Patents Examined by Hoa Van Le
  • Patent number: 7105265
    Abstract: A method for removing a resist pattern having a resist pattern forming step of forming a resist pattern on a substrate using a chemically amplified positive resist composition and a removing step of removing the resist pattern from the substrate using a solvent, a composition prepared by dissolving (A) an alkali soluble resin having a hydroxyl group in the side chain, (B) a photo acid generator and (C) a compound represented by the following general formula (I): H2C?CH—O—R1—O—CH?CH2??(I) ?wherein R1 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or the like, in an organic solvent being used as the chemically amplified positive resist composition, the method further having a heat treatment step of heat-treating the substrate on which the resist pattern is formed at a temperature of 150 to 400° C. between the resist pattern forming step and the removing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ohnishi, Kazuhiko Nakayama, Isamu Takagi
  • Patent number: 7101646
    Abstract: In this developing method and apparatus, a concentration measuring unit 222 picks part of developing fluid in a blending tank 186 to measure the resist concentration by an absorption photometry and feeds the detected resist concentration to a control unit 240. The control unit 240 controls respective valves 210, 212, 216 of a TMAH concentrate solution 200, a solvent pipe 204 and a drain pipe 208 in a manner that the developing fluid in the blending tank 186 has a TMAH concentration corresponding to a measured resist-concentration value to accomplish a constant developing rate, performing component control of the developing fluid. The developing fluid transferred from the blending tank 186 to a supply tank 188 is fed to a developer nozzle DN in a developing section 126 through a developer pipe 224 owing to the drive of a pump 228. Accordingly, even if the developing fluid is reused in the developing process in multiple times, it is possible to make sure of the uniformity in development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kiyohisa Tateyama, Masafumi Nomura, Taketora Shinogi
  • Patent number: 7101657
    Abstract: An image-forming member excellent in the developing ability and printing durability can be obtained and images can be formed without being accompanied by any accumulation of scum in a developing bath used, by developing an image-forming material, in particular, a negative-working image-forming material which comprises a substrate provided thereon with an image-recording layer comprising an infrared light absorber, a polymerization initiator, an ethylenically unsaturated bond-containing monomer and a binder polymer, using a developer which comprises at least one carbonate and at least one hydrogen carbonate, and at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of nonionic aromatic ether type surfactants represented by the following general formula (1): X—Y—O-(A)n-(B)m—H (wherein X represents an aromatic group; Y represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; A and B represent groups different from one another and each represents either —CH2CH2O— or —CH2CH(CH3)O—; m and n a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nagase
  • Patent number: 7094522
    Abstract: A developing method comprises determining in advance the relation of resist dissolution concentration in a developing solution and resist dissolution speed by the developing solution, estimating in advance the resist dissolution concentration where the resist dissolution speed is a desired speed or more from the relation, and developing in a state in which the resist dissolution concentration in the developing solution is the estimated dissolution concentration or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masamitsu Itoh, Ikuo Yoneda, Hideaki Sakurai
  • Patent number: 7094523
    Abstract: An improved composition and method for the development of resists is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the resist with a developer solution comprising a source of alkalinity and a cationic surfactant which is an ethoxylated and/or propoxylated tallow amine. The improved developer solution more effectively removes the uncured resist from the resist coated surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventors: Kesheng Feng, Daniel J. Hart
  • Patent number: 7090961
    Abstract: A high resolution resist material comprising an acid generator is provided so that high sensitivity and high resolution for high energy rays of 300 nm or less, small line-edge roughness, and excellence in heat stability and storage stability are obtained. Moreover, a pattern formation method using this resist material are provided. Specifically, a novel compound of the following general formula (1); and a positive resist material comprising this compound preferably as a photo acid generator, and a base resin; are provided. This positive resist material may contain a basic compound or a dissolution inhibitor. Further, the present invention provides a pattern formation method comprising the steps of applying this positive resist material on a substrate, then heat-treating the material, exposing the treated material to a high energy ray having a wavelength of 300 nm or less via a photo mask, optionally heat-treating the exposed material, and developing the material using a developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kobayashi, Satoshi Watanabe, Tsunehiro Nishi, Youichi Ohsawa, Katsuhiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7087365
