Abstract: A resist pattern-forming method capable of forming a resist pattern excellent in pattern collapse resistance in the case of development with the organic solvent in multilayer resist processes. The method has the steps of: (1) providing a resist underlayer film on a substrate using a composition for forming a resist underlayer film; (2) providing a resist film on the resist underlayer film using a photoresist composition; (3) exposing the resist film; and (4) developing the exposed resist film using a developer solution containing no less than 80% by mass of an organic solvent, in which the composition for forming a resist underlayer film contains (A) a component that includes a polysiloxane chain and that has a carboxyl group, a group that can generate a carboxyl group by an action of an acid, an acid anhydride group or a combination thereof.

Abstract: To provide an EUV mask blank provided with a low reflective layer, which has excellent properties as an EUV mask blank. A reflective mask blank for EUV lithography comprising a substrate, and a reflective layer for reflecting EUV light, an absorber layer for absorbing EUV light and a low reflective layer to an inspection light (wavelength: 190 to 260 nm) for a mask pattern, formed in this order on the substrate, wherein the low reflective layer has a stacked structure having a first layer containing at least 95 at % in total of silicon (Si) and nitrogen (N), and a second layer containing at least 95 at % in total of tantalum (Ta), oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N) or a second layer containing at least 95 at % in total of tantalum (Ta) and nitrogen (N), stacked in this order from the absorber layer side.

Abstract: A method of forming patterns includes (a) coating a substrate with a resist composition for negative development to form a resist film, wherein the resist composition contains a resin capable of increasing the polarity by the action of the acid and becomes more soluble in a positive developer and less soluble in a negative developer upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, (b) forming a protective film on the resist film with a protective film composition after forming the resist film and before exposing the resist film, (c) exposing the resist film via an immersion medium, and (d) performing development with a negative developer.

Abstract: A method of forming a patterned film on both a bottom and a top-surface of a deep trench is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: 1) providing a substrate having a deep trench formed therein; 2) growing a film over a bottom and a top-surface of the deep trench; 3) coating a photoresist in the deep trench and over the substrate and baking the photoresist to fully fill the deep trench; 4) exposing the photoresist to form a latent image that partially covers the deep trench in the photoresist; 5) silylating the photoresist with a silylation agent to transform the latent image into a silylation pattern; 6) etching the photoresist to remove a portion of the photoresist not covered by the silylation pattern; and 7) etching the film to form a patterned film on both the bottom and the top-surface of the deep trench.

Abstract: A system and method for forming encoded microparticles is described. One embodiment includes an encoded microparticle, the microparticle comprising a plurality of segments aligned along an axis, wherein the plurality of segments define a code for the microparticle; and an outer cuboid encapsulating the plurality of segments, wherein the plurality of segments are detectable through the outer cuboid.

Abstract: Resist compositions that can be used in immersion lithography without the use of an additional topcoat are disclosed. The resist compositions comprise a photoresist polymer, at least one photoacid generator, a solvent; and a self-topcoating resist additive. A method of forming a patterned material layer on a substrate using the resist composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: Data regarding a first corrected patterns on a single cell corrected such that an evaluation value of a pattern formed on a substrate after an image of a pattern of the single cell is projected onto a resist on the substrate and the resist is developed is obtained for each of a plurality of cells, a first evaluation value obtained by evaluating a projected image of the first corrected pattern on the single cell generated by the projection system is obtained for each of the cells, a second evaluation value obtained by, when the cells are arranged adjacent to one another, evaluating the projected images of the first corrected patterns on the cells is calculated, and creating a second corrected pattern by correcting the first corrected patterns on the cells arranged adjacent to one another such that the second evaluation value becomes close to the first evaluation value.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor product includes applying a photo-resist layer to a substrate, the photo-resist layer including a higher acid concentration at an upper portion of the photo-resist layer than at a lower portion of the photo-resist layer. The method also includes exposing the photo-resist layer to a light source through a mask including a feature, the photo-resist layer including a floating, diffusing acid that will diffuse into a region of the photo-resist layer affected by the feature while not diffusing into a feature formed by the mask.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mask blank substrate for use in lithography, wherein the main surface on which the transfer pattern of the substrate is formed has a root mean square roughness (Rms) of not more than 0.15 nm obtained by measuring an area of 1 ?m×1 ?m with an atomic force microscope, and has a power spectrum density of not more than 10 nm4 at a spatial frequency of not less than 1 ?m?1.

