Abstract: A photoacid generator with sigma-bonded cations may be utilized with certain photolithographic processes to provide desirable absorbance and high quantum efficiency.

Abstract: A thermally decomposable sacrificial material is deposited in a void or opening in a dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate. The thermally decomposable sacrificial material may be removed without damaging or removing the dielectric layer. The thermally decomposable sacrificial material may be a combination of organic and inorganic materials, such as a hydrocarbon-siloxane polymer hybrid.

Abstract: An adhesion promoter to help reduce semiconductor process effects, such as undesired line edge roughness, insufficient lithographical resolution, and limited depth of focus problems associated with the removal of a photoresist layer. A photoactive adhesion promoter (PAG) is described which helps reduce these and other undesired effects associated with the removal of photoresist in a semiconductor manufacturing process.

Abstract: A substrate patterning integration is disclosed to address structural and process limitations of conventional resist patterning over hardmask techniques. A resist layer positioned adjacent a substrate layer is patterned, subsequent to which a hardmask layer is deposited. The hardmask layer may be thinned to expose remaining portions of the patterned resist layer for removal by chemical treatment to expose portions of the underlying substrate layer into which the pattern may be transferred using wet or dry chemical etch techniques.

Abstract: A polymer system for semiconductor applications may be formed by blending a filler material including Zirconia or silica and a polybenzoxazole precursor for a photodefinable polymer. The filler may be chosen so as not to adversely affect the photodefinability of the resulting system and, in some embodiments, may improve the mechanical or chemical properties of the resulting system.

Abstract: A method of forming a device feature using an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) imaging layer (or a sub-deep ultraviolet imaging layer) and one or more other masks layers. The method includes forming a device feature layer; forming a photoresist layer over the device feature layer; forming a contact mask layer (CML) over the photoresist layer; forming an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) imaging layer over the CML; forming a first opening through the EUV imaging layer to expose a first underlying region of the CML; forming a second opening through the CML to expose a second underlying region of the photoresist layer, wherein the second opening is situated directly below the first opening; forming a third opening through the photoresist layer to expose a third underlying region of the device feature layer, wherein the third opening is situated directly below the second opening; forming a fourth opening through the device feature material layer, wherein the fourth opening is situated directly below the third opening.

Abstract: Carborane may be used as a precursor to form low dielectric constant dielectrics. The carborane material may be modified to enable it to be deposited by chemical vapor deposition.