Abstract: Disclosed is a novel positive-working chemical-amplification photoresist composition capable of giving an extremely finely patterned resist layer in the manufacturing process of semiconductor devices. The photoresist composition comprises: (A) 100 parts by weight of a copolymeric resin consisting of from 50 to 85% by moles of (a) hydroxyl group-containing styrene units, from 15 to 35% by moles of (b) styrene units and from 2 to 20% by moles of (c) acrylate or methacrylate ester units each having a solubility-reducing group capable of being eliminated in the presence of an acid; and (B) from 1 to 20 parts by weight of a radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent which is an onium salt containing a fluoroalkyl sulfonate ion having 3 to 10 carbon atoms as the anion such as bis(4-tert-butylphenyl) iodonium nonafluorobutane sulfonate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel positive-working chemical-amplification photoresist composition used in the photolithographic patterning works in the manufacture of semiconductor devices capable of giving an excellently patterned resist layer with remarkably small film thickness reduction by the development treatment with an aqueous alkaline developer solution in the areas unexposed to patternwise exposure to light. Characteristically, the resinous ingredient in the composition, which is formulated in combination with a radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent and imparted with an increase in the solubility in an alkaline developer solution, is a ternary copolymeric resin consisting of the monomeric units of (a) hydroxystyrene units, (b) styrene units and (c) 1-alkylcyclohexyl (meth)acrylate units each in a specified molar fraction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel positive-working chemical-amplification photoresist composition capable of giving an extremely finely patterned resist layer in the manufacturing process of semiconductor devices and a method for forming a finely patterned resist layer therewith. The photoresist composition comprises: (A) 100 parts by weight of a copolymeric resin consisting of from 50 to 85% by moles of (a) hydroxyl group-containing styrene units, from 15 to 35% by moles of (b) styrene units and from 2 to 20% by moles of (c) tert-butyl (meth)acrylate units; and (B) from 1 to 20 parts by weight of a radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent which is an onium salt containing a fluoroalkyl sulfonate ion having 1 to 10 carbon atoms as the anion such as diphenyliodonium trifluoromethane sulfonate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming an extremely finely patterned resist layer on a substrate surface by using a positive-working chemical-amplification photoresist composition in the manufacturing process of semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a poly(disulfonyl diazomethane) compound as a class of novel compounds represented by the general formula R-SO2-C(N2)-SO2&Brketopenst; Z-SO2-C(N2)-SO2&Brketclosest; nR in which the subscript n is 1 to 5, each R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group and Z is a divalent hydrocarbon group. The invention also discloses a chemical-amplification positive-working photoresist composition which comprises the above mentioned poly(disulfonyl diazomethane) compound as the radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent in combination with a film-forming resin capable of being imparted with increased solubility in an aqueous alkaline solution by the interaction with an acid, such as a polyhydroxystyrene resin of which a part of the hydroxyl groups are substituted by acid-dissociable solubility-reducing groups, e.g., tert-butoxycarbonyl groups.

Abstract: Disclosed is a poly(disulfonyl diazomethane) compound as a class of novel compounds represented by the general formula ##STR1## in which the subscript n is 1 to 5, each R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group and Z is a divalent hydrocarbon group. The invention also discloses a chemical-amplification positive-working photoresist composition which comprises the above mentioned poly(disulfonyl diazomethane) compound as the radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent in combination with a film-forming resin capable of being imparted with increased solubility in an aqueous alkaline solution by the interaction with an acid, such as a polyhydroxystyrene resin of which a part of the hydroxyl groups are substituted by acid-dissociable solubility-reducing groups, e.g., tert-butoxycarbonyl groups.