Abstract: There is provided a pattern forming method comprising, in order: (i) a step of forming a film by using an extreme ultraviolet-sensitive resin composition containing (A) a resin having an acid-decomposable group; (ii) a step of exposing the film by using an extreme ultraviolet ray; (iii) a step of heating the film; and (iv) a step of developing the film to form a pattern, wherein in the step (ii), an optical image formed by exposure on the surface of the film is an optical image having a line part with a line width of 20 nm or less as an exposed area or an unexposed area, and, the heating temperature TPEB(° C.) in the step (iii) satisfies the specific formula.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing an atomic layer deposition lithography process are provided in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, a method for forming features on a material layer in a device includes pulsing a first reactant gas mixture to a surface of a substrate disposed in a processing chamber to form a first monolayer of a material layer on the substrate surface, directing an energetic radiation to treat a first region of the first monolayer, and pulsing a second reactant gas mixture to the substrate surface to selectively form a second monolayer on a second region of the first monolayer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new polymers that contain phenolic groups spaced from a polymer backbone and photoacid-labile group. Preferred polymers of the invention are useful as a component of chemically-amplified positive-acting resists.

Abstract: A system and method for photoresists is provided. In an embodiment a cross-linking or coupling reagent is included within a photoresist composition. The cross-linking or coupling reagent will react with the polymer resin within the photoresist composition to cross-link or couple the polymers together, resulting in a polymer with a larger molecular weight. This larger molecular weight will cause the dissolution rate of the photoresist to decrease, leading to a better depth of focus for the line.

Abstract: An EUV mask set and method of manufacturing is disclosed. In one embodiment, a set of EUV mask blanks is inspected to obtain information about defects in each of the EUV mask blanks. From the obtained information, a set of complementary functional portions is determined, wherein each functional portion is assigned to one of the EUV mask blanks and does not contain any of the defects. The functional portions of the EUV mask blanks of the EUV mask blank set complement one another to form a virtual image area corresponding in size to image areas of the EUV mask blanks. A predefined mask pattern is provided on the EUV mask blanks. Information identifying position and shape of the functional portions is used to control an illumination process for imaging the predefined mask pattern onto a target.

Abstract: There is provided an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive composition containing (?) a compound represented by the formula (?I) capable of generating an acid having a size of 200 ?3 or more in volume and (?) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, and the formula (?I) is defined as herein, and a resist film formed using the actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive composition, a resist-coated mask blanks coated with the resist film, a resist pattern forming method comprising exposing the resist film and developing the exposed film, a photomask obtained by exposing and developing the resist-coated mask blanks, a method for manufacturing an electronic device, comprising the resist pattern forming method and an electronic device manufactured by the manufacturing method of an electronic device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing of a conductive member include forming one of a conductive layer including metal nanowires or a light-scattering layer including insulating light-scattering fine particles on a substrate in a pattern shape; and forming the other of the conductive layer including metal nanowires or the light-scattering layer including insulating light-scattering fine particles on a space of the substrate wherein the one of the conductive layer or the light-scattering layer is not formed.

Abstract: There is provided a pattern forming method comprising (i) a step of forming a film by using an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive composition containing (A) a non-polymeric acid-decomposable compound having an aromatic ring and a molecular weight of 500 to 5,000 and (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation; (ii) a step of exposing the film, and (iii) a step of performing development by using an organic solvent-containing developer to form a negative pattern.

Abstract: There is provided an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing a resin (P) having a repeating unit represented by the following Formula (A) and having at least two of a repeating unit represented by the following Formula (B), a repeating unit represented by the following Formula (C), a repeating unit represented by the following Formula (D) and a repeating unit represented by the following Formula (E).

Abstract: A mask includes: a substrate that includes a central area and a peripheral area disposed around the central area; and lenses disposed in rows and columns, in the central area and the peripheral area. The lenses of opposing sides of the peripheral area may be disposed in different rows or columns. For a given amount of input light, the lenses of the peripheral area may focus less light on a substrate than the lenses of the central area. The mask may be disposed over the substrate in different positions, and then the substrate may be irradiated through the mask, while the mask is in each of the positions. The peripheral portion of the mask may be disposed over the same area of the substrate, while the mask is in different ones of the positions.

Abstract: A two-dimensional dense array of contact holes can be printed on a negative photoresist employing a combination of a quadrupole illumination lens and a lithographic mask including a criss-cross pattern of opaque lines. The openings in the quadrupole illumination lens are aligned along the perpendicular directions of the opaque lines. Discrete contact holes can be printed on a negative photoresist employing a combination of a quadrupole illumination lens and a lithographic mask including a criss-cross pattern of opaque subresolution assist features and discrete opaque cross patterns. Alternately, a two-dimensional array of contact holes can be printed on a negative photoresist employing a quadrupole illumination lens and a checkerboard pattern of openings. The openings in the quadrupole illumination lens are in diagonal directions.

