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: The present disclosure is directed to a photoresist and a method of performing a lithography process using the photoresist. The photoresist contains a polymer and a photo-acid generator. The photo-acid generator contains a sensitizer component, an acid generator component, and a bonding component that bonds the sensitizer component to the acid generator component. The bonding component may be either a single bond or a conjugated bond. The lithography process may be an EUV lithography process or an e-beam lithography process.

Abstract: A patternable layer is formed over a substrate. A photo-sensitive layer is formed over the patternable layer. The photo-sensitive layer contains an additive. The additive contains at least a floating control chemical and a volume control chemical. A spin drying or a baking process is performed to the photo-sensitive layer. The floating control chemical causes the additive to rise upward during the spin drying or baking process. Thereafter, as a part of an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography process, the photo-sensitive layer is exposed. One or more outgassing chemicals are generated inside the photo-sensitive layer during the exposing. The volume control chemical is sufficiently voluminous and dense to trap the outgassing chemicals inside the photo-sensitive layer.

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; performing an exposing process to the photoresist layer; and developing the photoresist layer, thereby forming a patterned photoresist layer. The photoresist layer includes a polymer backbone, an acid labile group (ALG) bonded to the polymer backbone, a first sensitizer that is bonded to the polymer backbone, a second sensitizer that is not bonded to the polymer backbone, and a photo-acid generator (PAG).

Abstract: An improved resist material and a technique for patterning a workpiece such as an integrated circuit workpiece that offers improved resistance to environmental contaminants is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes receiving a workpiece and applying to the workpiece a resist material containing a protectant disbursed throughout. A thermal process is performed on the workpiece that causes the protectant to become concentrated in an upper region of the resist material. The resist material is exposed in a lithographic process and the exposed resist material is developed to define a pattern within the resist material. In some such examples, the protectant is selected to reduce an effect of an environmental contaminant without affecting an acid/base ratio of the resist material. In some such embodiments, the protectant includes a hydrophobic functional group.

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; performing an exposing process to the photoresist layer; and developing the photoresist layer, thereby forming a patterned photoresist layer. The photoresist layer includes a polymer backbone, an acid labile group (ALG) bonded to the polymer backbone, a first sensitizer that is bonded to the polymer backbone, a second sensitizer that is not bonded to the polymer backbone, and a photo-acid generator (PAG).

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 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: The present disclosure is directed to a photoresist and a method of performing a lithography process using the photoresist. The photoresist contains a polymer and a photo-acid generator. The photo-acid generator contains a sensitizer component, an acid generator component, and a bonding component that bonds the sensitizer component to the acid generator component. The bonding component may be either a single bond or a conjugated bond. The lithography process may be an EUV lithography process or an e-beam lithography process.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a method. The method includes applying a first cleaning fluid to a substrate, thereby cleaning the substrate and forming a protection layer on the substrate; and applying a removing process to the substrate, thereby removing the protection layer from the substrate. The first cleaning fluid includes a cleaning chemical, a protection additive and a solvent.

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: An improved resist material and a technique for patterning a workpiece such as an integrated circuit workpiece that offers improved resistance to environmental contaminants is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes receiving a workpiece and applying to the workpiece a resist material containing a protectant disbursed throughout. A thermal process is performed on the workpiece that causes the protectant to become concentrated in an upper region of the resist material. The resist material is exposed in a lithographic process and the exposed resist material is developed to define a pattern within the resist material. In some such examples, the protectant is selected to reduce an effect of an environmental contaminant without affecting an acid/base ratio of the resist material. In some such embodiments, the protectant includes a hydrophobic functional group.

Abstract: A patternable layer is formed over a substrate. A photo-sensitive layer is formed over the patternable layer. The photo-sensitive layer contains an additive. The additive contains at least a floating control chemical and a volume control chemical. A spin drying or a baking process is performed to the photo-sensitive layer. The floating control chemical causes the additive to rise upward during the spin drying or baking process. Thereafter, as a part of an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography process, the photo-sensitive layer is exposed. One or more outgassing chemicals are generated inside the photo-sensitive layer during the exposing. The volume control chemical is sufficiently voluminous and dense to trap the outgassing chemicals inside the photo-sensitive layer.

Abstract: A lithography method includes forming a photosensitive layer on a substrate, exposing the photosensitive layer, baking the photosensitive layer, and developing the exposed photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer includes a polymer that turns soluble to a base solution in response to reaction with acid, a plurality of photo—acid generators (PAGs) that decompose to form acid in response to radiation energy, and a plurality of quenchers having boiling points distributed between about 200 C and about 350 C. The quenchers also have molecular weights distributed between 300 Dalton and about 20000 Dalton, and are vertically distributed in the photosensitive layer such that a first concentration C1 at a top portion of the photosensitive layer is greater than a second concentration C2 at a bottom portion of the photosensitive layer.

Abstract: A method of lithography patterning includes forming a first resist pattern on a substrate, wherein the first resist pattern including a plurality of openings. A second resist pattern is formed on the substrate and within the plurality of openings of the first resist pattern, wherein the second resist pattern includes at least one opening therein on the substrate. The first resist pattern is removed to uncover the substrate underlying the first resist pattern.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a method. The method includes applying a first cleaning fluid to a substrate, thereby cleaning the substrate and forming a protection layer on the substrate; and applying a removing process to the substrate, thereby removing the protection layer from the substrate. The first cleaning fluid includes a cleaning chemical, a protection additive and a solvent.

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: 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: A method and photoresist material for the patterning of integrated circuit (IC) components using ultra violet (UV) and extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) that includes providing a substrate, forming a first material layer over the substrate, forming a second material layer over the first material layer, the second material layer having a luminescent agent, and exposing one or more portions of the second material layer.

Abstract: A method and material layer for forming a pattern are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate; forming a first material layer over the substrate; forming a second material layer over the first material layer, wherein the second material layer comprises a photoacid generator and a photobase generator; and exposing one or more portions of the second material layer.