Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The methods include preparing a template having a three dimensional (3D) stair type structure formed in intaglio, forming an imprint pattern having the stair type structure using the template, and simultaneously forming stair type patterns on a substrate using the imprint pattern.

Abstract: In a method of forming a pattern of a semiconductor device, a hard mask layer is formed on a substrate. A photoresist film is coated on the hard mask layer. The photoresist film is exposed and developed to form a first photoresist pattern. A smoothing process is performed on the first photoresist pattern to form a second photoresist pattern having a roughness property lower from that of the first photoresist pattern. In the smoothing process, a surface of the first photoresist pattern is treated with an organic solvent. An ALD layer is formed on a surface of the second photoresist pattern. The ALD layer is anisotropically etched to form an ALD layer pattern on a sidewall of the second photoresist pattern. The hard mask layer is etched using the second photoresist pattern and the ALD layer pattern as an etching mask to form a hard mask pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming a micro pattern of a semiconductor device may include forming an acid-extinguisher containing film on a substrate, forming a photoresist film containing a potential acid on the acid-extinguisher containing film, forming an exposed area containing acids by exposing a portion of the photoresist film to light, forming an insoluble polymer thin film between the acid-extinguisher containing film and the exposed area by extinguishing the acids of the exposed area at an interface between the acid-extinguisher containing film and the exposed area, developing the photoresist film to form a space exposing the insoluble polymer thin film in the exposed area and a photoresist pattern integrally connected to the insoluble polymer thin film, exposing the acid-extinguisher containing film through the space by removing the insoluble polymer thin film, and removing the acid-extinguisher containing film exposed through the space.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The methods include preparing a template having a three dimensional (3D) stair type structure formed in intaglio, forming an imprint pattern having the stair type structure using the template, and simultaneously forming stair type patterns on a substrate using the imprint pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming a micro pattern of a semiconductor device may include forming an acid-extinguisher containing film on a substrate, forming a photoresist film containing a potential acid on the acid-extinguisher containing film, forming an exposed area containing acids by exposing a portion of the photoresist film to light, forming an insoluble polymer thin film between the acid-extinguisher containing film and the exposed area by extinguishing the acids of the exposed area at an interface between the acid-extinguisher containing film and the exposed area, developing the photoresist film to form a space exposing the insoluble polymer thin film in the exposed area and a photoresist pattern integrally connected to the insoluble polymer thin film, exposing the acid-extinguisher containing film through the space by removing the insoluble polymer thin film, and removing the acid-extinguisher containing film exposed through the space.

Abstract: A lithography apparatus and a method of using the same, the apparatus including a stage for accommodating a substrate that has a photoresist film thereon; a main unit on the stage, the main unit being configured to irradiate a projection beam to the photoresist film; and an electric field unit adjacent to the stage, the electric field unit being configured to apply an electric field to the photoresist film, wherein the electric field unit is configured to be turned on at a same time as or before irradiation of the projection beam, and is configured to be turned off at a same time as or after termination of the projection beam.

Abstract: Method of forming fine patterns and methods of fabricating semiconductor devices by which a photoresist (PR) pattern may be transferred to a medium material layer with a small thickness and a high etch selectivity with respect to a hard mask to form a medium pattern and the hard mask may be formed using the medium pattern. According to the methods, the PR pattern may have a low aspect ratio so that a pattern can be transferred using a PR layer with a small thickness without collapsing the PR pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming hard mask employs a double patterning technique. A first hard mask layer is formed on a substrate, and a first sacrificial pattern is formed on the first hard mask layer by photolithography. Features of the first sacrificial pattern are spaced from one another by a first pitch. A second hard mask layer is then formed conformally on the first sacrificial pattern and the first hard mask layer so as to delimit recesses between adjacent features of the first sacrificial pattern. Upper portions of the second hard mask layer are removed to expose the first sacrificial pattern, and the exposed first sacrificial pattern and the second sacrificial pattern are removed. The second hard mask layer and the first hard mask layer are then etched to form a hard mask composed of residual portions of the first hard mask layer and the second hard mask layer.

Abstract: Method of forming fine patterns and methods of fabricating semiconductor devices by which a photoresist (PR) pattern may be transferred to a medium material layer with a small thickness and a high etch selectivity with respect to a hard mask to form a medium pattern and the hard mask may be formed using the medium pattern. According to the methods, the PR pattern may have a low aspect ratio so that a pattern can be transferred using a PR layer with a small thickness without collapsing the PR pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming hard mask employs a double patterning technique. A first hard mask layer is formed on a substrate, and a first sacrificial pattern is formed on the first hard mask layer by photolithography. Features of the first sacrificial pattern are spaced from one another by a first pitch. A second hard mask layer is then formed conformally on the first sacrificial pattern and the first hard mask layer so as to delimit recesses between adjacent features of the first sacrificial pattern. Upper portions of the second hard mask layer are removed to expose the first sacrificial pattern, and the exposed first sacrificial pattern and the second sacrificial pattern are removed. The second hard mask layer and the first hard mask layer are then etched to form a hard mask composed of residual portions of the first hard mask layer and the second hard mask layer.