Abstract: A photoresist composition including a binder resin including a novolac resin represented by Chemical Formula 1, a diazide photosensitive initiator, and a solvent including a base solvent and an auxiliary solvent, wherein the base solvent includes propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, and the auxiliary solvent includes dimethyl-2-methylglutarate and ethyl beta-ethoxypropionate, wherein in Chemical Formula 1, R1 to R9 are each independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, “a” is an integer number from 0 through 10, “b” is an integer number from 0 through 100, and “c” is an integer number from 1 through 10.

Abstract: Provided is a carbon nanotube-graphene composite comprising a substrate, a graphene layer disposed on the substrate, and a patterned layer of aligned carbon nanotubes disposed on the graphene layer.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of patterning a base. First and second masking features are formed over the base. The first and second masking features include pedestals of carbon-containing material capped with silicon oxynitride. A mask is formed over the second masking features, and the silicon oxynitride caps are removed from the first masking features. Spacers are formed along sidewalls of the first masking features. The mask and the carbon-containing material of the first masking features are removed. Patterns of the spacers and second masking features are transferred into one or more materials of the base to pattern said one or more materials. Some embodiments include patterned bases.

Abstract: There is provided an underlayer coating forming composition for lithography, and an underlayer coating having a high dry etching rate compared with photoresist, and causing no intermixing with the photoresist, which are used in lithography process of manufacture of semiconductor device. Concretely, it is an underlayer coating forming composition for lithography comprising a dextrin ester compound that at least 50% of hydroxy groups in dextrin is converted into ester groups, a crosslinking compound, and an organic solvent.

Abstract: Processes associated apparatus and compositions useful for removing organic substances from substrates, for example, electronic device substrates such as microelectronic wafers or flat panel displays, are provided. Processes are presented that apply a minimum volume of a composition as a coating to the inorganic substrate whereby sufficient heat is added and the organic substances are completely removed by rinsing. The compositions and processes may be suitable for removing and, in some instances, completely dissolving photoresists of the positive and negative varieties as well as thermoset polymers from electronic devices.

Abstract: A thiosulfate polymer composition includes an electron-accepting photosensitizer component, either as a separate compound or as an attachment to the thiosulfate polymer. The thiosulfate polymer composition can be used in methods to form predetermined patterns of metal nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbing hard mask antireflective coating composition comprising a novel polymer, where the novel polymer comprises in the backbone of the polymer four repeat units -A-, -B-, -C- and -D-, where A is repeat unit which comprises a fused aromatic ring in its backbone, B has the structure (1), C is a hydroxylbiphenyl of structure (2) and D is a derivatized fluorene of structure (3), where R1 is C1-C4alkyl, R2 is C1-C4alkyl, R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl, and Ar? and Ar? are independently phenylenic, or naphthalenic derived moieties, R5 and R6 are independently —OH or —CH2)nOH where n=2-4, and R7 and R8 are independently hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl. This invention also relates to a process for forming an image using the novel antireflective coating composition.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a photolithography process having steps of a developing solution immersing process. The steps of the developing solution immersing process includes step (a) of dropping a developing solution on a silicon carbide semiconductor substrate and forming a developing solution film so as to have a film thickness of more than 6 ?m and step (b) of reducing the film thickness of the developing solution film to 6 ?m or less.

Abstract: Disclosed are the deactivation mechanism and chemistry platforms that make high-silicon hardmask films photo-imageable like positive-tone photoresist for microphotolithography. The deactivation mechanism requires a catalyst to promote crosslinking reactions, and a photoacid generator to deactivate the catalyst. The initial hardmask films are soluble in developers. If not radiated, films become insoluble in developers due to crosslinking reactions promoted by catalyst. If radiated, films remain soluble in developers due to deactivation of catalyst by photoacid generator. Compositions of positive-tone photo-imageable hardmask based on the chemistry of polysiloxane and polysilsesquioxanes are disclosed as well. Also disclosed is a method of modifying polysiloxane and polysilsesquioxane films for controlled diffusion of catalysts, photoacid generators, and quenchers.

Abstract: There is provided a pattern forming method comprising (A) forming a film by using an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing a resin containing a repeating unit having a phenol skeleton and a repeating unit having a group capable of decomposing by the action of an acid to produce an alcoholic hydroxy group; (B) exposing the film; and (C) developing the exposed film by using an organic solvent-containing developer.

