Abstract: A photoresist composition includes a first polymer in which at least half of the repeat units are photoacid-generating repeat units, and a second polymer that exhibits a change in solubility in an alkali developer under the action of acid. In the first polymer, each of the photoacid-generating repeat units comprises photoacid-generating functionality and base-solubility-enhancing functionality.

Abstract: A polymer includes repeat units, at least half of which are photoacid-generating repeat units. Each of the photoacid-generating repeat units includes photoacid-generating functionality and base-solubility-enhancing functionality. The polymer is useful as a component of a photoresist composition that further includes a second polymer that exhibits a change in solubility in an alkali developer under action of acid.

Abstract: Methods of forming an electronic device comprise: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a porous feature on a surface thereof; (b) applying a composition over the porous feature, wherein the composition comprises a polymer and a solvent, wherein the polymer comprises a repeat unit of the following general formula (I): wherein: Ar1, Ar2, Ar3 and Ar4 independently represent an optionally substituted divalent aromatic group; X1 and X2 independently represent a single bond, —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)NR1—, —NR2C(O)—, —S—, —S(O)—, —SO2— or an optionally substituted C1-20 divalent hydrocarbon group, wherein R1 and R2 independently represent H or a C1-20 hydrocarbyl group; m is 0 or 1; n is 0 or 1; and o is 0 or 1; and (c) heating the composition; wherein the polymer is disposed in pores of the porous feature. The methods find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices for forming low-k and ultra-low-k dielectric materials.

Abstract: Acid generator compounds are provided that are particularly useful as photoresist composition components. Preferred acid generators include cyclic sulfonium compounds that comprise a covalently linked acid-labile group.

Abstract: A polymer includes repeat units, at least half of which are photoacid-generating repeat units. Each of the photoacid-generating repeat units includes photoacid-generating functionality and base-solubility-enhancing functionality. The polymer is useful as a component of a photoresist composition that further includes a second polymer that exhibits a change in solubility in an alkali developer under action of acid.

Abstract: A photoresist composition includes a first polymer in which at least half of the repeat units are photoacid-generating repeat units, and a second polymer that exhibits a change in solubility in an alkali developer under the action of acid. In the first polymer, each of the photoacid-generating repeat units comprises photoacid-generating functionality and base-solubility-enhancing functionality.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a graft block copolymer comprising a first block polymer; the first block polymer comprising a backbone polymer and a first graft polymer; where the first graft polymer comprises a surface energy reducing moiety; and a second block polymer; the second block polymer being covalently bonded to the first block; wherein the second block comprises the backbone polymer and a second graft polymer; where the second graft polymer comprises a functional group that is operative to crosslink the graft block copolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a photoresist composition comprising a graft block copolymer; a solvent and a photoacid generator; where the graft block copolymer comprises a first block polymer; the first block polymer comprising a backbone polymer and a first graft polymer; where the first graft polymer comprises a surface energy reducing moiety that comprises a halocarbon moiety or a silicon containing moiety; and a second block polymer; the second block polymer being covalently bonded to the first block; wherein the second block comprises the backbone polymer and a second graft polymer; where the second graft polymer comprises a functional group that is operative to undergo deprotection and alter the solubility of the graft block copolymer; where the graft block copolymer has a bottle brush topology.

Abstract: A composition comprising a polymer and a solvent, wherein the polymer comprises: a repeat unit of the following general formula (I): wherein: Ar1, Ar2, Ar3 and Ar4 independently represent an optionally substituted divalent aromatic group; X1 and X2 independently represent a single bond, —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)NR1—, —NR2C(O)—, —S—, —S(O)—, —SO2— or an optionally substituted C1-20 divalent hydrocarbon group, wherein R1 and R2 independently represent H or a C1-20 hydrocarbyl group; m is 0 or 1; n is 0 or 1; and o is 0 or 1; and an endcapping group that is free of polymerizable vinyl groups and hydroxyl groups. The compositions find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices for forming low-k and ultra-low-k dielectric materials.

Abstract: Methods of forming an electronic device comprise: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a porous feature on a surface thereof; (b) applying a composition over the porous feature, wherein the composition comprises a polymer and a solvent, wherein the polymer comprises a repeat unit of the following general formula (I): wherein: Ar1, Ar2, Ar3 and Ar4 independently represent an optionally substituted divalent aromatic group; X1 and X2 independently represent a single bond, —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)NR1—, —NR2C(O)—, —S—, —S(O)—, —SO2— or an optionally substituted C1-20 divalent hydrocarbon group, wherein R1 and R2 independently represent H or a C1-20 hydrocarbyl group; m is 0 or 1; n is 0 or 1; and o is 0 or 1; and (c) heating the composition; wherein the polymer is disposed in pores of the porous feature. The methods find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices for forming low-k and ultra-low-k dielectric materials.

