Abstract: The invention discloses improvements in the so-called coated thermal flow process for reducing the pattern dimension of a patterned resist layer on a substrate to accomplish increased fineness of resist patterning, in which a coating layer of a water-soluble resin formed on the patterned resist layer is heat-treated to effect thermal shrinkage of the coating layer with simultaneous reduction of the pattern dimension followed by removal of the coating layer by washing with water. The improvement of the process is obtained by using an aqueous coating solution admixed with a water-soluble amine compound such as triethanolamine in addition to a water-soluble resin such as a polyacrylic acid-based polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel negative-working chemical-amplification photoresist composition comprising (A) an alkali-soluble resin, (B) an acid-generating agent and (C) a crosslinking agent, of which the component (B) is an onium salt compound selected from the group consisting of iodonium salt compounds and sulfonium salt compounds, having a specific fluoroalkyl sulfonate ion as the anionic moiety and the component (C) is a specific ethyleneurea compound substituted for at least one nitrogen atom by a hydroxymethyl or alkoxymethyl group. The photoresist composition is particularly suitable for the formation of a photoresist layer on a substrate surface provided with an undercoating of a water-insoluble organic anti-reflection film exhibiting excellent pattern resolution and orthogonal cross sectional profile of the patterned resist layer with a good temperature latitude in the post-exposure baking treatment for latent image formation.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method of forming fine patterns comprising: subjecting a substrate having photoresist patterns to a hydrophilic treatment, covering the substrate having photoresist patterns with an over-coating agent for forming fine patterns, applying heat treatment to cause thermal shrinkage of the over-coating agent so that the spacing between adjacent photoresist patterns is lessened by the resulting thermal shrinking action, and removing the over-coating agent substantially completely.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel multilayered body for photolithographic patterning of a photoresist layer from which a patterned resist layer having an excellent cross sectional profile can be obtained when the multilayered structure comprises, on the surface of a substrate, an underlying water-insoluble anti-reflection film and a negative-working photoresist layer of a specific photoresist composition comprising: (A) 100 parts by weight of an alkali-soluble resin; (B) from 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of an onium salt compound capable of releasing an acid by irradiation with actinic rays; and (C) from 3 to 50 parts by weight of a glycoluril compound substituted by at least one hydroxyalkyl group or alkoxyalkyl group at the N-position.

Abstract: The invention discloses improvements in the so-called coated thermal flow process for reducing the pattern dimension of a patterned resist layer on a substrate to accomplish increased fineness of resist patterning, in which a coating layer of a water-soluble resin formed on the patterned resist layer is heat-treated to effect thermal shrinkage of the coating layer with simultaneous reduction of the pattern dimension followed by removal of the coating layer by washing with water. The improvement of the process is obtained by using an aqueous coating solution admixed with a water-soluble amine compound such as triethanolamine in addition to a water-soluble resin such as a polyacrylic acid-based polymer.

Abstract: A method for forming a fine pattern characterized by comprising a step for coating a substrate having a photoresist pattern with an agent for forming a fine pattern coating, a step for decreasing the intervals of the photoresist patterns by thermally shrinking the agent for forming a fine pattern coating through heat treatment, and a step for removing the agent for forming a fine pattern coating, the above steps being repeated a plurality of times. According to the inventive method for forming a fine pattern, a fine pattern having a good profile can be obtained even when a substrate having a thick-film photoresist patterns about 1.0 &mgr;m thick or above is employed while exhibiting excellent controllability of pattern dimensions and satisfying the characteristics required by a semiconductor device.

Abstract: It is disclosed an over-coating agent for forming fine patterns which is applied to cover a substrate having photoresist patterns thereon and allowed to shrink under heat so that the spacing between the adjacent photoresist patterns is lessened, further characterized by containing a water-soluble polymer and a surfactant. Also disclosed is a method of forming fine-line patterns using the over-coating agent. According to the invention, one can obtain fine-line patterns which exhibit good profiles while satisfying the characteristics required of semiconductor devices, being excellent in controlling the dimension of patterns.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method of forming fine patterns comprising: covering a substrate having photoresist patterns with an over-coating agent for forming fine patterns, applying heat treatment to cause thermal shrinkage of the over-coating agent so that the spacing between adjacent photoresist patterns is lessened by the resulting thermal shrinking action, and removing the over-coating agent substantially completely by way of bringing thusly treated substrate into contact with a remover solution for over 60 seconds.

Abstract: It is disclosed an over-coating agent for forming fine-line patterns which is applied to cover a substrate having thereon photoresist patterns and allowed to shrink under heat so that the spacing between adjacent photoresist patterns is lessened, with the applied film of the over-coating agent being removed substantially completely to form or define fine trace patterns, further characterized by containing a copolymer or a mixture of polyvinyl alcohol with a water-soluble polymer other than polyvinyl alcohol. Also disclosed is a method of forming fine-line patterns using the over-coating agent. According to the invention, one can effectively increase the shrinkage amount (the amount of heat shrinking) of the agent, thereby achieving a remarkably improved effect of forming or defining fine-line patterns and which also present satisfactory profiles and meet the characteristics required of today's semiconductor devices.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method of forming fine patterns comprising: covering a substrate having photoresist patterns with an over-coating agent for forming fine patterns, removing the unwanted over-coating agent that has been deposited on the edge portions and/or the back side of the substrate, applying heat treatment to cause thermal shrinkage of the over-coating agent so that the spacing between adjacent photoresist patterns is lessened by the resulting thermal shrinking action, and removing the over-coating agent substantially completely. The invention provides a method of forming fine patterns which has high ability to control pattern dimensions and provide fine patterns that have a satisfactory profile and satisfy the characteristics required of semiconductor devices, with an additional capability of preventing the occurrence of particles which are a potential cause of device contamination.

