Abstract: Pattern treatment compositions comprise a block copolymer and an organic solvent. The block copolymer comprises a first block and a second block. The first block comprises a unit formed from a first monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group and a hydrogen acceptor group, wherein the hydrogen acceptor group is a nitrogen-containing group. The second block comprises a unit formed from a second monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group and a cyclic aliphatic group. Wherein: (i) the second block comprises a unit formed from a third monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group, and the second monomer and the third monomer are different; and/or (ii) the block copolymer comprises a third block comprising a unit formed from a fourth monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group, wherein the fourth monomer is different from the first monomer and the second monomer.

Abstract: Methods of forming an electronic device, comprising in sequence: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate comprising one or more layers to be patterned; (b) forming a photoresist layer over the one or more layers to be patterned, wherein the photoresist layer is formed from a composition that comprises: a matrix polymer comprising a unit having an acid labile group; a photoacid generator; and an organic solvent; (c) coating a photoresist overcoat composition over the photoresist layer, wherein the overcoat composition comprises a quenching polymer and an organic solvent, wherein the quenching polymer comprises a unit having a basic moiety effective to neutralize acid generated by the photoacid generator in a surface region of photoresist layer; (d) exposing the photoresist layer to activating radiation; (e) heating the substrate in a post-exposure bake process; and (f) developing the exposed film with an organic solvent developer.

Abstract: Electroless copper plating baths include alternative reducing agents to the conventional reducing agents currently used in the electroless plating industry. The electroless copper baths are stable and deposit a salmon bright copper deposit on substrates. Exclusion of many environmentally unfriendly conventional reducing agents enables environmentally friendly electroless copper plating baths.

Abstract: New onium salt compounds and methods for synthesis of such compounds are provided. Preferred methods of the invention include (a) providing an onium salt compound comprising a sulfonate component having an electron withdrawing group; and (b) treating the onium salt compound with a halide salt to form a distinct salt of the onium compound. The present onium compounds are useful as an acid generator component of a photoresist composition.

Abstract: Photoresist pattern trimming compositions are provided. The compositions comprise: a matrix polymer, an aromatic sulfonic acid and a solvent, wherein the aromatic sulfonic acid comprises one or more fluorinated alcohol group. Also provided are methods of trimming a photoresist pattern using the trimming compositions. The compositions and methods find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices.

Abstract: New photoresist compositions are provided that are useful for immersion lithography. Preferred photoresist compositions of the invention comprise one or more materials that have base-reactive groups. Particularly preferred photoresists of the invention can exhibit reduced leaching of resist materials into an immersion fluid contacting the resist layer during immersion lithography processing.

Abstract: New photoresist compositions are provided that are useful for immersion lithography. Preferred photoresist compositions of the invention comprise one or more materials that can be substantially non-mixable with a resin component of the resist. Further preferred photoresist compositions of the invention comprise 1) Si substitution, 2) fluorine substitution; 3) hyperbranched polymers; and/or 4) polymeric particles. Particularly preferred photoresists of the invention can exhibit reduced leaching of resist materials into an immersion fluid contacting the resist layer during immersion lithography processing.

Abstract: A system and method provides a piezoelectric stack arrangement for reduced driving voltage while maintaining a driving level for active piezoelectric materials. A stack arrangement of d36 shear mode <011>single crystals of both air X-cut and Y-cut ±1:45° (±20°) arrangement are bonded with discrete conductive pillars to form a shear crystal stack. The bonding area between the neighboring crystal parts is minimized. The bonding pillars are positioned at less than a total surface are of the single crystal forming the stack. The stack fabrication is facilitated with a precision assembly system, where crystal parts are placed to desired locations on an assembly fixture for alignment following the preset operation steps. With the reduced clamping effect from bonding due to lower surface coverage of the discrete conductive pillars, such a piezoelectric d36 shear crystal stack exhibits a reduced driving voltage while maintaining a driving level and substantial and surprisingly improved performance.

Abstract: A composite material that increases in temperature upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation includes single crystal silicon carbide whiskers and fibrils in a matrix material. Also disclosed are heat-generating objects that include the composite material, and a method of generating heat.

