Abstract: A curable liquid formulation comprising: (i) one or more near-infrared absorbing polymethine dyes; (ii) one or more crosslinkable polymers; and (iii) one or more casting solvents. The invention is also directed to solid near-infrared absorbing films composed of crosslinked forms of the curable liquid formulation. The invention is also directed to a microelectronic substrate containing a coating of the solid near-infrared absorbing film as well as a method for patterning a photoresist layer coated on a microelectronic substrate in the case where the near-infrared absorbing film is between the microelectronic substrate and a photoresist film.

Abstract: An silicon-containing antireflective coating (SiARC) material is applied on a substrate. The SiARC material which includes a base polymer and may include a boron silicate polymer including silsesquioxane. An etch sequence is utilized, which includes a first wet etch employing a basic solution, a second wet etch employing an acidic solution, and a third wet etch employing another basic solution. The first wet etch can be employed to break up the boron silicate polymer, and the second wet etch can remove the base polymer material, and the third wet etch can remove the residual boron silicate polymer and other residual materials. The SiARC material can be removed from a substrate employing the etch sequence, and the substrate can be reused for monitoring purposes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of forming a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a set of shapes on top of a substrate; applying a layer of copolymer covering the substrate; causing the copolymer to form a plurality of cylindrical blocks both inside and outside the shapes; forming a pattern of contact holes from the plurality of cylindrical blocks; and transferring the pattern of contact holes to the substrate to form the semiconductor structure. In one embodiment, the shapes are rings and forming the set of shapes includes forming a set of rings that are equally and squarely spaced. In another embodiment, causing the copolymer to form the plurality of cylindrical blocks includes forming only one cylindrical block inside each of the rings and only one cylindrical block outside every four (4) squarely neighboring rings.

Abstract: A silicon-containing antireflective coating formulation comprising: (i) an aqueous base insoluble organosilicon component having a multiplicity of hydrocarbon groups derivatized with hydroxy groups in the absence of Si—O—C and Si—O—H moieties; (ii) a vinylether component having a multiplicity of vinylether groups; and (iii) a casting solvent. Also disclosed is a method for converting the silicon-containing antireflective coating formulation into a crosslinked silicon-containing antireflective film comprising organosilicon units interconnected by acetal or ketal groups. The method entails (a) coating a substrate with the silicon-containing antireflective coating formulation and (b) heating the coated substrate to a temperature at which crosslinking between the organosilicon silicon component and vinylether component occurs.

Abstract: A process for patterning a hard mask material with line-space patterns below a 30 nm pitch and a 15 nm critical dimension by employing a spin-on titanium-silicon (TiSi) polymer or oligomer as a tone inversion material is provided. The spin-on TiSi material is spin-coated over a patterned OPL that includes a first pattern generated from a DSA based process. The spin-on TiSi material fill trenches within the patterned OPL to form a tone inverted pattern by removing the patterned OPL selective to the spin-on TiSi material. The inverted pattern is a complementary pattern to the first pattern, and is transferred into the underlying hard mask material by an anisotropic etch.

Abstract: A process for patterning a hard mask material with line-space patterns below a 30 nm pitch and a 15 nm critical dimension by employing a spin-on titanium-silicon (TiSi) polymer or oligomer as a tone inversion material is provided. The spin-on TiSi material is spin-coated over a patterned OPL that includes a first pattern generated from a DSA based process. The spin-on TiSi material fill trenches within the patterned OPL to form a tone inverted pattern by removing the patterned OPL selective to the spin-on TiSi material. The inverted pattern is a complementary pattern to the first pattern, and is transferred into the underlying hard mask material by an anisotropic etch.

Abstract: A method to mitigate resist pattern critical dimension (CD) variation in a double-exposure process generally includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate; exposing the photoresist layer to a first radiation; developing the photoresist layer to form a first pattern in the photoresist layer; forming a topcoat layer over the photoresist layer; exposing the topcoat layer and the photoresist layer to a second radiation; removing the topcoat layer; and developing the photoresist layer to form a second pattern in the photoresist layer.

