Abstract: A photoresist apparatus and a method are provided. The photoresist apparatus includes a pre-baking apparatus. The pre-baking apparatus includes: a hot-plate, a first cover over the hot-plate, a second cover over the first cover, a first heating element extending along a topmost surface of the first cover, and a second heating element extending along a topmost surface of the second cover.

Abstract: A composition for forming a metal-containing film, the composition including: a compound (A) which is at least one selected from the group consisting of: a compound (a1) containing a cationic functional group containing at least one of a primary nitrogen atom or a secondary nitrogen atom, and a compound (a2) which is a compound other than the compound (a1) and which contains a nitrogen atom; and a compound (B) which is at least one selected from the group consisting of: a compound (b1) containing a carboxy group and at least one of a germanium atom, a tin atom, a selenium atom or a zirconium atom, and an ester of the compound (b1).

Abstract: A resist composition including a resin component whose solubility in a developing solution is changed due to an action of an acid, in which the resin composition has a constitutional unit derived from a compound containing a chain-like aliphatic acid dissociable group or a monocyclic aliphatic acid dissociable group and a constitutional unit derived from a compound containing an aromatic hydrocarbon group-containing acid dissociable group.

Abstract: A patterning method is described that utilizes self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed with hydroxamic acid compounds and area selective atomic layer deposition (ALD). In the examples, regions of the SAM exposed to extreme ultraviolet radiation (EUV) become resistant to ALD deposition. Subsequent treatment of the exposed SAM to an ALD process results in selective growth of an ALD film on the non-exposed regions of the SAM, leaving the exposed regions substantially free of ALD material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reducing the LWR (Line Width Roughness) of a photoresist pattern using a negative tone photoresist during the fabrication of a semiconductor, and more specifically to a composition capable of reducing LWR in order to ensure a higher pattern CDU after a negative tone development process, and a processing method using the composition, thus reducing the LWR, thereby providing better CDU than existing methods.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition for forming an organic film, which generates no by-product even under such a film formation condition in an inert gas to prevent substrate corrosion, which is capable of forming an organic film not only excellent in properties of filling and planarizing a pattern formed on a substrate but also favorable for dry etching resistance during substrate processing, and further which causes no fluctuation in film thickness of the film due to thermal decomposition even when a CVD hard mask is formed on the organic film. The composition for forming an organic film includes (A) a polymer having a repeating unit shown by the following general formula (1) and (B) an organic solvent.

Abstract: A resin and a photosensitive resin composition whereby a cured film exhibiting high extensibility, reduced stress, and high adhesion to metals can be obtained are provided. A resin (A) including a polyamide structure and at least any structure of an imide precursor structure and an imide structure, wherein at least any of the structures of the resin (A) include a diamine residue having an aliphatic group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reducing the LWR (Line Width Roughness) of a photoresist pattern using a negative tone photoresist during the fabrication of a semiconductor, and more specifically to a composition capable of reducing LWR in order to ensure a higher pattern CDU after a negative tone development process, and a processing method using the composition, thus reducing the LWR, thereby providing better CDU than existing methods.

Abstract: There is provided a gap filling composition which can reduce pattern collapse and a pattern forming method using the composition. There is provided a gap filling composition including a gap filling compound, an organic solvent, and as required, water, the gap filling compound having a certain structure and containing hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups, or amino groups intramolecularly. There is provided a pattern forming method using a low molecular weight compound.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a phase shift mask includes forming a doped silicon nitride layer on a mask substrate and forming an opaque layer on the doped silicon nitride layer. The opaque layer and doped silicon nitride layer are then patterned to expose portions of the mask substrate to form a plurality of mask features comprising the opaque layer disposed on the doped silicon nitride layer. Portions of the opaque layer are then removed from some of the mask features.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new lithography composition, the forming of resist patterns using the lithography composition, and a semiconductor device manufacturing method using the lithography composition in a photolithography method.

Abstract: A developing method is provided. The developing method includes rotating a wafer. The developing method also includes dispensing, through a first nozzle, a developer solution onto the rotated wafer through a first nozzle at a first rotating speed. The developing method further includes dispensing, through a second nozzle, a rinse solution onto the rotated wafer through a second nozzle at a second rotating speed. The second rotating speed is less than the first rotating speed. In addition, the developing method includes simultaneously moving the first nozzle and the second nozzle during either the dispensing of the developer solution or the dispensing of the rinse solution.