Abstract: In a first aspect, methods are provided that comprise: (a) applying a curable composition on a substrate; (b) applying a hardmask composition above the curable composition; (c) applying a photoresist composition layer above the hard mask composition, wherein one or more of the compositions are removed in an ash-free process. In a second aspect, methods are provided that comprise (a) applying an organic composition on a substrate; (b) applying a photoresist composition layer above the organic composition, wherein the organic composition comprises a material that produce an alkaline-soluble group upon thermal and/or radiation treatment. Related compositions also are provided.

Abstract: Pyrimidine derivatives which contain one or more electron donating groups on the ring are used as catalytic metal complexing agents in aqueous alkaline environments to catalyze electroless metal plating on metal clad and un-clad substrates. The catalysts are monomers and free of tin and antioxidants.

Abstract: Pattern treatment compositions comprise a block copolymer and an organic solvent. The block copolymer comprises a first block and a second block. The first block comprises a unit formed from a first monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group and a hydrogen acceptor group, wherein the hydrogen acceptor group is a nitrogen-containing group. The second block comprises a unit formed from a second monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group and an aromatic group, provided that the second monomer is not styrene. Wherein: (i) the second block comprises a unit formed from a third monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group, and the second monomer and the third monomer are different; and/or (ii) the block copolymer comprises a third block comprising a unit formed from a fourth monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group. Also provided are pattern treatment methods using the described compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to reduce mixtures of at least one metal halide by molten metal reduction of the liquid phase metal halide in an alkali or alkaline earth metal to form a reaction product comprising at least one metal mixture and a halide salt coating, in which the at least one metal halide is in stoichiometric excess to the molten metal reductant and wherein the reductant is consumed in the reaction and does not need to be removed at the end of the reaction.

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 block copolymer and a solvent, wherein the block copolymer comprises a first block and a second block, wherein the first block comprises a unit formed from a first monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group and a hydrogen acceptor group, wherein the hydrogen acceptor group is a nitrogen-containing group, and the second block comprises a unit formed from a second monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group and a cyclic aliphatic group; and (c) rinsing residual pattern treatment composition from the substrate, leaving a portion of the block copolymer bonded to the patterned feature. The methods find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices for providing high resolution patterns.

Abstract: New photoacid generator compounds (“PAGs”) are provided that comprise a cholate moiety and photoresist compositions that comprise such PAG compounds.

Abstract: Pyrazine derivatives which contain one or more electron donating groups on the ring are used as catalytic metal complexing agents in aqueous alkaline environments to catalyze electroless metal plating on metal clad and un-clad substrates. The catalysts are monomers and free of tin and antioxidants.

Abstract: Provided are methods of forming an ion implanted region in a semiconductor device. The methods comprise: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of regions to be ion implanted; (b) forming a photoresist pattern on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the photoresist pattern is formed from a chemically amplified photoresist composition comprising a matrix polymer having acid labile groups, a photoacid generator and a solvent; (c) coating a descumming composition over the photoresist pattern, wherein the descumming composition comprises: a matrix polymer; a free acid; and a solvent; (d) heating the coated semiconductor substrate; (e) contacting the coated semiconductor substrate with a rinsing agent to remove residual descumming composition and scum from the substrate; and (f) ion implanting the plurality of regions of the semiconductor substrate using the photoresist pattern as an implant mask. 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 block copolymer and a solvent, wherein the block copolymer comprises a first block and a second block, wherein the first block comprises a unit formed from a first monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group and a hydrogen acceptor group, wherein the hydrogen acceptor group is a nitrogen-containing group, and the second block comprises a unit formed from a second monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group and an aromatic group, provided that the second monomer is not styrene; and (c) rinsing residual pattern treatment composition from the substrate, leaving a portion of the block copolymer bonded to the patterned feature.

Abstract: New photoresist are provided that comprises an Si-containing component and that are particularly useful for ion implant lithography applications. Photoresists of the invention can exhibit good adhesion to underlying inorganic surfaces such as SiON, silicon oxide, silicon nitride and other inorganic surfaces.

Abstract: Substrates, such as printed circuit boards, are coated with an aqueous alkaline developable UV photosensitive material followed by applying an aqueous soluble UV transparent film to coat the UV photosensitive material. An aqueous alkaline soluble UV blocking composition is selectively applied to the surface of the UV blocking film to function as a mask. UV light is applied to portions of the UV photosensitive material not covered by the mask. The UV blocking composition, UV transparent film and selective sections of the UV photosensitive material are simultaneously removed with an aqueous alkaline developer solution to form an image on the substrate.