Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using immersion exposure in which exposure is carried out with an immersion exposure liquid interposed between a projection lens and a substrate, includes preparing a photomask on which a plurality of patterns are formed, projecting the patterns formed on the photomask, on a predetermined surface via the projection lens and the immersion exposure liquid, acquiring dimensional information on dimension acquiring patterns based on the patterns projected on the predetermined surface, adjusting a refractive index of the immersion exposure liquid on the basis of the dimensional information, and projecting patterns formed on the photomask, on a substrate via the projection lens and the immersion exposure liquid with the refractive index adjusted.

Abstract: A patterning method includes: forming a first film on a workpiece substrate; forming a second film on the first film, the second film being a silicon film having a lower optical absorption coefficient with respect to EUV (extreme ultraviolet) light than the first film; forming a resist film on the second film; selectively irradiating the resist film with the EUV light; and developing the resist film.

Abstract: A method for treating a substrate before exposing the substrate to which a resist is applied, includes, rinsing the substrate to which a resist is applied, and holding the rinsed substrate in an atmosphere. The atmosphere substantially contains no moisture until conveying the substrate to an exposure apparatus.

Abstract: A pattern forming method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes forming a resist layer on a semiconductor substrate, selectively exposing the resist layer, developing the selectively exposed resist layer, decomposing photosensitizer in the resist layer after developing the resist layer, removing the photosensitizer or acid generated from the decomposed photosensitizer, applying a shrink material on the developed resist layer after removing the photosensitizer or the acid generated from the decomposed photosensitizer, performing a heating process for the resist layer on which the shrink material is applied, and removing a part of the heat-processed shrink material.

Abstract: A pattern forming method comprises forming a first resist pattern on a substrate, irradiating light on the first resist pattern, forming a resist film including a cross-linking material on the substrate and the first resist pattern, forming a second resist pattern including a cross-linking layer formed at an interface between the first resist pattern and the resist film by causing a cross-linking reaction at the interface, and irradiating light on the first resist pattern including setting an amount of the light irradiated on the first resist pattern such that a dimension of the second resist pattern is to be a predetermined dimension based on a previously prepared relationship between a difference between a dimension relating to the first resist pattern and a dimension relating to the second resist pattern and the amount of the light irradiated on the first resist pattern.

Abstract: A resist pattern is formed on the major surface of a semiconductor substrate, and coated with a water-soluble pattern formation material having thermal crosslinking properties in the presence of an acid. A crosslinking film is formed by heating in that portion of the water-soluble pattern formation material which is in contact with the resist pattern. A pattern is formed by removing a portion of the water-soluble pattern formation material except for the crosslinking film by using an aqueous alkali solution containing a surfactant.

Abstract: An method for evaluating sensitivity of a photoresist includes transferring an exposure dose monitor mark onto an inspection resist film with an inspection setting exposure dose using an exposure tool. Inspection sensitivity index varying according to the inspection setting exposure dose is measured, using an inspection transferred image of the exposure dose monitor mark delineated on the inspection resist film. An inspection photoresist sensitivity of the inspection resist film is calculated using sensitivity calibration data, based on the inspection sensitivity index.

Abstract: This invention discloses a waste liquid processing method in a semiconductor manufacturing process. The waste liquids of a plurality of chemical solutions are mixed. The mixing ratio of the plurality of solutions in a waste liquid mixture generated by mixing is obtained. It is determined whether the obtained mixing ratio satisfies or is predicted not to satisfy a predetermined condition. If the mixing ratio does not satisfy or is predicted not to satisfy the condition, the waste liquid mixture is diluted with a diluent to satisfy the condition.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate, comprising forming a chemically amplified resist film on a substrate, irradiating energy beams to the chemically amplified resist film to form a latent image therein, carrying out heat treatment with respect to the chemically amplified resist film, heating treatment being carried out in a manner of relatively moving a heating section for heating the chemically amplified resist film and the substrate forming a gas stream flowing reverse to the relatively moving direction of the heating section between the lower surface of the heating section and the chemically amplified resist film.

Abstract: In a substrate processing method, a substrate to be processed coated with a film containing a solvent is heated in a single wafer processing manner. The substrate to be processed is heated for a predetermined time by arranging the substrate to be processed in the proximity of a heated heating plate while passing a gas along a top surface of the substrate to be processed at a predetermined flow rate. The substrate to be processed is cooled to a temperature lower than a sublimation temperature of a substance contained in the film containing the solvent while passing a gas heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the sublimation temperature of the substance contained in the film containing the solvent along the top surface of the substrate to be processed.