Abstract: Cantilever-Free Scanning Probe Lithography (CF-SPL) techniques are used to enable generation of 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-D information containing patterns in a mask-free manner that, in turn, enables instantaneous change of pattern design.

Abstract: Photomasks and methods of fabricating the photomasks are provided herein. In some examples, a layout for forming an integrated circuit device is received. The layout includes a set of printing features. A region of the layout is identified. The region is at a distance from the set of printing features such that an exposure region associated with a feature in the region does not affect a set of exposure regions associated with the set of printing features. A plurality of non-printing features is inserted into the region. A photomask is fabricated based on the layout.

Abstract: A method of removing a pellicle from a photomask includes removing a portion of a membrane from a pellicle frame, wherein the pellicle frame remains attached to the photomask following the removing of the portion of the membrane. The method further includes removing the pellicle frame from the photomask. The method further includes cleaning the photomask.

Abstract: A mask manufacturing method includes stacking a first antireflection layer on a first stacked body at a first film thickness so as to create a first transmissive type mask. In the first stacked body, a first semitransmissive layer, a first reflective layer, and a first transmissive substrate are stacked. The mask manufacturing method includes stacking a second antireflection layer on a second stacked body at a second film thickness so as to create a second transmissive type mask. In the second stacked body, a second semitransmissive layer, a second reflective layer, and a second transmissive substrate are stacked. The second film thickness is determined in accordance with a thermal expansion amount of the first mask.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for realizing a two-dimensional target lithography feature/pattern by decomposing (splitting) it into multiple unidirectional target features that, when aggregated, substantially (e.g., fully) represent the original target feature without leaving an unrepresented remainder (e.g., a whole-number quantity of unidirectional target features). The unidirectional target features may be arbitrarily grouped such that, within a grouping, all unidirectional target features share a common target width value. Where multiple such groupings are provided, individual groupings may or may not have the same common target width value. In some cases, a series of reticles is provided, each reticle having a mask pattern correlating to a grouping of unidirectional target features. Exposure of a photoresist material via the aggregated series of reticles substantially (e.g., fully) produces the original target feature/pattern.

Abstract: Structures of a pellicle-mask structure are provided. The pellicle-mask structure includes a mask substrate, a pellicle frame over the mask substrate. The pellicle frame includes a side portion with an inside surface and an outside surface opposite to each other. The pellicle-mask structure also includes a vent structure in the side portion and connecting the inside surface and the outside surface, and a pellicle membrane over the pellicle frame. The pellicle-mask structure further includes a pellicle membrane adhesive between the pellicle membrane and the pellicle frame, and a first heat-dissipating filler in the pellicle membrane adhesive.

Abstract: A method for describing an array of elements includes the steps of providing an array description system that includes a library of possible alternative designations; and describing the array of elements using at least one of the alternative designations. The library of possible alternative designations includes one or more of the following (i) a line designation, (ii) a column designation, (iii) a square designation, (iv) a rectangle designation, (v) a cross designation, (vi) a diagonal designation, (vii) a complex designation, (viii) a mosaic designation, (ix) an overlap designation, (x) a power designation, (xi) a border designation, (xii) a corner flip designation, (xiii) a mirror image designation, (xiv) a repeat designation, and (xv) a glide designation.

Abstract: Various methods are disclosed herein for reducing (or eliminating) printability of mask defects during lithography processes. An exemplary method includes performing a first lithography exposing process and a second lithography exposing process using a mask to respectively image a first set of polygons oriented substantially along a first direction and a second set of polygons oriented substantially along a second direction on a target. During the first lithography exposing process, a phase distribution of light diffracted from the mask is dynamically modulated to defocus any mask defect oriented at least partially along both the first direction and a third direction that is different than the first direction. During the second lithography exposing process, the phase distribution of light diffracted from the mask is dynamically modulated to defocus any mask defect oriented at least partially along both the second direction and a fourth direction that is different than the third direction.