Abstract: A photoresist composition includes a first polymer in which at least half of the repeat units are photoacid-generating repeat units, and a second polymer that exhibits a change in solubility in an alkali developer under the action of acid. In the first polymer, each of the photoacid-generating repeat units comprises photoacid-generating functionality and base-solubility-enhancing functionality.

Abstract: A photoresist composition includes a first polymer in which at least half of the repeat units are photoacid-generating repeat units, and a second polymer that exhibits a change in solubility in an alkali developer under the action of acid. In the first polymer, each of the photoacid-generating repeat units comprises photoacid-generating functionality and base-solubility-enhancing functionality.

Abstract: A polymer includes repeat units, most of which are photoacid-generating repeat units. Each of the photoacid-generating repeat units includes photoacid-generating functionality and base-solubility-enhancing functionality. Each of the photoacid-generating repeat units comprises an anion and a photoacid-generating cation that collectively have structure (I) wherein q, r, R1, m, X, and Z? are defined herein. The polymer is useful as a component of a photoresist composition that further includes a second polymer that exhibits a change in solubility in an alkali developer under action of acid.

Abstract: A polymer includes repeat units, at least half of which are photoacid-generating repeat units. Each of the photoacid-generating repeat units includes photoacid-generating functionality and base-solubility-enhancing functionality. The polymer is useful as a component of a photoresist composition that further includes a second polymer that exhibits a change in solubility in an alkali developer under action of acid.

Abstract: Acid generator compounds are provided that are particularly useful as photoresist composition components. Preferred acid generators include cyclic sulfonium compounds that comprise a covalently linked acid-labile group.

Abstract: A copolymer include repeat units derived from an acid-labile monomer, an aliphatic lactone-containing monomer, a C1-12 alkyl(meth)acrylate in which the C1-12 alkyl group includes a specific base-soluble group, a photoacid-generating monomer that includes an aliphatic anion, and a neutral aromatic monomer having the formula wherein R1, R2, R3, X, m, and Ar are defined herein. The copolymer is used as a component of a photoresist composition. A coated substrate including a layer of the photoresist composition, and a method of forming an electronic device using the coated substrate are described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a graft block copolymer comprising a copolymer comprising a backbone polymer; and a first graft polymer that comprises a surface energy reducing moiety; the first graft polymer being grafted onto the backbone polymer; where the surface energy reducing moiety comprises a fluorine atom, a silicon atom, or a combination of a fluorine atom and a silicon atom; a photoacid generator; and a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A copolymer includes the polymerized product of a comonomer and a monomer having the formula (I): wherein c is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5; Ra is H, F, —CN, C1-10 alkyl, or C1-10 fluoroalkyl; Rx and Ry are each independently an unsubstituted or substituted C1-10 linear or branched alkyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted C3-10 cycloalkyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted C3-10 alkenylalkyl group, or an unsubstituted or substituted C3-10 alkynylalkyl group; wherein Rx and Ry together optionally form a ring; and Rz is a C6-20 aryl group substituted with an acetal-containing group or a ketal-containing group, or a C3-C20 heteroaryl group substituted with an acetal-containing group or a ketal-containing group, wherein the C6-20 aryl group or the C3-C20 heteroaryl group can, optionally, be further substituted. Also described are a photoresist including the copolymer, a coated substrate having a layer of the photoresist, and a method of forming an electronic device utilizing the photoresist.

Abstract: A copolymer includes repeat units derived from a lactone-substituted monomer, a base-soluble monomer having a pKa less than or equal to 12, a photoacid-generating monomer, and an acid-labile monomer having the formula wherein R1, R2, R3, and Ar are defined herein. The copolymer can be used as a component of a photoresist composition, and the photoresist composition can be coated on a substrate having one or more layers to be patterned, or used in a method of forming an electronic device.

Abstract: A copolymer comprising the polymerized product of an electron-sensitizing acid deprotectable monomer, such as the monomer having the formula (XX), and a comonomer: wherein Ra is H, F, —CN, C1-10 alkyl, or C1-10 fluoroalkyl; Rx and Ry are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C1-10 alkyl group or C3-10 cycloalkyl group; Rz is a substituted or unsubstituted C6-20 aromatic-containing group or C6-20 cycloaliphatic-containing group; wherein Rx and Ry together optionally form a ring; and wherein at least one of Rx, Ry and Rz is halogenated. A photoresist and coated substrate comprising the copolymer, and a method of making an electronic device using the photoresist, are also disclosed.