature is greater than the width of the first feature. The overlay mark also comprises a second feature in a second layer over the first layer. The second feature has a length extending in the second longitudinal direction and a width extending in the first longitudinal direction. The length of the second feature is greater than the width of the second feature. The overlay mark further comprises a third feature in a third layer over the second layer. The third feature is a box-shaped opening in the third layer. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150086924 | Photoresist System and Method - A system and method for photoresists is provided. In an embodiment a cross-linking or coupling reagent is included within a photoresist composition. The cross-linking or coupling reagent will react with the polymer resin within the photoresist composition to cross-link or couple the polymers together, resulting in a polymer with a larger molecular weight. This larger molecular weight will cause the dissolution rate of the photoresist to decrease, leading to a better depth of focus for the line. | 03-26-2015 |
