Abstract: The invention provides a high molecular weight silicone compound comprising recurring units of formula (1) and having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000-50,000. Some or all of the hydrogen atoms of carboxyl groups or carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in the silicone compound may be replaced by acid labile groups. Z is a di- to hexavalent, non-aromatic, monocyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon or bridged cyclic hydrocarbon group; Z is a di- to hexavalent, normal or branched hydrocarbon group or non-aromatic, monocyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon or bridged cyclic hydrocarbon group; x, y and z are integers of 1-5 corresponding to the valence of Z and Z′; R1 is —OCHR—R′—OH or —NHCHR—R′—OH; R2 is alkyl or alkenyl or a monovalent, non-aromatic, polycyclic hydrocarbon or bridged cyclic hydrocarbon group; p1, p2, p3 and p4 are 0 or positive numbers.

Abstract: A halftone phase shift mask blank has a phase shifter film on a transparent substrate. The phase shifter film is composed of a metal silicide compound containing Mo, at least one metal selected from Ta, Zr, Cr and W, and at least one element selected from O, N and C. The halftone phase shift mask blank has improved processability and high resistance to chemicals, especially to alkaline chemicals.

Abstract: Silicon-containing polymers comprising recurring units of formula (1) are novel wherein R1 is a single bond or alkylene, R2 is hydrogen or alkyl, R3, R4 and R5 are alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl or silicon-containing group, R6 is hydrogen, methyl, cyano or —C(═O)OR8 wherein R8 is hydrogen, alkyl or acid labile group, R7 is alkyl, —NR9R10 or —OR11 wherein R9, R10 and R11 are hydrogen or alkyl, a and b are positive numbers satisfying 0<a+b≦1. Resist compositions comprising the polymers are sensitive to high-energy radiation and have a high sensitivity and resolution at a wavelength of less than 300 nm and improved resistance to oxygen plasma etching.

Abstract: Silicon-containing polymers comprising recurring units of three components represented by the general formula (1) are novel wherein R1, R2 and R3 are hydrogen or C1-10 alkyl, R4, R5 and R6 are hydrogen, C1-20 alkyl or haloalkyl, or C6-20 aryl, R7 is C4-20 alkyl, n is 1 to 5, p, q and r are positive numbers. Resist compositions comprising the polymers are sensitive to high-energy radiation and have a high sensitivity and resolution at a wavelength of less than 300 nm and improved resistance to oxygen plasma etching.

Abstract: Polymers comprising recurring units of formula (1) are provided wherein R1 is a straight, branched or cyclic divalent C1-20 hydrocarbon group or a bridged cyclic hydrocarbon group, R is hydrogen atom or an acid labile group, 0≦m≦3, 0≦n≦3 and 0≦m+n≦6. Using the polymers, chemical amplification positive resist compositions featuring low absorption of F2 excimer laser light are obtained.

Abstract: The cooling efficiency of a refrigerating chamber and a storage chamber is improved, and the cooling capability is prevented from degrading. A horizontal refrigerator 10 is comprised of an underlying refrigerator body 11 and an overlying show-case 12. The show-case 12 disposed on the top surface of a thermally insulated box 16 of the refrigerator body 11 is comprised of an outer box 37, an inner box 38 disposed within the outer box 37 spaced by a necessary space therefrom, and a heat insulating material 39 filled between both boxes 37, 38, and an opening 12a is formed only in a top portion. The opening 12a is opened and closed by a plurality of slidable doors 45. A cooling pipe 47 connected to a refrigerating mechanism is disposed in a meander form in contact with the outer surface on the insulating material side in the bottom and rear portions of the inner box 38, such that the entire inner box 38 is cooled by circulation of a coolant supplied from the refrigerating mechanism.

Abstract: A resist composition comprising a hydrogenated product of ring-opening metathesis polymer and a poly(meth)acrylic acid derivative as a base resin is sensitive to high-energy radiation, has excellent sensitivity, resolution, and etch resistance, and lends itself to micropatterning with electron beams or deep-UV.

Abstract: Novel silicon-containing polymers are obtained by copolymerizing a vinylsilane monomer with a compound having a low electron density unsaturated bond such as maleic anhydride, maleimide derivatives or tetrafluoroethylene. Using the polymers, chemical amplification positive resist compositions sensitive to high-energy radiation and having a high sensitivity and resolution at a wavelength of less than 300 nm and improved resistance to oxygen plasma etching are obtained.