Abstract: A method of forming hard mask employs a double patterning technique. A first hard mask layer is formed on a substrate, and a first sacrificial pattern is formed on the first hard mask layer by photolithography. Features of the first sacrificial pattern are spaced from one another by a first pitch. A second hard mask layer is then formed conformally on the first sacrificial pattern and the first hard mask layer so as to delimit recesses between adjacent features of the first sacrificial pattern. Upper portions of the second hard mask layer are removed to expose the first sacrificial pattern, and the exposed first sacrificial pattern and the second sacrificial pattern are removed. The second hard mask layer and the first hard mask layer are then etched to form a hard mask composed of residual portions of the first hard mask layer and the second hard mask layer.

Abstract: A method for forming hard mask patterns includes, sequentially forming first, second, and third hard mask layers formed of materials having different etching selectivities on a substrate, forming first sacrificial patterns having a first pitch therebetween on the third hard mask layer, forming fourth hard mask patterns with a second pitch between the first sacrificial patterns, the second pitch being substantially equal to about ½ of the first pitch, patterning the third hard mask layer to form third hard mask patterns using the fourth hard mask patterns as an etch mask, patterning the second hard mask layer to form second hard mask patterns using the third and fourth hard mask patterns as an etch mask, and patterning the first hard mask layer to form first hard mask patterns with the second pitch therebetween using the second and third hard mask patterns as an etch mask.

Abstract: A method for forming fine patterns of a semiconductor device includes forming an etching film on a substrate having first and second areas, forming first mask patterns on the substrate to have a first pattern density in the first area and a second pattern density in the second area, forming first capping patterns between the first mask patterns, forming second capping patterns between the first mask patterns, such that recess areas are formed between second capping patterns, and such that a first etching pattern is defined to include the first and second capping patterns, forming second mask patterns in the recess areas to include the first and second mask patterns, removing one of the first and second etching patterns, such that a single etching pattern is remaining on the substrate, and etching the etching film using the remaining etching pattern as an etch mask to form etching film patterns.

Abstract: Provided is a method for forming patterns of a semiconductor device. According to the method, first mask patterns may be formed on a substrate, and second mask patterns may be formed on sidewalls of each first mask pattern. Third mask patterns may fill spaces formed between adjacent second mask patterns, and the second mask patterns may be removed. A portion of the substrate may then be removed using the first and third mask patterns as etch masks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a pattern. A first organic polymer layer is formed on a substrate on which an underlying layer, and then a second organic polymer layer, which has an opening partially exposing the first organic polymer layer, is formed on the first organic polymer layer. Next, a silicon-containing polymer layer is formed on the second organic polymer layer to cover the opening. The silicon-containing polymer layer is oxidized and simultaneously the second organic polymer layer and the first organic polymer layer are ashed by oxygen plasma to form a pattern having an anisotropy-shape. The underlying layer is etched using the silicon-containing polymer layer and the first organic polymer layer as an etching mask to form a pattern.

Abstract: Provided are a flash memory device and a method of manufacturing the same. The flash memory device includes strings. Each of the strings has a string selection line, a ground selection line, and an odd number of word lines formed between the string selection line and the ground selection line.

Abstract: Provided are a flash memory device and a method of manufacturing the same. The flash memory device includes strings. Each of the strings has a string selection line, a ground selection line, and an odd number of word lines formed between the string selection line and the ground selection line.

Abstract: A method of forming hard mask employs a double patterning technique. A first hard mask layer is formed on a substrate, and a first sacrificial pattern is formed on the first hard mask layer by photolithography. Features of the first sacrificial pattern are spaced from one another by a first pitch. A second hard mask layer is then formed conformally on the first sacrificial pattern and the first hard mask layer so as to delimit recesses between adjacent features of the first sacrificial pattern. Upper portions of the second hard mask layer are removed to expose the first sacrificial pattern, and the exposed first sacrificial pattern and the second sacrificial pattern are removed. The second hard mask layer and the first hard mask layer are then etched to form a hard mask composed of residual portions of the first hard mask layer and the second hard mask layer.

Abstract: A method of forming hard mask employs a double patterning technique. A first hard mask layer is formed on a substrate, and a first sacrificial pattern is formed on the first hard mask layer by photolithography. Features of the first sacrificial pattern are spaced from one another by a first pitch. A second hard mask layer is then formed conformally on the first sacrificial pattern and the first hard mask layer so as to delimit recesses between adjacent features of the first sacrificial pattern. Upper portions of the second hard mask layer are removed to expose the first sacrificial pattern, and the exposed first sacrificial pattern and the second sacrificial pattern are removed. The second hard mask layer and the first hard mask layer are then etched to form a hard mask composed of residual portions of the first hard mask layer and the second hard mask layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an E-beam lithography system for synchronously irradiating surfaces of a plurality of substrates. The E-beam lithography system may include a loading unit loading and unloading substrates, an alignment chamber aligning the substrates, a transfer chamber transferring the substrates from the loading unit or chambers, a lithography chamber radiating one or more electron beams onto the substrates, and a vacuum chamber creating a vacuum in the chambers. A stage may be installed in the lithography chamber such that the substrates may be mounted on the stage and radiated with one or more electron beams.