Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for lithography patterning in accordance with some embodiments. The method includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate, wherein the photoresist layer includes a metal-containing chemical; performing an exposing process to the photoresist layer; and performing a first developing process to the photoresist layer using a first developer, thereby forming a patterned resist layer, wherein the first developer includes a first solvent and a chemical additive to remove metal residuals generated from the metal-containing chemical.

Abstract: A photoresist layer is formed over a wafer. The photoresist layer includes a metallic photoresist material and one or more additives. An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography process is performed using the photoresist layer. The one or more additives include: a solvent having a boiling point greater than about 150 degrees Celsius, a photo acid generator, a photo base generator, a quencher, a photo de-composed base, a thermal acid generator, or a photo sensitivity cross-linker.

Abstract: A method of forming a pattern in a photoresist includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate, and selectively exposing the photoresist layer to actinic radiation to form a latent pattern. The latent pattern is developed by applying a developer composition to the selectively exposed photoresist layer to form a pattern. The developer composition includes a first solvent, a second solvent, a surfactant, and at least one selected from an organic acid, an organic base, an inorganic acid, or an inorganic base. The first solvent and second solvent are different solvents.

Abstract: A method includes the following steps. A target layer is formed on a substrate. A resist layer is formed on the target layer. The resist layer is exposed such that secondary electrons are produced in the resist layer. The secondary electrons are terminated using an additive. The resist layer is developed. The target layer is etched using the developed resist layer as a mask.

Abstract: A method of forming semiconductor device includes depositing a coating layer over a substrate, forming a photoresist layer over the coating layer, exposing the photoresist layer to actinic radiation, and developing the photoresist layer to form a patterned photoresist layer. The coating layer includes a polymer containing a first unit having a pendant hydrogen donor group capable of producing a hydrogen radical upon exposure to the actinic radiation or heat, and a second unit having a pendant water donor group capable of producing water upon exposure to the actinic radiation or heat.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes applying a photoresist composition over a substrate, thereby forming a photoresist layer over the substrate; performing a first baking process to the photoresist layer; exposing the photoresist layer to an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation, thereby forming a pattern therein; performing a second baking process to the photoresist layer; and developing the photoresist layer having the pattern therein using a developer, thereby forming a patterned photoresist layer. The first baking process and the second baking process are conducted under an ambient atmosphere having a humidity level ranging from 55% to 100%.

Abstract: A cleaning solution includes a solvent having Hansen solubility parameters: 25>?d>13, 25>?p>3, 30>?h>4; an acid having an acid dissociation constant pKa: ?11<pKa<4, or a base having pKa of 40>pKa>9.5; and a surfactant. The surfactant is an ionic or non-ionic surfactant, selected from R is substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic, alicyclic, or aromatic group, and non-ionic surfactant has A-X or A-X-A-X structure, where A is unsubstituted or substituted with oxygen or halogen, branched or unbranched, cyclic or non-cyclic, saturated C2-C100 aliphatic or aromatic group, X includes polar functional groups selected from —OH, ?O, —S—, —P—, —P(O2), —C(?O)SH, —C(?O)OH, —C(?O)OR—, —O—, —N—, —C(?O)NH, —SO2OH, —SO2SH, —SOH, —SO2—, —CO—, —CN—, —SO—, —CON—, —NH—, —SO3NH—, and SO2NH.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first protective layer over an edge portion of a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate. A metal-containing photoresist layer is formed over the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The first protective layer is removed, and the metal-containing photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation. A second protective layer is formed over the edge portion of the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The selectively exposed photoresist layer is developed to form a patterned photoresist layer, and the second protective layer is removed.

Abstract: Methods and materials for improving the thermal stability of a metallic photoresist are disclosed. The metallic photoresist may comprise a metal core and one or more ligands, where each ligand is saturated and comprises from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms and at least two nitrogen atoms. Alternatively, a cross-linker may be used with the metallic photoresist, the cross-linker comprising a metal core and a plurality of cross-linking groups and having a molecular weight of about 1000 or less. Finally, an additive comprising carbonate or bicarbonate anions may be added during the formation of a developed photoresist layer. Each of these methods, independently or together, improve the thermal stability of the metallic photoresist, permitting improved line resolution.

