Abstract: Polymers of reaction products of dihalogens and compounds containing benzimidazole moieties are included in metal electroplating compositions to provide level metal deposits on substrates.

Abstract: Photoresist topcoat compositions, comprising: a first polymer comprising a first repeat unit of general formula (I) and a second repeat unit of general formula (II): wherein: R1 independently represents H, F or optionally fluorinated C1 to C4 alkyl; R2 represents optionally fluorinated linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C20 alkyl; L1 represents a single bond or a multivalent linking group; and n is an integer of from 1 to 5; a second polymer comprising a first repeat unit of general formula (III) and a second repeat unit of general formula (IV): wherein: R3 independently represents H, F or optionally fluorinated C1 to C4 alkyl; R4 represents linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C20 alkyl; R5 represents linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C20 fluoroalkyl; L2 represents a single bond or a multivalent linking group; and n is an integer of from 1 to 5; and a solvent. Coated substrates coated with the described topcoat compositions and methods of processing a photoresist composition are also provided.

Abstract: Si-containing film forming compositions comprising Si—C free and volatile silazane-containing precursors are disclosed. The compositions may be used to deposit high purity thin films. The Si—C free and volatile silazane-containing precursors have the formulae: [(SiR3)2NSiH2]m—NH2-m—C?N, with m=1 or 2;??(a) [(SiR3)2NSiH2]n—NL3-n,with n=2 or 3;??(b) (SiH3)2NSiH2—O—SiH2N(SiH3)2; and??(c) (SiR?3)2N—SiH2—N(SiR?3)2;??(d) with each R independently selected from H, a dialkylamino group, or an amidinate; each R? independently selected from H, a dialkylamino group, or an amidinate, with the provision that all R? are not H; and L is selected from H or a C1-C6 hydrocarbyl group.

Abstract: Copper electroplating baths and methods enable the plating of photoresist defined megafeatures at high current densities which have substantially uniform morphology and reduced nodule development. The copper electroplating baths include a mixture of heterocyclic nitrogen containing copolymers which provide megafeatures having a good % TIR and % WID balance.

Abstract: Reaction products of heterocyclic nitrogen compounds, polyepoxide compounds and polyhalogen compounds may be used as levelers in metal electroplating baths, such as copper electroplating baths, to provide good throwing power. Such reaction products may plate metal with good surface properties and good physical reliability.

Abstract: Compositions for forming thin, silicon-containing antireflective coatings and methods of using these compositions in the manufacture of electronic devices are provided. Silicon-containing antireflective coatings formed from these compositions can be easily removed during processing without the need for a separate removal step.

Abstract: Acid generators comprising a carbocyclic or heteroaromatic group substituted with at least one diester moiety are provided. These acid generators are particularly useful as a photoresist composition component.

Abstract: New lithographic processing methods are provided which are particularly useful in immersion lithography schemes. In one aspect, processes of the invention comprise: applying on a substrate a photoresist composition; exposing the photoresist layer to radiation activating for the photoresist composition; removing a portion but not all of the exposed photoresist layer; and developing the treated photoresist layer to provide a photoresist relief image.

Abstract: Provided are methods of trimming a photoresist pattern. The methods comprise: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate; (b) forming a photoresist pattern on the substrate, wherein the photoresist pattern is formed from a chemically amplified photoresist composition comprising: a matrix polymer comprising an acid labile group; a photoacid generator; and a solvent; (c) coating a photoresist trimming composition on the substrate over the photoresist pattern, wherein the trimming composition comprises: a matrix polymer, an aromatic acid that is free of fluorine; and a solvent; (d) heating the coated substrate, thereby causing a change in polarity of the photoresist matrix polymer in a surface region of the photoresist pattern; and (e) contacting the photoresist pattern with a rinsing agent to remove the surface region of the photoresist pattern, thereby forming a trimmed photoresist pattern. The methods find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Pattern treatment methods comprise: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a patterned feature on a surface thereof; (b) applying a pattern treatment composition to the patterned feature, wherein the pattern treatment composition comprises a polymer comprising a surface attachment group for forming a bond with a surface of the patterned feature and a solvent, and wherein the pattern treatment composition is free of crosslinkers; (c) removing residual pattern treatment composition from the substrate with a first rinse agent, leaving a coating of the polymer over and bonded to the surface of the patterned feature; and (d) rinsing the polymer-coated patterned feature with a second rinse agent that is different from the first rinse agent, wherein the polymer has a solubility that is greater in the first rinse agent than in the second rinse agent. The methods find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices for providing high resolution patterns.