    Abstract: A method for forming images on a silver halide color photographic photosensitive material having a substrate and photographic structural layers thereon, including, at least three silver halide color photosensitive layers having different photosensitive regions, respectively, and at least one non-photosensitive hydrophilic colloid layer is disclosed. At least one of the photosensitive layers contains 90 mol % or more of silver chloride. Shortly after the silver halide color photographic photosensitive material has been scan-exposed with laser beams, the material is rapid-processed with a low replenishing amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Ohshima, Akito Yokozawa, Naoya Shibata
  • Patent number: 7083907
    Abstract: A silver halide emulsion which exhibits high sensitivity, high contrast, little sensitivity variation with humidity conditions at the time of exposure, and excellent reciprocity law properties at high illumination intensities. Also, a method of preparing the emulsion in a stable manner, and a silver halide color photographic photosensitive material and an image forming method that use the emulsion. The emulsion includes a mesoionic compound having a thiolate structure or a protonated thiolate structure, and the emulsion is sensitized by an Au (III) compound. The emulsion preferably contains an oxidatively dimerized form of a mesoionic compound having a thiolate structure, and a silver chloride content of at least 90 mol %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotomo Sasaki, Hideki Maeta, Naoto Ohshima
  • Patent number: 7083892
    Abstract: The resist composition of the present invention, ensuring excellent pattern profile and excellent isolation performance for use in the pattern formation by the irradiation of actinic rays or radiation, particularly, electron beam, X ray or EUV light, which comprising (A) a compound having a specific partial structure and a counter ion, the compound generating an acid upon irradiation of actinic rays or radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyou Takahashi, Shoichiro Yasunami, Kazuyoshi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7083904
    Abstract: A composition, method, and system for recording an image. The system includes an imaging material in which radiation energy is absorbed by an antenna material. The antenna material may be chosen from the group consisting of phthalocyanines and naphthalocyanines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Makarand P. Gore
  • Patent number: 7078162
    Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous regenerator for addition to an aqueous developer that contains an organic solvent, a dispersing agent and a weak base, and has a pH of between about 8 and less than about 13. The aqueous regenerator includes an organic solvent, dispersing agent, and an effective amount of a strong base such that the regenerator has a greater pH than the developer into which the regenerator is to be added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gary Roger Miller, Kevin Wieland, Melanie Kelim
  • Patent number: 7063911
    Abstract: In a gasket used for a fuel battery, in order to solve problems with respect to making a seal portion thin, improving an assembling property, preventing a position shift, making a surface pressure low, making the surface pressure uniform, and the like, a gasket lip made of a liquid rubber hardened material is integrally formed on a surface of a flat plate made of a carbon, a graphite, a conductive resin such as a conductive phenol resin or the like, an ion exchange resin, or a metal such as a stainless steel, a magnesium alloy or the like, or on a groove portion applied to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Nagai, Shigeo Wakamatsu, Yuichi Kuroki
  • Patent number: 7063930
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thinner composition for removing resist used in TFT-LCD manufacturing processes, and more particularly to a thinner composition for removing resist that comprises: a) 0.1 to 5 wt % of an inorganic alkali compound; b) 0.1 to 5 wt % of an organic amine; c) 0.1 to 30 wt % of an organic solvent; d) 0.01 to 5 wt % of a surfactant comprising an ionic surfactant and a non-ionic surfactant in the weight ration of 1:5 to 1:25; and e) 60 to 99 wt % of water. The thinner composition for removing resist of the present invention has good efficiency of removing unwanted resist film constituents formed on the edge of the resist film or at the back of the substrate in TFT-LCD device and semiconductor device manufacturing processes. Also, it does not have the problem of equipment corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yung-Bae Chai, Si-Myung Choi, Jae-Sung Ro, Jung-Sun Choi
  • Patent number: 7060909