Abstract: A resist pattern-forming method includes forming a resist coating film using a radiation-sensitive resin composition. The resist coating film is exposed and developed using a developer solution containing no less than 80% by mass of an organic solvent. The radiation-sensitive resin composition includes a polymer component including a polymer having an acid-labile group, and a radiation-sensitive acid generator. The polymer component includes, in an identical polymer or different polymers, a first structural unit having a first hydrocarbon group, and a second structural unit having a second hydrocarbon group. The first hydrocarbon group is an unsubstituted or substituted branched chain group, or the is like. The second hydrocarbon group has an adamantane skeleton. A molar ratio of the second hydrocarbon group to the first hydrocarbon group is less than 1. A proportion of a structural unit having a hydroxyl group in the polymer component is less than 5 mol %.

Abstract: The method for forming a resin cured film pattern according to the invention comprises a first step in which there is formed on a base material a photosensitive layer composed of a photosensitive resin composition comprising a binder polymer with a carboxyl group having an acid value of 75 mgKOH/g or greater, a photopolymerizable compound and a photopolymerization initiator, and having a thickness of 10 ?m or smaller, a second step in which prescribed sections of the photosensitive layer are cured by irradiation with active light rays, and a third step in which the sections of the photosensitive layer other than the prescribed sections are removed to form a cured film pattern of the prescribed sections of the photosensitive layer, wherein the photosensitive resin composition comprises an oxime ester compound and/or a phosphine oxide compound as the photopolymerization initiator.

Abstract: Described is a multi-layer body (1), in particular a transfer film, having a replication lacquer layer and a metallic layer which is arranged on the replication lacquer layer and which has a plurality of microscopically fine pattern regions (14m) and a background region (14d) completely surrounding each of the pattern regions (14m), wherein the pattern regions (14m) are arranged in a raster (14r) of the raster width D and the pattern regions are respectively arranged separated from each other at a spacing B by the background region. Also described is a process for the production of such a multi-layer body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antireflective coating composition comprising a crosslinkable polymer, where the crosslinkable polymer comprises at least one unit of fused aromatic moiety, at least one unit with a phenylene moiety in the backbone of the polymer, and at least one hydroxybiphenyl unit, furthermore where the polymer comprises a crosslinking moiety of structure (4), where R?3, R?3 and R??3 are independently hydrogen or a C1-C4alkyl. The invention further relates to a process for forming an image using the composition.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device in which the alignment accuracy of an immersion exposure device is maintained even when exposure steps are carried out intermittently. In the method, a substrate is placed on a stage of an exposure device (substrate placing step). Then, a first liquid is supplied to between the substrate and the optics system of the exposure device to expose the substrate through the first liquid (exposure step). A second liquid is supplied from a different place from the first liquid to a drainage groove provided around the stage at least in a period other than when the first liquid is supplied onto the stage, in order to suppress change in the temperature of the exposure device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a cell mask pattern disposed in a cell region of a mask substrate and a vernier mask pattern disposed in a vernier region of the mask substrate. The vernier mask pattern includes a variable mask pattern portion to transfer a different shape of pattern depending on the magnitude of exposure energy.

Abstract: There is provided an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, having: (A) a resin having a repeating unit represented by formula (I); (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation; and (C) a resin having at least one repeating unit (x) out of a repeating unit represented by formula (II) and a repeating unit represented by formula (III) and containing substantially neither fluorine atom nor silicon atom, wherein the content of the repeating unit (x) is 90% or more by mole based on all repeating units in the resin (C).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ceramic electronic component, comprising steps of: (i) forming an polymer layer on at least one side of a ceramic green sheet; (ii) forming a thick-film layer by applying a photosensitive paste on the polymer layer; (iii) exposing the thick-film layer to light; (iv) developing the thick-film layer; and (v) heating the ceramic green sheet and the thick-film layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cross-linking agent capable of preventing formation of scum from a bottom anti-reflective coating, and also provides a composition for forming a bottom anti-reflection coating containing the agent. The cross-linking agent is a nitrogen-containing aromatic compound having at least one vinyloxy group or N-methoxymethylamide group, and the composition contains the cross-linking agent. The cross-linking agent of the formula (1) can be produced by reaction of a nitrogen-containing aromatic compound, a halogen compound having a vinyloxy group or N-methoxymethylamide group and a basic compound.