Abstract: A resist composition comprising a dendritic or hyperbranched polymer of a phenol derivative having a weight average molecular weight of 500-10,000,000 has an excellent resolution, reduced line edge roughness, and dry etching resistance and is useful as a chemical amplification type resist composition which may be either positive or negative working.

Abstract: The cooling efficiency of a refrigerating chamber and a storage chamber is improved, and the cooling capability is prevented from degrading.

Abstract: A dendritic or hyperbranched polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 500-10,000,000 is prepared by polymerizing a hydroxystyrene derivative, adding a branching monomer midway in the polymerization step to introduce branch chains, and repeating the polymerizing and branching steps. The polymer is advantageously used as the base resin of resist material because the size of the polymer can be reduced while maintaining strength.

Abstract: The invention provides a high molecular weight silicone compound comprising recurring units of formula (1) and having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000-50,000. Some or all of the hydrogen atoms of carboxyl groups or carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in the silicone compound may be replaced by acid labile groups.

Abstract: Polymers comprising recurring units of formula (1) are provided wherein R1 is a straight, branched or cyclic divalent C1-20 hydrocarbon group or a bridged cyclic hydrocarbon group, R is hydrogen atom or an acid labile group, 0≦m≦3, 0≦n≦3 and 0≦m+n≦6.

Abstract: A chemically amplified positive resist composition contains (A) an organic solvent, (B) a base resin in the form of a polymer having at least one acid labile group and crosslinked within a molecule and/or between molecules with a crosslinking group having a C—O—C linkage, the polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000-500,000, (C) a photoacid generator, (D) a basic compound, and (E) an aromatic compound having a group ≡C—COOH in a molecule. The composition has a high alkali dissolution contrast, high sensitivity and high resolution.

Abstract: A chemically amplified positive resist composition contains (A) an organic solvent, (B) a base resin in the form of a polymer having at least one acid labile group and crosslinked within a molecule and/or between molecules with a crosslinking group having a C—O—C linkage, the polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000-500,000, (C) a photoacid generator, (D) a basic compound, and (E) an aromatic compound having a group ≡C—COOH in a molecule. The composition has a high alkali dissolution contrast, high sensitivity and high resolution.

Abstract: The invention provides a high molecular weight silicone compound comprising recurring units of formula (1) and having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000-50,000. Some or all of the hydrogen atoms of carboxyl groups or carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in the silicone compound may be replaced by acid labile groups. Z is di- to hexavalent, non-aromatic, monocyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon or bridged cyclic hydrocarbon group; Z′ is a di- to hexavalent, normal or branched hydrocarbon group or non-aromatic, monocyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon or bridged cyclic hydrocarbon group; x, y and z are integers of 1-5 corresponding to the valence of Z and Z′; R1 is —OCHR—R′ —OH or —NHCHR—R′ —OH; R2 is alkyl or alkenyl or a monovalent, non-aromatic, polycyclic hydrocarbon or bridged cyclic hydrocarbon group; p1, p2, p3 and p4 are 0 or positive numbers.

Abstract: A hydroxystyrene-(meth)acrylate copolymer in which some phenolic hydroxyl groups are crosslinked with acid labile groups is blended as a base resin in a positive resist composition, which has the advantages of enhanced dissolution inhibition and an increased dissolution contrast after exposure.

Abstract: A polymer comprising recurring units of formula (1) is provided wherein some hydrogen atoms of phenolic hydroxyl groups and/or carboxyl groups are replaced by acid labile groups. The polymer is crosslinked with a crosslinking group having a C--O--C linkage resulting from reaction of some of the remaining phenolic hydroxyl groups and/or carboxyl groups with an alkenyl ether compound or halogenated alkyl ether compound. The amount of the acid labile group and the crosslinking group combined is on the average from more than 0 mol % to 80 mol % of the entirety of the phenolic hydroxyl group and carboxyl group. The polymer has Mw of 1,000-500,000. R.sup.1 is H or methyl, R.sup.2 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, R.sup.3 is H, R.sup.4 is --COOR.sup.5, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl or phenyl, or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, taken together, may form --COOCO--, R.sup.5 is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, x and y are integers satisfying x+y.ltoreq.5, p and q are positive numbers satisfying p+q=1 and 0<q/(p+q).ltoreq.0.9.