    Abstract: A composition for the formation of an insulating film comprising a low dielectric constant polymeric material and a sublimating material, which are dissolved in a solvent. Preferred low dielectric constant polymeric materials include polyaryl ethers. Preferred sublimating materials include silicone compounds having a closed stereostructure having atoms at its vertexes, such as those known as Si-T8 and Si-T12. A method of forming a low dielectric constant insulating film and electronic parts or components using an insulating film formed thereby are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Shun-ichi Fukuyama
  • Patent number: 7060424
    Abstract: A method of increasing speed of a silver halide color photosensitive material. The photosensitive material has, on a support, a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, and a nonsensitive layer. The method comprises adding, to the emulsion layer or the nonsensitive layer, a compound represented by formula (M) or (C): in the formula (M), R1 represents H or a substituent, Z represents a group of non-metallic atoms required to form a 5-membered azole ring containing 2 to 4 nitrogen atoms, and X represents H or a substituent, and in the formula (C), Za represents —NH— or —CH(R3)—, Zb and Zc represent —C(R4)? or —N?, R1, R2 and R3 represent an electron attractive group having a Hammett constant ?p of 0.2 to 1.0, R4 represents H or substituent, and X represents H or a substituent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichiro Hosokawa, Yasuhiro Shimada, Osamu Uchida, Yasuhiro Ishiwata, Toshio Kawagishi
  • Patent number: 7056643
    Abstract: A method for forming an image useful as a lithographic printing plate is disclosed. The imageable precursor comprises a water solubilized phenolic resin made up of an insoluble phenolic resin and a surfactant. The precursor can be imaged with an imaging solution, either off press or on press, using ink jet imaging techniques. The resulting imaged precursor can be developed using an aqueous liquid, such as water or a fountain solution, either off press or on press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kevin B. Ray, S. Peter Pappas, Kevin Wieland
  • Patent number: 7052821
    Abstract: Polymers, methods of use thereof, and methods of decomposition thereof, are provided. One exemplary polymer, among others, includes, a composition having a sacrificial polymer and a photoacid generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Kohl, Paul Jayachandran Joseph, Hollie Reed, Sue Bidstrup-Allen, Celesta E. White, Clifford Henderson
  • Patent number: 7029837
    Abstract: This invention relates to a silver halide photographic element comprising a support bearing a cyan dye image forming unit comprised of at least one red sensitive silver halide emulsion, a magenta dye image forming unit comprised of at least one green sensitive silver halide emulsion, and a yellow dye image forming unit comprised of at least one blue sensitive silver halide emulsion; wherein the at least one green sensitive silver halide emulsion comprises two absorptance peaks, the first peak being between 515 and 540 nm (short wavelength peak) and the second peak being between 565 and 590 nm, (long wavelength peak) and wherein (a) the ratio of the absorptance peak value of the short wavelength peak to the absorptance peak value of the long wavelength peak is from 0.65 to 1.55; (b) the absorptance minimum between the two absorptance peaks is between 530 and 560 nm; (c) the ratio of the absorptance value at the absorptance minimum to that of the smaller absorptance peak is 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David E. Fenton, Lois A. Buitano, Steven G. Link, Sharon G. Johnston, David B. Moorehouse
  • Patent number: 7018481
    Abstract: There is disclosed a substrate treating method comprising supplying a treating solution onto a substrate, and continuously discharging a first cleaning solution to the substrate from a first discharge region disposed in a nozzle, while moving the nozzle and substrate with respect to each other in one direction, wherein a length of a direction crossing at right angles to the direction of the first discharge region is equal to or more than a maximum diameter or longest side of the substrate, the nozzle continuously spouts a first gas to the substrate from a first jet region, and the length of a direction crossing at right angles to the direction of the first jet region is equal to or more than the maximum diameter or longest side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kei Hayasaki, Shinichi Ito, Tatsuhiko Ema, Riichiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7001086
    Abstract: A developing method comprises determining in advance the relation of resist dissolution concentration in a developing solution and resist dissolution speed by the developing solution, estimating in advance the resist dissolution concentration where the resist dissolution speed is a desired speed or more from the relation, and developing in a state in which the resist dissolution concentration in the developing solution is the estimated dissolution concentration or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masamitsu Itoh, Ikuo Yoneda, Hideaki Sakurai