Abstract: Walls of through-holes and vias of substrates with dielectric material are electroless plated with copper using tin-free ionic silver catalysts. Conductive polymers are first formed on the substrates by treating the substrates with a permanganate solution containing complexing anions followed by applying monomers, oligomers or conductive polymers to the substrate to form a conductive polymer coating on the dielectric of the substrate as well as on the walls of through-holes and vias of the substrate. A tin-free ionic silver catalyst is then applied to the treated substrate. Optionally, the tin-free ionic silver catalyst can include a ligand agent to form a coordination entity with the silver ions of the tin-free catalyst. The silver ions of the tin-free catalyst are reduced by the conductive polymer and then an electroless metal copper bath is applied to the treated substrate to copper plate the dielectric and walls of the through-holes and vias of the substrate.

Abstract: Pulse plating methods which include a forward pulse but no reverse pulse inhibit or reduce dimpling and voids during copper electroplating of through-holes in substrates such as printed circuit boards. The pulse plating methods may be used to fill through-holes with copper where the through-holes are coated with electroless copper or flash copper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to customized implants for bone replacement that are prepared from poly(ether ketone ketone) or PEKK, and to a computer-based imaging and rapid prototyping (RP)-based manufacturing method for the design and manufacture of these customized implants. The PEKK customized implants made using rapid prototyping demonstrate biomechanical properties similar (if not identical) to that of natural bone even when prepared without the use of processing aids such as carbon black and aluminum powder.

Abstract: A pattern treatment method, comprising: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a patterned feature on a surface thereof; (b) applying a pattern treatment composition to the patterned feature, wherein the pattern treatment composition comprises: a block copolymer and an organic solvent, wherein the block copolymer comprises: (i) a first block comprising a first unit formed from 4-vinyl-pyridine, and (ii) a second block comprising a first unit formed from a vinyl aromatic monomer; and (c) removing residual pattern shrink composition from the substrate, leaving a coating of the block copolymer over the surface of the patterned feature, thereby providing a reduced pattern spacing as compared with a pattern spacing of the patterned feature prior to coating the pattern treatment composition. The methods find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices for providing high resolution patterns.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and synthetic biology approaches for solvent production, including but not limited to butanol production. Described herein are recombinant bacteria and yeast strains which may be used in production of a solvent, including but not limited to butanol, from lignocellulosic and other plant-based feedstocks. Described herein are methods of producing solvents, including but not limited to butanol, using bacteria and yeast strains. Described herein are methods of producing organisms that display highly efficient butanol production.

Abstract: Arylcyclobutene polymers having improved physical properties, such as tensile strength, are provided. Compositions and methods for coating such arylcyclobutene polymers are also provided.

Abstract: Wet-strippable underlayer compositions comprising one or more silicon-containing polymers comprising a backbone comprising Si—O linkages, one or more organic blend polymers, and a cure catalyst are provided. These compositions are useful in the manufacture of various electronic devices.

Abstract: Reaction products of primary and secondary diamines and bisanhydrides are included as additives in metal electroplating baths. The metal electroplating baths have good throwing power and deposit metal layers having substantially planar surfaces. The metal plating baths may be used to deposit metal on substrates with surface features such as through-holes and vias.

Abstract: Electroplating methods enable the plating of photoresist defined features which have substantially uniform morphology. The electroplating methods include copper electroplating baths with reaction products of pyridyl alkylamines and bisepoxides to electroplate the photoresist defined features. Such features include pillars, bond pads and line space features.

Abstract: Electroplating methods enable the plating of photoresist defined features which have substantially uniform morphology. The electroplating methods include copper electroplating baths with reaction products of imidazole and bisepoxides to electroplate the photoresist defined features. Such features include pillars, bond pads and line space features.