Abstract: The present invention provides a polyimide-based copolymer and electronic component and field effect transistor comprising the same. The polyimide-based copolymer comprises a copolymer of dianhydride and heterocyclic diamine, wherein the heterocyclic diamine has two benzene rings, and there are two ether bonds, two thioether bonds, or one ether bond and one thioether bond between the two benzene rings. The novel polyimide-based copolymer of the invention has excellent thermal-mechanical stability, has potential application prospects, and can be used as a substrate for flexible electronics.

Abstract: A method includes forming a carbon-containing layer with a carbon atomic percentage greater than about 25 percent over a first hard mask layer, forming a capping layer over the carbon-containing layer, forming a first photo resist over the capping layer, and etching the capping layer and the carbon-containing layer using the first photo resist as a first etching mask. The first photo resist is then removed. A second photo resist is formed over the capping layer. The capping layer and the carbon-containing layer are etched using the second photo resist as a second etching mask. The second photo resist is removed. A third photo resist under the carbon-containing layer is etched using the carbon-containing layer as etching mask. A dielectric layer underlying the third photo resist is etched to form via openings using the third photo resist as etching mask. The via openings are filled with a conductive material.

Abstract: A hard mask formed over a patterned photoresist layer in a tri-layer photoresist and a method for patterning a target layer using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes depositing a photoresist layer over a first hard mask layer; patterning the photoresist layer to form a plurality of openings in the photoresist layer; depositing a second hard mask layer over the photoresist layer, the second hard mask layer filling the plurality of openings, the second hard mask layer having a first etch selectivity relative to the first hard mask layer, the photoresist layer having a second etch selectivity relative to the first hard mask layer, the first etch selectivity being greater than the second etch selectivity; planarizing the second hard mask layer; removing the photoresist layer; and etching the first hard mask layer using the second hard mask layer as a mask.

Abstract: A hard mask formed over a patterned photoresist layer in a tri-layer photoresist and a method for patterning a target layer using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes depositing a photoresist layer over a first hard mask layer; patterning the photoresist layer to form a plurality of openings in the photoresist layer; depositing a second hard mask layer over the photoresist layer, the second hard mask layer filling the plurality of openings, the second hard mask layer having a first etch selectivity relative to the first hard mask layer, the photoresist layer having a second etch selectivity relative to the first hard mask layer, the first etch selectivity being greater than the second etch selectivity; planarizing the second hard mask layer; removing the photoresist layer; and etching the first hard mask layer using the second hard mask layer as a mask.

Abstract: A method includes forming a carbon-containing layer with a carbon atomic percentage greater than about 25 percent over a first hard mask layer, forming a capping layer over the carbon-containing layer, forming a first photo resist over the capping layer, and etching the capping layer and the carbon-containing layer using the first photo resist as a first etching mask. The first photo resist is then removed. A second photo resist is formed over the capping layer. The capping layer and the carbon-containing layer are etched using the second photo resist as a second etching mask. The second photo resist is removed. A third photo resist under the carbon-containing layer is etched using the carbon-containing layer as etching mask. A dielectric layer underlying the third photo resist is etched to form via openings using the third photo resist as etching mask. The via openings are filled with a conductive material.

Abstract: A method includes forming a carbon-containing layer with a carbon atomic percentage greater than about 25 percent over a first hard mask layer, forming a capping layer over the carbon-containing layer, forming a first photo resist over the capping layer, and etching the capping layer and the carbon-containing layer using the first photo resist as a first etching mask. The first photo resist is then removed. A second photo resist is formed over the capping layer. The capping layer and the carbon-containing layer are etched using the second photo resist as a second etching mask. The second photo resist is removed. A third photo resist under the carbon-containing layer is etched using the carbon-containing layer as etching mask. A dielectric layer underlying the third photo resist is etched to form via openings using the third photo resist as etching mask. The via openings are filled with a conductive material.

Abstract: A method includes forming a carbon-containing layer with a carbon atomic percentage greater than about 25 percent over a first hard mask layer, forming a capping layer over the carbon-containing layer, forming a first photo resist over the capping layer, and etching the capping layer and the carbon-containing layer using the first photo resist as a first etching mask. The first photo resist is then removed. A second photo resist is formed over the capping layer. The capping layer and the carbon-containing layer are etched using the second photo resist as a second etching mask. The second photo resist is removed. A third photo resist under the carbon-containing layer is etched using the carbon-containing layer as etching mask. A dielectric layer underlying the third photo resist is etched to form via openings using the third photo resist as etching mask. The via openings are filled with a conductive material.

Abstract: A method includes forming a carbon-containing layer with a carbon atomic percentage greater than about 25 percent over a first hard mask layer, forming a capping layer over the carbon-containing layer, forming a first photo resist over the capping layer, and etching the capping layer and the carbon-containing layer using the first photo resist as a first etching mask. The first photo resist is then removed. A second photo resist is formed over the capping layer. The capping layer and the carbon-containing layer are etched using the second photo resist as a a second etching mask. The second photo resist is removed. A third photo resist under the carbon-containing layer is etched using the carbon-containing layer as etching mask. A dielectric layer underlying the third photo resist is etched to form via openings using the third photo resist as etching mask. The via openings are filled with a conductive material.