Abstract: A method includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate, wherein the photoresist layer includes a polymer, a sensitizer, and a photo-acid generator (PAG), wherein the sensitizer includes a resonance ring that includes nitrogen and at least one double bond. The method further includes performing an exposing process to the photoresist layer. The method further includes developing the photoresist layer, thereby forming a patterned photoresist layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a metal-containing material layer over a substrate, patterning the metal-containing material layer, where the patterned material layer has an average roughness, and electrochemically treating the patterned metal-containing material layer to reduce the average roughness. The treatment may be implemented by exposing the patterned metal-containing material layer to an electrically conducting solution, and applying a potential between the patterned material layer and a counter electrode exposed to the solution, such that the treating reduces the average roughness of the patterned material layer. The electrically conducting solution may include an ionic compound dissolved in water, alcohol, and/or a surfactant.

Abstract: Resist materials having enhanced sensitivity to radiation are disclosed herein, along with methods for lithography patterning that implement such resist materials. An exemplary resist material includes a polymer, a sensitizer, and a photo-acid generator (PAG). The sensitizer is configured to generate a secondary radiation in response to the radiation. The PAG is configured to generate acid in response to the radiation and the secondary radiation. The PAG includes a sulfonium cation having a first phenyl ring and a second phenyl ring, where the first phenyl ring is chemically bonded to the second phenyl ring.

Abstract: Methods and 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 layer including an additive component is formed over the semiconductor substrate. The additive component includes a metal cation. 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 layer is exposed to a radiation beam.

Abstract: A continuous process for preparing a polyester shrinkable film includes: pumping an amorphous PET-based polyester melt having a melt viscosity ?1 directly from a polymerization reactor into a first cooling zone; cooling the polyester melt to increase the melt viscosity thereof to a melt viscosity ?2 such that a difference between ?2 and ?1 ranges from 1500 poise to 3500 poise; feeding the polyester melt into a second cooling zone; cooling the polyester melt to increase the melt viscosity thereof to a melt viscosity ?3 ranging from 5000 poise to 12000 poise such that a difference between ?3 and ?2 ranges from 1000 poise to 5500 poise; and pumping the polyester melt from the second cooling zone into a zone for film-forming treatment.

Abstract: A lithography method is provided in accordance with some embodiments. The lithography method includes forming a metal-containing layer on a substrate, the metal-containing layer including a plurality of conjugates of metal-hydroxyl groups; treating the metal-containing layer at temperature that is lower than about 300° C. thereby causing a condensation reaction involving the plurality of conjugates of metal-hydroxyl groups; forming a patterned photosensitive layer on the treated metal-containing layer; and developing the patterned photosensitive layer so as to allow at least about 6% decrease of optimum exposure (Eop).

Abstract: Resist materials having enhanced sensitivity to radiation are disclosed herein, along with methods for lithography patterning that implement such resist materials. An exemplary resist material includes a polymer, a sensitizer, and a photo-acid generator (PAG). The sensitizer is configured to generate a secondary radiation in response to the radiation. The PAG is configured to generate acid in response to the radiation and the secondary radiation. The PAG includes a sulfonium cation having a first phenyl ring and a second phenyl ring, where the first phenyl ring is chemically bonded to the second phenyl ring.

Abstract: One of the broader forms of the present disclosure relates to a method of making a semiconductor device. The method includes exposing a photoresist layer to a radiation source and applying a hardening agent to the photoresist layer. Therefore after applying the hardening agent a first portion of the photoresist layer has a higher glass transition temperature, higher mechanical strength, than a second portion of the photoresist layer.

Abstract: Provided is a material composition and method for substrate modification. A substrate is patterned to include a plurality of features. The plurality of features includes a first subset of features having one or more substantially inert surfaces. In various embodiments, a priming material is deposited over the substrate, over the plurality of features, and over the one or more substantially inert surfaces. By way of example, the deposited priming material bonds at least to the one or more substantially inert surfaces. Additionally, the deposited priming material provides a modified substrate surface. After depositing the priming material, a layer is spin-coated over the modified substrate surface, where the spin-coated layer is substantially planar.

Abstract: Methods for forming a semiconductor structure are provided. The method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a material layer over a substrate and forming a resist layer over the material layer. The method for forming a semiconductor structure further includes exposing the resist layer to form an exposed portion of the resist layer and forming a treating material layer over the exposed portion and an unexposed portion of the resist layer. In addition, a top surface of the exposed portion of the resist layer reacts with the treating material layer. The method for forming a semiconductor structure further includes removing the treating material layer and removing the unexposed portion of the resist layer to form an opening in the resist layer after the treating material is removed.