Abstract: It is disclosed an over-coating agent for forming fine patterns which is applied to cover a substrate having thereon photoresist patterns and allowed to shrink under heat so that the spacing between adjacent photoresist patterns is lessened, with the applied film of the over-coating agent being removed substantially completely to form or define fine trace patterns, further characterized by containing a water-soluble polymer and a water-soluble fluorine compound (e.g. a fluoro-alkyl alcohol or a fluoroalkyl carboxylic acid). Also disclosed is a method of forming fine-line patterns using the over-coating agent. According to the invention, one can reduce microfoaming and defects to produce fine-line patterns that have good leveling and coating properties and which also present satisfactory profiles and meet the characteristics required of today's semiconductor devices.

Abstract: The invention discloses improvements in the so-called coated thermal flow process for reducing the pattern dimension of a patterned resist layer on a substrate to accomplish increased fineness of resist patterning, in which a coating layer of a water-soluble resin formed on the patterned resist layer is heat-treated to effect thermal shrinkage of the coating layer with simultaneous reduction of the pattern dimension followed by removal of the coating layer by washing with water. The improvement of the process is obtained by using an aqueous coating solution admixed with a water-soluble amine compound such as triethanolamine in addition to a water-soluble resin such as a polyacrylic acid-based polymer.

Abstract: The invention discloses improvements in the so-called coated thermal flow process for reducing the pattern dimension of a patterned resist layer on a substrate to accomplish increased fineness of resist patterning, in which a coating layer of a water-soluble resin formed on the patterned resist layer is heat-treated to effect thermal shrinkage of the coating layer with simultaneous reduction of the pattern dimension followed by removal of the coating layer by washing with water. The improvement of the process is obtained by using an aqueous coating solution admixed with a water-soluble amine compound such as triethanolamine in addition to a water-soluble resin such as a polyacrylic acid-based polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a negative working resist composition comprising a diazosulfonic acid compound capable of generating an acid with irradiation of radiation and an organic amine compound. The negative working resist composition is excellent in sensitivity, resist pattern profile, and aging stability.

Abstract: The invention discloses improvements in the so-called coated thermal flow process for reducing the pattern dimension of a patterned resist layer on a substrate to accomplish increased fineness of resist patterning, in which a coating layer of a water-soluble resin formed on the patterned resist layer is heat-treated to effect thermal shrinkage of the coating layer with simultaneous reduction of the pattern dimension followed by removal of the coating layer by washing with water. The improvement of the process is obtained by using an aqueous coating solution admixed with a water-soluble amine compound such as triethanolamine in addition to a water-soluble resin such as a polyacrylic acid-based polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel multilayered body for photolitho-graphic patterning of a photoresist layer from which a patterned resist layer having an excellent cross sectional profile can be obtained when the multilayered structure comprises, on the surface of a substrate, an underlying water-insoluble anti-reflection film and a negative-working photoresist layer of a specific photoresist composition comprising:

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel multilayered body for photolithographic patterning of a photoresist layer from which a patterned resist layer having an excellent cross sectional profile can be obtained when the multilayered structure comprises, on the surface of a substrate, an underlying water-insoluble anti-reflection film and a negative-working photoresist layer of a specific photoresist composition comprising: (A) 100 parts by weight of an alkali-soluble resin; (B) from 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of an onium salt compound capable of releasing an acid by irradiation with actinic rays; and (C) from 3 to 50 parts by weight of a glycoluril compound substituted by at least one hydroxyalkyl group or alkoxyalkyl group at the N-position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel negative-working chemical-amplification photoresist composition comprising (A) an alkali-soluble resin, (B) an acid-generating agent and (C) a crosslinking agent, of which the component (B) is an onium salt compound having a specific fluoroalkyl sulfonate ion as the anionic moiety and the component (C) is a specific ethyleneurea compound substituted for at least one nitrogen atom by a hydroxymethyl or alkoxymethyl group. The photoresist composition is particularly suitable for the formation of a photoresist layer on a substrate surface provided with an undercoating of a water-insoluble organic anti-reflection film exhibiting excellent pattern resolution and orthogonal cross sectional profile of the patterned resist layer with a good temperature latitude in the post-exposure baking treatment for latent image formation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel negative-working chemical-amplification photoresist composition comprising (A) an alkali-soluble resin, (B) an acid-generating agent and (C) a crosslinking agent, of which the component (B) is an onium salt compound selected from the group consisting of iodonium salt compounds and sulfonium salt compounds, having a specific fluoroalkyl sulfonate ion as the anionic moiety and the component (C) is a specific ethyleneurea compound substituted for at least one nitrogen atom by a hydroxymethyl or alkoxymethyl group. The photoresist composition is particularly suitable for the formation of a photoresist layer on a substrate surface provided with an undercoating of a water-insoluble organic anti-reflection film exhibiting excellent pattern resolution and orthogonal cross sectional profile of the patterned resist layer with a good temperature latitude in the post-exposure baking treatment for latent image formation.

Abstract: Proposed is a novel chemical-sensitization resist composition capable of giving a positively or negatively patterned resist layer of excellent pattern resolution and cross sectional profile of the patterned resist layer with high sensitivity. Characteristically, the resist composition is formulated, as combined with a resinous ingredient which is subject to changes in the solubility behavior in an alkaline developer solution by interaction with an acid, with a specific oximesulfonate compound as the radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent represented by the general formula R1—C(CN)═N—O—SO2—R2, in which R1 is an inert organic group and R2 is an unsubstituted or substituted polycyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon groups such as naphthyl and polycyclic non-aromatic hydrocarbon groups such as a terpene or camphor residue.