Abstract: A substrate-processing apparatus includes a sample table which mounts thereon a to-be-processed substrate, a first line which supplies a chemical solution, a second line which supplies a cleaning liquid, a three-way valve connected to the first and second lines and configured to select one of the first and second lines, a filter provided across the first line upstream of the three-way valve, and configured to eliminate a foreign material from the chemical solution, and a nozzle provided downstream of the three-way valve and configured to discharge the chemical solution or the cleaning liquid when the first or second line is selected via the three-way valve. The three-way valve selects the first line when the substrate is coated with the chemical solution, and selects the second line in other cases.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate, comprising forming a chemically amplified resist film on a substrate, irradiating energy beams to the chemically amplified resist film to form a latent image therein, carrying out heat treatment with respect to the chemically amplified resist film, heating treatment being carried out in a manner of relatively moving a heating section for heating the chemically amplified resist film and the substrate forming a gas stream flowing reverse to the relatively moving direction of the heating section between the lower surface of the heating section and the chemically amplified resist film.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a substrate treatment method including performing a treatment including intermittently supplying a cleaning fluid to a central area of a treatment substrate while continuously rotating the substrate, and continuously supplying a cleaning fluid to a peripheral area of the substrate, thereby treating the substrate so that a liquid film on the substrate monotonously increases from the central area to the peripheral area along with the rotation of the substrate and so that the central area substantially dries.

Abstract: A substrate processing method including while a liquid is supplied between a processing target substrate to be applied with exposure treatment and a projection optical system of an exposure apparatus for carrying out the exposure treatment, prior to providing a resist film on a first main face of the processing target substrate that is provided for liquid immersion exposure for carrying out the exposure treatment at a side to be applied with the exposure treatment, selectively applying at least hydrophobic treatment with respect to a region in a predetermined range from a peripheral rim part of a second main face opposite to the first main face.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method to form a resist pattern on a to-be-processed substrate by immersion exposure. A resist film is formed on the central portion of the upper surface of the to-be-processed substrate, on a bevel portion of the upper surface, which is obtained by chamfering the peripheral portion of the to-be-processed substrate, and on the end portion of the to-be-processed substrate. Pattern exposure for forming the latent image of a desired pattern on the resist film is executed while a liquid whose refractive index is higher than that of air exists between the resist film and a constituent element of a projection optical system of an exposure apparatus, which is nearest to the to-be-processed substrate. The resist film formed on the end portion of the to-be-processed substrate is removed by supplying a rinse solution to the end portion of the to-be-processed substrate after executing pattern exposure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using immersion exposure in which exposure is carried out with an immersion exposure liquid interposed between a projection lens and a substrate, includes preparing a photomask on which a plurality of patterns are formed, projecting the patterns formed on the photomask, on a predetermined surface via the projection lens and the immersion exposure liquid, acquiring dimensional information on dimension acquiring patterns based on the patterns projected on the predetermined surface, adjusting a refractive index of the immersion exposure liquid on the basis of the dimensional information, and projecting patterns formed on the photomask, on a substrate via the projection lens and the immersion exposure liquid with the refractive index adjusted.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a resist pattern forming method of forming a resist pattern by immersion exposure, comprising forming a resist film on a substrate to be treated, a contact angle between the resist film and an immersion liquid being a first angle, forming a first cover film on the resist film, a contact angle between the first cover film and the immersion liquid being a second angle which is larger than the first angle, forming a second cover film on the first cover film, a contact angle between the second cover film and the immersion liquid being a third angle which is smaller than the second angle, and forming a latent image on the resist film by the immersion exposure.

Abstract: A method for qualifying a chemical solution is disclosed. This method (a) obtains the number of particles in a chemical solution for each size of the particles, and (b) predicts, for each size of the particles, the influence of the chemical solution on a device to be fabricated by using the chemical solution. The degree of influence of the chemical solution on the device is obtained by using the results of (a) and (b). The quality of the chemical solution is evaluated on the basis of the obtained result, and whether the chemical solution is good or bad is determined on the basis of the evaluation result. On the basis of the determination result, the chemical solution is qualified as a chemical solution for use in a fabrication step of the device.

Abstract: A pattern forming method includes the following teps. A resist pattern is formed on a to-be-processed film. A mask pattern including the resist pattern and a resin film formed on a surface of the resist pattern is formed. Slimming of the mask pattern is executed.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for a substrate to be processed with a coating film has a chamber with an inner space, a heating plate heating the substrate to be processed in the inner space, and a partition member. The heating plate has a support surface which supports the substrate to be processed within the chamber. The partition member is arranged in the chamber so as to face the support surface. The partition member partitions the inner space into first and second spaces, and has a plurality of pores which allow the first and second spaces to communicate with each other. The support surface of the heating plate is set in the first space. An air stream formation mechanism forming an air stream is arranged in the second space. This mechanism discharges a substance evaporated from the photoresist film.