Abstract: A photosensitive resin composition for dry etching including a water-soluble resin, a photopolymerizable monomer, and a photopolymerization initiator, and a method for producing a resist pattern for dry etching. The method includes forming a resin layer with the photosensitive resin composition on a substrate; exposing the resin layer with positional selectivity; and developing the exposed resin layer with water at a temperature less than 50° C., so as to form a resist pattern.

Abstract: A lithography method is provided in accordance with some embodiments. The lithography method includes forming a patterned photoresist on a material layer, applying a first bonding material to a side surface of the patterned photoresist, performing a treatment on the first bonding material to bond the first bonding material to the side surface of the patterned photoresist, wherein the treatment creates a bonding site on the first bonding material configured to bond to a second bonding material, applying the second bonding material to a side surface of the first bonding material, and patterning the material layer by selectively processing a portion of the material layer exposed by the patterned photoresist, the first bonding material, and the second bonding material.

Abstract: A composition for removing photoresist, including an alkyl ammonium fluoride salt in an amount ranging from about 0.5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent, based on a total weight of the composition; an organic sulfonic acid in an amount ranging from about 1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition; and a lactone-based solvent in an amount ranging from about 70 weight percent to about 98.5 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrochemical experimentation with an isolated microstructural region on a surface comprising a metal sample coated with a photoresist, a region of interest, an exposed region of photoresist and unexposed region of photoresist wherein the exposed region is created by light and creating a developed region of unexposed photoresist, and an adhesive strip with a first perforated window over the region of interest and a sealed waterproof container with a second larger perforated window over the first perforated window. A method for isolating microstructural regions for electrochemical experimentation comprising providing a metal sample, identifying regions of interest, coating the metal sample, selecting regions of interest, exposing with light and creating exposed photoresist and unexposed photoresist by laser lithography without a mask, and immersing the metal sample in a developer solution and creating developed regions of unexposed photoresist.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a first photoresist layer over a substrate, over which a protective layer material is deposited to form a protective layer. A second photoresist layer is formed over the protective layer. A first lithography exposure process is performed, through a first mask, to expose the first and second photoresist layers, and to form a bottom latent pattern. A second lithography exposure process is performed, through a second mask, to expose the first and second photoresist layers, and to form a top latent pattern, where the top latent pattern at least partially overlaps the bottom latent pattern. The first and second photoresist layers and the protective layer are developed to form a first main feature and a second main feature from the bottom and top latent patterns respectively, and an opening in the protective layer vertically aligned with the second main feature.

Abstract: Substrate patterning techniques herein protect against overlay misalignment. Techniques include using a combination of relief patterns in which one relief pattern includes openings filled with a particular photoresist and these openings have a width that is insufficient to enable wave propagation of electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths greater than a predetermined threshold wavelength. Accordingly, actinic radiation above a certain wavelength cannot affect the photoresist within these relatively small openings. Photoresist filled within these openings can be removed by specific developers with the openings partially uncovered, which helps ensure features and connections are fabricated as designed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing semiconductor devices. A dummy gate structure is formed on a pattern area defined by an edge area of a substrate. An interlayer insulating layer pattern is formed to cover the pattern area and exposing the edge area of the substrate. A blocking pattern is formed on the interlayer insulating layer pattern such that the edge area of the substrate is covered with the blocking pattern and the pattern area of the substrate is exposed through the blocking pattern. A gate hole in the pattern area of the substrate in correspondence to the dummy gate structure, and a metal gate structure is formed in the gate hole. Accordingly, the edge area of the substrate is protected in the etching process and the deposition process of the replacement gate metal (RGM) process.

Abstract: Techniques herein include systems and methods that provide a spatially-controlled projection of electromagnetic radiation, such as light, onto a substrate as a mechanism of controlling or modulating critical dimensions of various features and structures being micro-fabricated on a substrate. Combining such spatial light projection with photolithographic exposure can achieve significant improvements in critical dimension uniformity across a surface of a substrate. In general, methods herein include patterning processes that identify or receive a critical dimension signature that spatially characterizes critical dimension values that correspond to the substrate. A pattern of electromagnetic radiation is projected onto a patterning film coated on substrate using a digital pixel-based projection system. A conventional photolithographic exposure process is executed subsequent to, or prior to, the pixel-based projection.

