Abstract: A method and intermediate product for structuring a substrate is disclosed. At least one seed layer including a first metal compound is positioned at least partially on the substrate. The seed layer is subjected to a solution comprising ions of a second metal compound. The ions are reduced in the solution by reduction means so that the second metal compound is deposited as mask layer on the seed layer.

Abstract: A method and intermediate product for structuring a substrate is disclosed. At least one seed layer including a first metal compound is positioned at least partially on the substrate. The seed layer is subjected to a solution comprising ions of a second metal compound. The ions are reduced in the solution by reduction means so that the second metal compound is deposited as mask layer on the seed layer.

Abstract: A first embodiment discloses a method of forming a patterned resist layer for patterning a substrate. A resist layer is formed on or above a substrate. An inorganic layer is formed on the resist layer. The resist layer covered with the inorganic layer is lithographically exposed. The resist layer covered with the inorganic layer is patterned by etching, thereby forming a patterned resist layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resist for electron beam lithography and to a process for producing photomasks for optical lithography. The inventive resist includes repeating units that are derived from maleic anhydride and that can act as an anchor group for the subsequent binding of silicon-containing groups. The etch stability of the resist can thus be subsequently increased so that there is no dimensional loss on transfer of the resist structure to a chromium layer arranged under the resist.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of photomasks. A film of a photoresist, as used for structuring semiconductor substrates, for example a CARL resist, is applied to a chromium-coated quartz glass substrate. The photoresist layer is written on by means of a focused electron beam, heated and then developed. The now structured resist is treated with an amplification agent and thus increases in its etch resistance to an oxygen plasma. During etching of the bare chromium sections, the silicon introduced into the photoresist is converted into silicon dioxide, which forms a protective layer on the chromium layer. Thus, the structure written in by means of the electron beam can be transferred without loss into the chromium layer.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for A Post Exposure Bake Of A Resist In a Method for patterning a chemically amplified resist layer, the resist layer is provided on a substrate, the resist layer comprising resist molecules in a first state with a first solubility. Predetermined regions of the resist layer are exposed to a first radiation to generate a catalytic species in the exposed predetermined regions of the resist layer. The resist layer is exposed to a second radiation and resist molecules in the predetermined regions of the resist layer are converted from the first state into a second state with a second solubility, the conversion of a resist molecule being catalyzed by the catalytic species, and the activation energy of the catalyzed conversion of the resist molecule being lowered by the absorption of the second radiation in the resist molecule. The resist layer is developed with a predetermined developer.

Abstract: A photoresist contains a polymer that has no silicon-containing groups. Consequently, no expulsion of silicon-containing compounds in gaseous form occurs on exposure to short-wave radiation. The polymer is obtained by terpolymerization of a first comonomer having a group cleavable under acid catalysis, a second comonomer having an anchor group, and a monounsaturated hydrocarbon, in which individual carbon atoms of the carbon skeleton may also be replaced by oxygen, as a third comonomer. The polymer has a low glass transition temperature, and the photoresist therefore has a good layer quality on film formation and good structurability.

Abstract: Outgassing products, which are formed during the exposure of photoresist systems by laser irradiation, are adsorbed on a proof plate for further analysis.

Abstract: A photoresist includes a polymer having a main chain composed of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms and a polymer chain segment which linked as a side chain to the main chain and whose chain is composed of carbon atoms. The chain composed of carbon atoms includes acid-labile groups, so that the photoresist according to the invention can be constructed as a chemically amplified photoresist.

Abstract: A method for forming a lithography mask on a surface region of a wafer is presented. In one embodiment of the method according to the invention time periods from the end of an exposure operation until the beginning of a thermal aftertreatment for the sections of the semiconductor material region are to be identical or approximately identical.

Abstract: A process for the amplification of structured resists utilizes a reaction between a nucleophilic group and an isocyanate group or thiocyanate group to link an amplification agent to a polymer present in the photoresist. The isocyanate group or the thiocyanate group in addition to the nucleophilic group form a reaction pair. One of the partners is provided on the polymer and the other partner on the amplification agent. The amplification reaction takes place more rapidly than a linkage to carboxylic anhydride groups. Furthermore, the amplification reaction permits the use of polymers that have high transparency at short wavelengths of less than 200 nm, in particular 157 nm.

Abstract: A photoresist includes a polymer which has acid-cleavable groups in its main chain. The polymer can thus be cleaved by acid into short cleavage products which can be removed from the substrate through the use of a developer. The polymer is completely or partially fluorinated, and consequently has an improved transparency to light of short wavelengths.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of photomasks for structuring semiconductors. A resist that contains a polymer having silicon-containing groups is used. During the structuring in an oxygen-containing plasma, the silicon atoms are converted into silica which protects absorber parts arranged under the silica from removal by the plasma.

Abstract: In a process for producing hard masks, an initiator layer that contains an initiator component is applied to a substrate. Then, a photoresist is used to produce a pattern on the initiator layer, in the trenches of which pattern the initiator layer is uncovered. Then, a curable hard mask material is applied and selectively cured, so that only those sections of the hard mask material that adjoin the initiator layer are cured. Finally, uncured hard mask material is removed using a solvent, and at the same time the lands formed from the resist are also removed. The pattern obtained in this way can then be transferred to the substrate, for example using plasma.

Abstract: A chemically amplified photo-resist includes a polymer containing acid-labile radicals attached to a polar group and also contains anchor groups that allow attachment of a consolidating agent. The polymer includes first repeating units containing siloxane groups. The photoresist on the one hand exhibits an enhanced transparency for short-wavelength radiation and on the other hand permits chemical consolidation of the structured resist. A process for producing structured resists is a also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing amplified negative resist structures in which, following exposure and contrasting of the resist, the resist structure is simultaneously developed and aromatized. This substantially simplifies the production of amplified resist structures. Amplifying agents include compounds having not only a reactive group for attachment to an anchor group of the polymer, but also at least one aromatic group.

Abstract: A process for chemically amplifying structured resists includes applying a chemically amplified resist to a substrate and structuring it in a customary manner. Preferably, the amplification agent is applied in an aqueous phase to the structured resist and, after chemical amplification is complete, excess agent is removed by an aqueous wash medium. By using water as a solvent for the amplification agent and as a wash medium, it is possible to avoid organic solvents that constitute an explosion hazard. Furthermore, removal of partially exposed resist sections is suppressed.

Abstract: The outgassing products, which are formed when photoresist systems, are exposed to laser radiation are verified by a mass spectrometer connected to the irradiation chamber.

Abstract: The novel process lends itself to the production of highly resolved resist structures. A resist structure having webs is produced from a photoresist on a substrate and then the sidewalls of the webs are selectively chemically amplified so that chemically amplified sidewall structures are obtained. After the removal of the chemically unamplified sections, the amplified sidewall structures are transferred to the substrate. The process permits a resolution of structures that are not producible using the currently customary exposure wavelengths.

Abstract: Outgassing products, which are formed during the exposure of photoresist systems by laser irradiation, are adsorbed on a proof plate for further analysis.