Abstract: A carboxylic acid onium salt of formula (1) exerts a satisfactory acid diffusion control (or quencher) function. A resist composition comprising the carboxylic acid onium salt can be processed by DUV or EUV lithography to form a resist pattern with improved resolution, reduced LWR and minimal defects after development.

Abstract: A pattern forming process is provided comprising the steps of applying a resist composition comprising a polymer comprising recurring units having formula (1a) and/or (1b), an acid generator and a solvent onto a substrate, baking to form a resist film, exposing the resist film to high-energy radiation, baking, and developing in an alkaline developer to form a negative tone pattern.

Abstract: A monomer having a plurality of tertiary alcoholic hydroxyl groups is provided. A useful polymer is obtained by polymerizing the monomer. From a resist composition comprising the polymer, a negative pattern which is insoluble in alkaline developer and has high etch resistance is formed at a high resolution.

Abstract: A monomer having a substituent group capable of polarity switch under the action of acid is provided. A useful polymer is obtained by polymerizing the monomer. A resist composition comprising the polymer has improved development properties and is processed to form a negative pattern having high resolution and etch resistance which is insoluble in alkaline developer.

Abstract: A monomer of formula (1a) or (1b) is provided wherein A is a polymerizable group, R1-R6 are monovalent hydrocarbon groups, X1 is a divalent hydrocarbon group, Z1 is an aliphatic group, Z2 forms an alicyclic group, k=0 or 1, m=1 or 2, n=1 to 4. A useful polymer is obtained by polymerizing the monomer. A resist composition comprising the polymer has improved development properties and is processed to form a negative pattern having high contrast, high resolution and etch resistance which is insoluble in alkaline developer.

Abstract: A negative pattern is formed by applying a resist composition onto a substrate, exposing the resist film, and developing the exposed resist film in an organic solvent developer. The process further involves coating the negative pattern with a shrink agent solution of a polymer comprising recurring units capable of forming lactone under the action of acid in a C7-C16 ester or C8-C16 ketone solvent, baking the coating, and removing the excessive shrink agent via organic solvent development for thereby shrinking the size of spaces in the pattern.

Abstract: A negative pattern is formed by applying a resist composition onto a substrate, exposing the resist film, and developing the exposed resist film in an organic solvent developer. The process further involves coating the negative pattern with a shrink agent solution of a polymer comprising recurring units having an acid labile group-substituted hydroxyl and/or carboxyl group in a C7-C16 ester or C8-C16 ketone solvent, baking the coating, and removing the excessive shrink agent via organic solvent development for thereby shrinking the size of spaces in the pattern.

Abstract: A negative pattern is formed by coating a resist composition comprising (A) a polymer having an acid labile group, adapted to change its polarity under the action of acid, (B) a photoacid generator, and (C) an organic solvent onto a substrate, baking, exposing the resist film to high-energy radiation, PEB, and developing in an organic solvent-based developer to selectively dissolve the unexposed region of resist film. The photoacid generator has the formula: R1—COOC(CF3)2—CH2SO3?R2R3R4S+ wherein R1 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group, R2, R3 and R4 are an alkyl, alkenyl, oxoalkyl, aryl, aralkyl or aryloxoalkyl group, or may bond together to form a ring with the sulfur atom.

Abstract: A pattern forming process is provided comprising the steps of applying a resist composition comprising a polymer comprising recurring units having formula (1a) and/or (1b), an acid generator and a solvent onto a substrate, baking to form a resist film, exposing the resist film to high-energy radiation, baking, and developing in an alkaline developer to form a negative tone pattern.

Abstract: A negative pattern is formed by applying a resist composition onto a substrate, exposing the resist film, and developing the exposed resist film in an organic solvent developer. The process further involves coating the negative pattern with a shrink agent solution of a first polymer comprising recurring units capable of forming carboxyl, hydroxyl or lactone ring and a second polymer comprising recurring units capable of forming amino and fluorinated recurring units in an ester and/or ketone solvent, baking the coating, and removing the excessive shrink agent for thereby shrinking the size of spaces in the pattern.

Abstract: A monomer having a plurality of tertiary alcoholic hydroxyl groups is provided. A useful polymer is obtained by polymerizing the monomer. From a resist composition comprising the polymer, a negative pattern which is insoluble in alkaline developer and has high etch resistance is formed at a high resolution.

Abstract: A negative pattern is formed by applying a resist composition onto a substrate, exposing the resist film, and developing the exposed resist film in an organic solvent developer. The process further involves coating the negative pattern with a shrink agent solution of a polymer comprising recurring units capable of forming lactone under the action of acid in a C7-C16 ester or C8-C16 ketone solvent, baking the coating, and removing the excessive shrink agent via organic solvent development for thereby shrinking the size of spaces in the pattern.

Abstract: A negative pattern is formed by applying a resist composition onto a substrate, exposing the resist film, and developing the exposed resist film in an organic solvent developer. The process further involves coating the negative pattern with a shrink agent solution of a polymer comprising recurring units having an acid labile group-substituted hydroxyl and/or carboxyl group in a C7-C16 ester or C8-C16 ketone solvent, baking the coating, and removing the excessive shrink agent via organic solvent development for thereby shrinking the size of spaces in the pattern.

Abstract: A resist composition comprises a metal compound obtained from reaction of a starting metal compound having formula (A-1) or a (partial) hydrolyzate or condensate or (partial) hydrolytic condensate thereof, with a di- or trihydric alcohol having formula (A-2). M(OR1A)4??(A-1) R2A(OH)m??(A-2) In formula (A-1), M is Ti, Zr or Hf, and R1A is alkyl. In formula (A-2), m is 2 or 3, R2A is a divalent group when m=2 or a trivalent group when m=3. The resist composition exhibits improved resolution and edge roughness when processed by the EB or EUV lithography.

Abstract: A polymer capable of increasing alkali solubility under the action of acid, as a base resin is blended with a copolymer comprising recurring units derived from acenaphthylene, indene, benzofuran or benzothiophene and fluorine-containing recurring units, as a polymeric additive to formulate a resist composition. The photoresist film formed using the resist composition is effective for minimizing outgassing therefrom during the EUV lithography. The resist film has a hydrophilic surface and is effective for suppressing formation of blob defects after development.

Abstract: A polymer for resist use is obtainable from a monomer having formula (1) wherein R1 is H, CH3 or CF3 and R2 is H or an acid labile group. A resist composition comprising the polymer displays a high sensitivity and a high dissolution contrast during both alkaline development and organic solvent development.

Abstract: A negative pattern is formed by applying a resist composition onto a substrate, prebaking, exposing to high-energy radiation, PEB, and developing the exposed resist film in an organic solvent developer to dissolve the unexposed region of resist film. The resist composition comprising a polymer adapted to form a lactone ring under the action of an acid so that the polymer may reduce its solubility in an organic solvent displays a high dissolution contrast. A fine hole or trench pattern can be formed therefrom.

Abstract: A negative pattern is formed by applying a resist composition onto a substrate, prebaking, exposing to high-energy radiation, PEB, and developing the exposed resist film in an organic solvent developer to dissolve the unexposed region of resist film. The resist composition is based on a polymer comprising recurring units (a1) of formula (1) wherein R1 is H or CH3, R2 and R3 are H, F or a monovalent hydrocarbon group, R4 is H or a monovalent hydrocarbon group, R5 and R6 are a monovalent hydrocarbon group, X1 is a divalent hydrocarbon group, and k1=0 or 1. A fine hole or trench pattern can be formed therefrom.

Abstract: A negative pattern is formed by coating a resist composition comprising a polymer comprising recurring units of formulae (1) and (2) and a photoacid generator of formula (3) onto a substrate, baking, exposure, PEB and developing in an organic solvent. In formulae (1) and (2), R1 is H, F, CH3 or CF3, Z is a single bond, phenylene, naphthylene, or (backbone)-C(?O)—O—Z?—, Z? is alkylene, phenylene or naphthylene, XA is an acid labile group, YL is H or a polar group. In formula (3), R2 and R3 are a monovalent hydrocarbon group, R4 is a divalent hydrocarbon group, or R2 and R3, or R2 and R4 may form a ring with the sulfur, L is a single bond or a divalent hydrocarbon group, Xa and Xb are H, F or CF3, and k is an integer of 1 to 4.

Abstract: A method of evaluating pancreatic cancer includes (I) an obtaining step of obtaining amino acid concentration data on a concentration value of an amino acid in blood collected from a subject to be evaluated, and (II) an evaluating step of evaluating a state of pancreatic cancer in the subject by calculating a value of a formula using the amino acid concentration data of the subject obtained at the obtaining step and the formula previously established for evaluating the state of pancreatic cancer, including an explanatory variable to be substituted with the concentration value of the amino acid.