Abstract: Information regarding individuals that fit a bad performance definition, such as individuals that have previously defaulted on a financial instrument or have declared bankruptcy, is used to develop a model that is usable to determine whether an individual that does not fit the bad performance definition is more likely to subsequently default on a financial instrument or to declare bankruptcy. The model may be used to generate a score for each individual, and the score may be used to segment the individual into a segment of a segmentation structure that includes individuals with related scores, where segments may include different models for generating a final risk score for the individuals assigned to the particular segments. The segment to which an individual is assigned, which may be determined based at least partly on the score assigned to the individual, may affect the final risk score that is assigned to the individual.

Abstract: Provided is a material composition and method for substrate modification. A substrate is patterned to include a plurality of features. The plurality of features includes a first subset of features having one or more substantially inert surfaces. In various embodiments, a priming material is deposited over the substrate, over the plurality of features, and over the one or more substantially inert surfaces. By way of example, the deposited priming material bonds at least to the one or more substantially inert surfaces. Additionally, the deposited priming material provides a modified substrate surface. After depositing the priming material, a layer is spin-coated over the modified substrate surface, where the spin-coated layer is substantially planar.

Abstract: A continuous process for preparing a polyester shrinkable film includes: pumping an amorphous PET-based polyester melt having a melt viscosity ?1 directly from a polymerization reactor into a first cooling zone; cooling the polyester melt to increase the melt viscosity thereof to a melt viscosity ?2 such that a difference between ?2 and ?1 ranges from 1500 poise to 3500 poise; feeding the polyester melt into a second cooling zone; cooling the polyester melt to increase the melt viscosity thereof to a melt viscosity ?3 ranging from 5000 poise to 12000 poise such that a difference between ?3 and ?2 ranges from 1000 poise to 5500 poise; and pumping the polyester melt from the second cooling zone into a zone for film-forming treatment.

Abstract: Resist materials having enhanced sensitivity to radiation are disclosed herein, along with methods for lithography patterning that implement such resist materials. An exemplary resist material includes a polymer, a sensitizer, and a photo-acid generator (PAG). The sensitizer is configured to generate a secondary radiation in response to the radiation. The PAG is configured to generate acid in response to the radiation and the secondary radiation. The PAG includes a sulfonium cation having a first phenyl ring and a second phenyl ring, where the first phenyl ring is chemically bonded to the second phenyl ring.

Abstract: Methods for forming a semiconductor structure are provided. The method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a material layer over a substrate and forming a resist layer over the material layer. The method for forming a semiconductor structure further includes exposing the resist layer to form an exposed portion of the resist layer and forming a treating material layer over the exposed portion and an unexposed portion of the resist layer. In addition, a top surface of the exposed portion of the resist layer reacts with the treating material layer. The method for forming a semiconductor structure further includes removing the treating material layer and removing the unexposed portion of the resist layer to form an opening in the resist layer after the treating material is removed.

Abstract: Provided is a photoresist that includes a polymer having a backbone that is breakable and a photo acid generator that is free of bonding from the polymer. Further, provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a device substrate. A material layer is formed over the substrate. A photoresist material is formed over the material layer. The photoresist material has a polymer that includes a backbone. The photoresist material is patterned to form a patterned photoresist layer. A fabrication process is then performed to the material layer, wherein the patterned photoresist layer serves as a mask in the fabrication process. Thereafter, the patterned photoresist layer is treated in a manner that breaks the backbone of the polymer. The patterned photoresist layer is then removed.

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 polymer, a sensitizer, and a photo-acid generator (PAG), wherein the PAG includes a first phenyl ring and a second phenyl ring both chemically bonded to a sulfur, the first and second phenyl rings being further chemically bonded with enhanced sensitivity; performing an exposing process to the photoresist layer; and developing the photoresist layer, thereby forming a patterned photoresist layer.

Abstract: Provided is a material composition and method for substrate modification. A substrate is patterned to include a plurality of features. The plurality of features includes a first subset of features having one or more substantially inert surfaces. In various embodiments, a priming material is deposited over the substrate, over the plurality of features, and over the one or more substantially inert surfaces. By way of example, the deposited priming material bonds at least to the one or more substantially inert surfaces. Additionally, the deposited priming material provides a modified substrate surface. After depositing the priming material, a layer is spin-coated over the modified substrate surface, where the spin-coated layer is substantially planar.

Abstract: A method includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate, wherein the photoresist layer includes a polymer, a sensitizer, and a photo-acid generator (PAG), wherein the sensitizer includes a resonance ring that includes nitrogen and at least one double bond. The method further includes performing an exposing process to the photoresist layer. The method further includes developing the photoresist layer, thereby forming a patterned photoresist layer.

Abstract: A method for semiconductor manufacturing includes providing a substrate and a patterning layer over the substrate; forming a hole in the patterning layer; applying a first directional etching along a first direction to inner sidewalls of the hole; and applying a second directional etching along a second direction to the inner sidewalls of the hole, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction.