Abstract: Systems and techniques involving optical coatings for semiconductor devices. An implementation includes a substantially isotropic, heterogeneous anti-reflective coating having a substantially equal thickness normal to any portion of a substrate independent of the orientation of the portion.

Abstract: An optically tuned SLAM (Sacrificial Light-Absorbing Material) may be used in a via-first dual damascene patterning process to facilitate removal of the SLAM. The monomers used to produce the optically tuned SLAM may be modified to place an optically sensitive structure in the backbone of the SLAM polymer. The wafer may be exposed to a wavelength to which the SLAM is tuned prior to etching and/or ashing steps to degrade the optically tuned SLAM and facilitate removal.

Abstract: Compositions for immersion liquid materials and associated immersion lithography systems and techniques. Examples of polymer or oligomer-based immersion liquids are described to exhibit superior material properties for immersion lithography in comparison with water and some other commonly-used immersion liquids. In addition, certain material additives may be added to water and water-based immersion liquids to improve the performance of the immersion liquids in immersion lithography.

Abstract: A mask useful for photolithography that can be electronically reconfigured is described. In one embodiment, a photolithography system has an illumination system, a reticle scanning stage, a wafer scanning stage, and a reticle mounted to the reticle scanning stage, the reticle having an electronically reconfigurable mask.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to generate particles for use in a slurry solution for chemical mechanical planarization (CMP). Reverse micelles are formed using at least one of an oxide and a metal in a mixture. The size of the reverse micelles is tuned to a desired size. The particles are formed inside the reverse micelles. The particles are precipitated and transferred to a slurry solution.

Abstract: Systems and techniques involving optical coatings for semiconductor devices. An implementation includes a substantially isotropic, heterogeneous anti-reflective coating having a substantially equal thickness normal to any portion of a substrate independent of the orientation of the portion.

Abstract: An optically tuned SLAM (Sacrificial Light-Absorbing Material) may be used in a via-first dual damascene patterning process to facilitate removal of the SLAM. The monomers used to produce the optically tuned SLAM may be modified to place an optically sensitive structure in the backbone of the SLAM polymer. The wafer may be exposed to a wavelength to which the SLAM is tuned prior to etching and/or ashing steps to degrade the optically tuned SLAM and facilitate removal.

Abstract: A basic developer/quencher solution formulated to include at least one supercritical fluid or liquid solvent and a base may be used to quench a photo-generated acid within a photoresist as well as develop the photoresist. The supercritical fluid or liquid solvent may be carbon dioxide and the base may be quaternary ammonium salt that has side groups that increase the solubility of the quaternary ammonium salt in carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A basic supercritical solution formulated to include at least one supercritical fluid and a base may be used to quench a photo-generated acid within a photoresist as well as develop the photoresist. The base may be the supercritical fluid in the basic supercritical solution. A super critical fluid is a state of matter above the critical temperature and pressure (Tc and Pc). A basic supercritical solution formulated to include at least one supercritical fluid has a low viscosity and surface tension and is capable of penetrating narrow features having high aspect ratios and the photoresist material due to the gas-like nature of the supercritical fluid.

Abstract: A compound including a polymeric chain, an acid labile group attached to the polymeric chain, and at least one hydrophilic group attached to the acid labile group is disclosed. Compositions including the compound, and methods of using the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Anti-reflective materials such as bottom anti-reflective coatings (BARC's) and sacrificial light absorbing materials (SLAM) may be made more effective at preventing coherent light or electron beam reflection from a substrate by including in the anti-reflective material an additive to alter the radiation beam path of the reflected light or electrons. The radiation beam path altering additive may be a reflective material or a refractive material. The inclusion of such a radiation beam bath altering additive may reduce line width roughness and increase critical dimension (CD) control of interconnect lines and vias.

Abstract: Compositions for immersion liquid materials and associated immersion lithography systems and techniques. Examples of polymer or oligomer-based immersion liquids are described to exhibit superior material properties for immersion lithography in comparison with water and some other commonly-used immersion liquids. In addition, certain material additives may be added to water and water-based immersion liquids to improve the performance of the immersion liquids in immersion lithography.

Abstract: Outgassing of reactive material upon exposure of a photolithographic resist may be reduced. Outgassing may foul optical components of the photolithographic system. In one embodiment, a ring compound with iodine or sulfur may be formed. The ring compound may be more resistant to the generation of reactive outgassing components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and compositions for providing photoresists with improved liquid-contact properties. For one embodiment of the invention, a photoresist is provided having one or more constituent components that are resistant to diffusion between the photoresist and an index-matching liquid (IML). For such an embodiment in which the IML is water, a photoresist component is provided that is hydrophobic thus reducing diffusion between the photoresist and the water. In various alternative embodiments of the invention, a photoresist is provided having one or more constituent components that encourage diffusion between the photoresist layer and the IML in such manner as to impart beneficial liquid-contact properties to the photoresist layer. For such an embodiment in which the IML is water, a photoresist is provided having one or more hydrophilic constituents.

Abstract: A photoacid generator with sigma-bonded cations may be utilized with certain photolithographic processes to provide desirable absorbance and high quantum efficiency.