Abstract: A method of forming a pattern in a photoresist includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate, and selectively exposing the photoresist layer to actinic radiation to form a latent pattern. The latent pattern is developed by applying a developer composition to the selectively exposed photoresist layer to form a pattern. The developer composition includes a first solvent having Hansen solubility parameters of 15<?d<25, 10<?p<25, and 6<?h<30; an acid having an acid dissociation constant, pKa, of ?15<pKa<5, or a base having a pKa of 40>pKa>9.5; and a second solvent having a dielectric constant greater than 18. The first solvent and the second solvent are different solvents.

Abstract: A photoresist developer includes a solvent having Hansen solubility parameters of 15<?d<25, 10<?p<25, and 6<?p<30; an acid having an acid dissociation constant, pKa, of ?15<pKa<4, or a base having a pKa of 40>pKa>9.5; and a chelate.

Abstract: Methods and materials for making a semiconductor device are described. The method includes forming a photoresist over a substrate. The photoresist includes an acid-labile group (ALG) connected to a polar unit. The method also includes exposing the photoresist to a radiation beam, baking the photoresist and performing a developing process to the photoresist.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a coating layer over a substrate, the coating layer comprising a switchable polymer comprising a polymer backbone and pendant groups attached to the polymer backbone and an acid generator. The pendant groups include acid labile groups and crosslinking groups. A baking process is then performed to cause crosslinking of the crosslinking groups to form a crosslinked coating layer. Next, a photoresist layer is deposited over the crosslinked coating layer. After selectively exposing the photoresist layer and the crosslinked coating layer to a patterning radiation, the selectively exposed photoresist layer and the crosslinked coating layer are developed to form a pattern of openings in the photoresist layer and the crosslinked coating layer.

Abstract: Materials directed to a photosensitive material and a method of performing a lithography process using the photosensitive material are described. A semiconductor substrate is provided. A first layer including a floating additive is formed over the semiconductor substrate. A second layer including an additive component having a metal cation is formed over the first layer. One or more bonds are formed to bond the metal cation and one or more anions. Each of the one or more anions is one of a protecting group and a polymer chain bonding component. The polymer chain bonding component is bonded to a polymer chain of the layer. The second layer is exposed to a radiation beam.

Abstract: Methods and materials for reducing the radiation dosage needed for development of a metallic photoresist are disclosed. During development, the metallic photoresist is exposed to an additive that comprises (i) one aromatic group with one or more substituents having at least one saturated endgroup; or (ii) a plurality of aromatic groups linked together through a linking moiety. Improved line resolution is also obtained.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first protective layer over an edge portion of a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate. A metal-containing photoresist layer is formed over the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The first protective layer is removed, and the metal-containing photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation. A second protective layer is formed over the edge portion of the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The selectively exposed photoresist layer is developed to form a patterned photoresist layer, and the second protective layer is removed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate, exposing the photoresist layer to an EUV radiation, and developing the exposed photoresist layer. The photoresist layer has a composition including a metal complex including a metallic core and at least one ligand bonded to the metallic core. The at least one ligand includes an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A photoresist developer includes a solvent having Hansen solubility parameters of 15<?d<25, 10<?p<25, and 6<?p<30; an acid having an acid dissociation constant, pKa, of ?15<pKa<4, or a base having a pKa of 40>pKa>9.5; and a chelate.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a metallic photoresist layer is formed over a target layer to be patterned, the metallic photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation to form a latent pattern, and the latent pattern is developed by applying a developer to the selectively exposed photoresist layer to form a pattern. The metallic photo resist layer is an alloy layer of two or more metal elements, and the selective exposure changes a phase of the alloy layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a photoresist pattern includes forming a photoresist layer including a photoresist composition over a substrate. The photoresist composition includes metal particles and a thermally stable ligand attached to the metal particles. The thermally stable ligand includes branched or unbranched, cyclic or non-cyclic, C1-C7 alkyl groups or C1-C7 fluoroalkyl groups. The C1-C7 alkyl or C1-C7 fluoroalkyl groups include one or more of —CF3, —SH, —OH, ?O, —S—, —P—, —PO2, —C(?O)SH, —C(?O)OH, —C(?O)O—, —O—, —N—, —C(?O)NH, —SO2OH, —SO2SH, —SOH, or —SO2—. The photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation, and the photoresist layer is developed to form a pattern in the photoresist layer. In an embodiment, the method includes heating the photoresist layer before selectively exposing the photoresist layer to actinic radiation.