Abstract: A process for patterning a hard mask material with line-space patterns below a 30 nm pitch and a 15 nm critical dimension by employing a spin-on titanium-silicon (TiSi) polymer or oligomer as a tone inversion material is provided. The spin-on TiSi material is spin-coated over a patterned OPL that includes a first pattern generated from a DSA based process. The spin-on TiSi material fill trenches within the patterned OPL to form a tone inverted pattern by removing the patterned OPL selective to the spin-on TiSi material. The inverted pattern is a complementary pattern to the first pattern, and is transferred into the underlying hard mask material by an anisotropic etch.

Abstract: A method that forms a film of photoresist composition on a substrate and exposes a first and second region of the film to radiation through a first and second mask having a first and second image pattern, respectively. The photoresist composition includes a polymer comprising at least one acid labile group, a photosensitive acid generator capable of generating a first amount of acid upon exposure to a first dose of radiation and of generating a second amount of acid upon exposure to a second dose of radiation, and a photosensitive base generator capable of generating a first amount of base upon exposure to the first dose of radiation and of generating a second amount of base upon exposure to the second dose of radiation. The photosensitive acid generator includes (trifluoro-methylsulfonyloxy)-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboximide (MDT), N-hydroxy-naphthalimide dodecane sulfonate (DDSN), or a combination thereof. The photosensitive base generator includes a quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: A composition comprising (A) a near-infrared absorbing dye of formula (1), (B) a polymer, and (C) a solvent is used to form a near-infrared absorptive layer. In formula (1), R1 and R2 are a monovalent hydrocarbon group which may contain a heteroatom, k is 0 to 5, m is 0 or 1, n is 1 or 2, Z is oxygen, sulfur or C(R?)(R?), R? and R? are hydrogen or a monovalent hydrocarbon group which may contain a heteroatom, and X? is an anion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a developable bottom antireflective coating (BARC) composition and a pattern forming method using the BARC composition. The BARC composition includes a first polymer having a first carboxylic acid moiety, a hydroxy-containing alicyclic moiety, and a first chromophore moiety; a second polymer having a second carboxylic acid moiety, a hydroxy-containing acyclic moiety, and a second chromophore moiety; a crosslinking agent; and a radiation sensitive acid generator. The first and second chromophore moieties each absorb light at a wavelength from 100 nm to 400 nm. In the patterning forming method, a photoresist layer is formed over a BARC layer of the BARC composition. After exposure, unexposed regions of the photoresist layer and the BARC layer are selectively removed by a developer to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The BARC composition and the pattern forming method are especially useful for implanting levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a developable bottom antireflective coating (BARC) composition and a pattern forming method using the BARC composition. The BARC composition includes a first polymer having a first carboxylic acid moiety, a hydroxy-containing alicyclic moiety, and a first chromophore moiety; a second polymer having a second carboxylic acid moiety, a hydroxy-containing acyclic moiety, and a second chromophore moiety; a crosslinking agent; and a radiation sensitive acid generator. The first and second chromophore moieties each absorb light at a wavelength from 100 nm to 400 nm. In the patterning forming method, a photoresist layer is formed over a BARC layer of the BARC composition. After exposure, unexposed regions of the photoresist layer and the BARC layer are selectively removed by a developer to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The BARC composition and the pattern forming method are especially useful for implanting levels.

Abstract: Embodiments include a silicon-containing antireflective material including a silicon-containing base polymer, a non-polymeric silsesquioxane material, and a photoacid generator. The silicon-containing base polymer may contain chromophore moieties, transparent moieties, and reactive sites on an SiOx background, where x ranges from approximately 1 to approximately 2. Exemplary non-polymeric silsesquioxane materials include polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes having acid labile side groups linked to hydrophilic groups Exemplary acid labile side groups may include tertiary alkyl carbonates, tertiary alkyl esters, tertiary alkyl ethers, acetals and ketals, Exemplary hydrophilic groups may include phenols, alcohols, carboxylic acids, amides, and sulfonamides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid photoresist composition for improved resolution and a pattern forming method using the photoresist composition. The photoresist composition includes a radiation sensitive acid generator, a crosslinking agent and a polymer having a hydrophobic monomer unit and a hydrophilic monomer unit containing a hydroxyl group. At least some of the hydroxyl groups are protected with an acid labile moiety having a low activation energy. The photoresist is capable of producing a hybrid response to a single exposure. The patterning forming method utilizes the hybrid response to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The photoresist composition and the pattern forming method of the present invention are useful for printing small features with precise image control, particularly spaces of small dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a developable bottom antireflective coating (BARC) composition and a pattern forming method using the BARC composition. The BARC composition includes a first polymer having a first carboxylic acid moiety, a hydroxy-containing alicyclic moiety, and a first chromophore moiety; a second polymer having a second carboxylic acid moiety, a hydroxy-containing acyclic moiety, and a second chromophore moiety; a crosslinking agent; and a radiation sensitive acid generator. The first and second chromophore moieties each absorb light at a wavelength from 100 nm to 400 nm. In the patterning forming method, a photoresist layer is formed over a BARC layer of the BARC composition. After exposure, unexposed regions of the photoresist layer and the BARC layer are selectively removed by a developer to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The BARC composition and the pattern forming method are especially useful for implanting levels.

Abstract: A method that forms a film of photoresist composition on a substrate and exposes a first and second region of the film to radiation through a first and second mask having a first and second image pattern, respectively. The photoresist composition includes a polymer comprising at least one acid labile group, a photosensitive acid generator capable of generating a first amount of acid upon exposure to a first dose of radiation and of generating a second amount of acid upon exposure to a second dose of radiation, and a photosensitive base generator capable of generating a first amount of base upon exposure to the first dose of radiation and of generating a second amount of base upon exposure to the second dose of radiation. The photosensitive acid generator includes (trifluoro-methylsulfonyloxy)-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboximide (MDT), N-hydroxy-naphthalimide dodecane sulfonate (DDSN), or a combination thereof. The photosensitive base generator includes a quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photoresist composition capable of negative development and a pattern forming method using the photoresist composition. The photoresist composition includes an imaging polymer, a crosslinking agent and a radiation sensitive acid generator. The imaging polymer includes a monomeric unit having an acid-labile moiety-substituted hydroxyl group. The patterning forming method utilizes an organic solvent developer to selectively remove an unexposed region of a photoresist layer of the photoresist composition to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The photoresist composition and the pattern forming method are especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography.

Abstract: A composition is provided. The composition includes a polymer and a photosensitive acid generator capable of generating a first amount of acid upon exposure to a first dose of radiation and a second amount of acid upon exposure to a second dose of radiation. The second amount of acid is greater than the first amount of acid. The second dose is greater than the first dose. The composition includes a photosensitive base generator capable of generating a first amount of base upon exposure to the first dose and a second amount of base upon exposure to the second dose, where the first amount of base is greater than the first amount of acid and the second amount of base is less than the second amount of acid. The photosensitive base generator may include benzoin carbamates, O-carbamoylhydroxylamines, O-carbamoyloximes, aromatic sulfonamides, ?-lactones, N-(2-Arylethenyl)amides, azides, amides, oximines, quaternary ammonium salts, or amineimides.

Abstract: An silicon-containing antireflective coating (SiARC) material is applied on a substrate. The SiARC material which includes a base polymer and may include a boron silicate polymer including silsesquioxane. An etch sequence is utilized, which includes a first wet etch employing a basic solution, a second wet etch employing an acidic solution, and a third wet etch employing another basic solution. The first wet etch can be employed to break up the boron silicate polymer, and the second wet etch can remove the base polymer material, and the third wet etch can remove the residual boron silicate polymer and other residual materials. The SiARC material can be removed from a substrate employing the etch sequence, and the substrate can be reused for monitoring purposes.

Abstract: Embodiments include a silicon-containing antireflective material including a silicon-containing base polymer, a non-polymeric silsesquioxane material, and a photoacid generator. The silicon-containing base polymer may contain chromophore moieties, transparent moieties, and reactive sites on an SiOx background, where x ranges from approximately 1 to approximately 2. Exemplary non-polymeric silsesquioxane materials include polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes having acid labile side groups linked to hydrophilic groups Exemplary acid labile side groups may include tertiary alkyl carbonates, tertiary alkyl esters, tertiary alkyl ethers, acetals and ketals, Exemplary hydrophilic groups may include phenols, alcohols, carboxylic acids, amides, and sulfonamides.