Abstract: A resist patterning method according to the present invention includes: a resist layer forming step S101 of forming a resist layer 12 on a substrate 11; an activating step S103 of activating the resist layer by irradiation with an activating energy beam; a decay inhibiting step S105 of inhibiting decay of the activity of the resist layer; a latent pattern image forming step S107 of forming a latent pattern image in the activated resist layer by irradiation with a latent image forming energy beam; and a developing step S110 of developing the resist layer.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a light reflection type lithography mask including: a substrate; and a reflection layer. The reflection layer is formed on the substrate, and has a first pattern and a second pattern as viewed from above. The second pattern is located so as to be closest to one of one side and the other side of the first pattern in a first direction. A reflectivity at a portion corresponding to the first pattern is different from a reflectivity at a portion corresponding to the second pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for producing a carbon nanotube (CNT) whereby, in the local synthesis of CNTs, a high resolution, a low cost, easiness in production and mass production capability can be established at the same time; and a two-dimensionally patterned CNT obtained thereby.

Abstract: A photolithography method and system based on a high step slope are provided. The method includes: S1, manufacturing a sacrificial layer with a high step slope on a substrate; S2, adopting a spin-on PR coating process to cover the sacrificial layer with a photoresist layer to form a photolithographic layer; S3, forming a mask pattern and a compensation pattern on a mask; and S4, performing photolithography processes, by a photolithography machine, on the photolithographic layer. By forming a slope-top compensation pattern and a slope compensation pattern on a mask to perform photolithography on the substrate of a sacrificial layer, a relatively wide compensation pattern is set in a part of the top of the slope with a small thickness, thereby compensating the overexposure at the top of the slope, reducing the error in the photolithographic pattern, and improving the precision of photolithography of the high step slope.

Abstract: A negative pattern is formed by applying a resist composition onto a substrate, exposing the resist film, and developing the exposed resist film in an organic solvent developer. The process further involves coating the negative pattern with a shrink agent solution of a first polymer comprising recurring units capable of forming carboxyl, hydroxyl or lactone ring and a second polymer comprising recurring units capable of forming amino and fluorinated recurring units in an ester and/or ketone solvent, baking the coating, and removing the excessive shrink agent for thereby shrinking the size of spaces in the pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming a photonic device structure comprises forming a photoresist over a photonic material over a substrate. The photoresist is exposed to radiation through a gray-tone mask to form at least one photoexposed region and at least one non-photoexposed region of the photoresist. The at least one photoexposed region of the photoresist or the at least one non-photoexposed region of the photoresist is removed to form photoresist features. The photoresist features and unprotected portions of the photonic material are removed to form photonic features. Other methods of forming a photonic device structure, and a method of forming an electronic device are also described.

Abstract: A 2D material hard mask includes hydrogen, oxygen, and a 2D material layer having a layered crystalline structure. The 2D material layer may be a material layer including one of a carbon structure (for example, a graphene sheet) and a non-carbon structure.

Abstract: A positive tone photoresist etching development agent for a photoresist film containing acid liable groups includes 0.5 to 2% by weight of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), 1 to 20% by weight of an additive having at least two polar functional groups and at least one solvent. The additive has a molecular weight higher than 40, the solvent is water or alcohol, and the agent treated photoresist film retains at least 20% of acid liable groups.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes forming an energy-ray-curable resin layer containing a sensitizer for increasing sensitivity to exposure light, on an underlayer region including a semiconductor substrate, irradiating the energy-ray-curable resin layer with energy rays to form a lower layer film containing the sensitizer, forming a resist film on the lower layer film, diffusing the sensitizer from the lower layer film into the resist film by thermal treatment, irradiating the resist film in which the sensitizer is diffused with exposure light, and developing the resist film irradiated with the exposure light.

Abstract: A method for forming an ultra-low density three-dimensional thin film structure made of a solid thin film, including: radiating ultraviolet rays of different patterns in respective predetermined directions to a liquid photosensitive resin bulk so as to harden a portion of the resin bulk; removing the liquid photosensitive resin which is not hardened so as to form a solid photosensitive resin structure; coating the surface of the solid photosensitive resin structure with a thin film; removing the thin film from the outermost surface of the resin bulk so as to expose the solid photosensitive resin; and removing the solid photosensitive resin structure.

Abstract: There is provided a pattern formation method comprising: a step (i) for forming a first negative type pattern by performing the specific steps on a substrate; a step (iii) for forming a lower layer by embedding the specific resin composition (2) which contains a second resin in a region of the substrate in which no film part with the first negative type pattern is formed; a step (iv) for forming an upper layer on the lower layer using the specific actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition (3); a step (v) for exposing the upper layer to light; a step (vi) for developing the upper layer using a developer which includes an organic solvent and forming a second negative type pattern on the lower layer; and a step (vii) for removing a portion of the lower layer, in the stated order.

Abstract: Methods of forming a hardmask material film are provided.