Abstract: An actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition comprises (A) a resin that when acted on by an acid, exhibits an increased solubility in an alkali developer, (B) a compound that when exposed to actinic rays or radiation, generates an acid, (C) a resin containing two or more resins (c) each having at least either a fluorine atom or a silicon atom, and (D) a solvent.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a LED device, comprising a stack of layers comprising a light producing layer the light producing layer not being the top or bottom layer of the stack, wherein a layer at the top or bottom of the stack is subjected to a texturization aimed at enhancing the light extraction efficiency of the LED, wherein the texturization comprises the step of producing on the top or bottom surface a plurality of surface features, the surface features being arranged according to a pattern defined by starting from a regular pattern of features and subjecting each feature of the regular pattern to a deviation from the location in the regular pattern, the deviation being in a random direction and/or having a random amplitude. According to another embodiment, a random deviation is applied to one or more dimensions of the features in the regular pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acid generator generates a sulfonic acid represented by the following general formula (1) in response to high-energy beam or heat: To provide a novel acid generator which is suitably used as an acid generator for a resist composition, which solves the problems of LER and a depth of focus and can be effectively and widely used particularly without degradation of a resolution, a chemically amplified resist composition using the same, and a patterning process.

Abstract: A thin film patterning method may include forming a thin film by coating a precursor solution containing a precursor of metal oxide onto a substrate, soft baking the thin film, exposing the thin film to light by using a photomask, developing the thin film, and hard baking the developed thin film. The precursor may include metal acetate, for example, a zinc acetate-based material, and the metal oxide thin film may include zinc oxide (ZnO).

Abstract: A resist composition for immersion exposure, including: a base component (A) which exhibits changed solubility in an alkali developing solution under action of an acid, and contains no structural unit (c1) represented by the general formula (c1-1) shown below; an acid generator component (B) which generates an acid upon exposure; and a fluorine-containing resin component (C) which contains the structural unit (c1) (in the formula (c1-1), R represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a halogen atom, or a halogenated lower alkyl group; Rf represents a fluorinated alkyl group; and Y0 represents an alkylene group).

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure having an opening is provided. First, a substrate is provided, wherein a first region and a second region are defined on the substrate and an overlapping area of the first region and the second region is defined as a third region. A pattern density of the first region is substantially greater than that of the second region. Then, a material layer is formed on the substrate. A first hard mask and a second hard mask are formed on the material layer. The first hard mask in the first region is removed to form a patterned first hard mask. The second hard mask in the third region is removed to form a patterned second hard mask. Lastly, the material layer is patterned by using the patterned second hard mask layer as a mask to form at least an opening in the third region only.

Abstract: There is provided an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, represented by the formula (Z1), and the formula (Z1) is defined as herein, and a resist film formed using the actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, a pattern forming method comprising a step of forming a film by using the actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, a step of exposing the film, and a step of developing the exposed film, a method for manufacturing an electronic device, comprising the pattern forming method, and an electronic device manufactured by the method for manufacturing an electronic device.

Abstract: Provided is an actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition including a compound that when exposed to actinic rays or radiation, generates any of acids of general formula (I) below.

Abstract: There is provided a pattern forming method, including: (a) forming a film by an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing: (A) a resin capable of increasing polarity by an action of an acid to decrease solubility in an organic solvent-containing developer, (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, (C) a solvent, and (D) a resin, which contains substantially no fluorine atom and silicon atom and is other than the resin (A), (b) exposing the film; and (c) performing development using the organic solvent-containing developer to form a negative type pattern, wherein a receding contact angle of water on the film formed by (a) is 70° or more.

Abstract: There is provided a pattern forming method comprising (1) a step of forming a film by using an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing (A) a resin containing an acid-decomposable repeating unit and being capable of decreasing the solubility for an organic solvent-containing developer by the action of an acid, (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, (C) a compound capable of decomposing by the action of an acid to generate an acid, and (D) a solvent; (2) a step of exposing the film by using an actinic ray or radiation, and (4) a step of developing the exposed film by using an organic solvent-containing developer to form a negative pattern.

Abstract: A composition for formation of upper layer film, which is used for forming an upper layer film on the surface of a photoresist film and which comprises a resin (A) having a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (1-1) and not having a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (1-2), and a resin (B) having a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (1-2) and not having a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (1-1). [In the general formulas (1-1) and (1-2), R1 is hydrogen or the like; R2 is single bonds or the like; and R3 is a fluorine-substituted, linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or the like.] The composition can form an upper layer film giving a sufficiently high receded contact angle.