Abstract: A method includes illuminating radiation to a resist layer over a substrate to pattern the resist layer. The patterned resist layer is developed by using a positive tone developer. The patterned resist layer is rinsed using a basic aqueous rinse solution. A pH value of the basic aqueous rinse solution is lower than a pH value of the developer, and a rinse temperature of rinsing the patterned resist layer is in a range of about 20° C. to about 40° C.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes dividing a number of dies along an x axis in a die matrix in each exposure field in an exposure field matrix delineated on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the x axis is parallel to one edge of a smallest rectangle enclosing the exposure field matrix. A number of dies is divided along a y axis in the die matrix, wherein the y axis is perpendicular to the x axis. Sequences SNx0, SNx1, SNx, SNxr, SNy0, SNy1, SNy, and SNyr are formed. p*(Nbx+1)?2 stepping operations are performed in a third direction and first sequence exposure/stepping/exposure operations and second sequence exposure/stepping/exposure operations are performed alternately between any two adjacent stepping operations as well as before a first stepping operation and after a last stepping operation. A distance of each stepping operation in order follows the sequence SNx.

Abstract: A method is provided including forming a first layer over a substrate and forming an adhesion layer over the first layer. The adhesion layer has a composition including an epoxy group. A photoresist layer is formed directly on the adhesion layer. A portion of the photoresist layer is exposed to a radiation source. The composition of the adhesion layer and the exposed portion of the photoresist layer cross-link using the epoxy group. Thee photoresist layer is then developed (e.g., by a negative tone developer) to form a photoresist pattern feature, which may overlie the formed cross-linked region.

Abstract: In a method of forming a groove pattern extending in a first axis in an underlying layer over a semiconductor substrate, a first opening is formed in the underlying layer, and the first opening is extended in the first axis by directional etching to form the groove pattern.

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 dividing a number of dies along an x axis in a die matrix in each exposure field in an exposure field matrix delineated on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the x axis is parallel to one edge of a smallest rectangle enclosing the exposure field matrix. A number of dies is divided along a y axis in the die matrix, wherein the y axis is perpendicular to the x axis. Sequences SNx0, SNx1, SNx, SNxr, SNy0, SNy1, SNy, and SNyr are formed. p*(Nbx+1)?2 stepping operations are performed in a third direction and first sequence exposure/stepping/exposure operations and second sequence exposure/stepping/exposure operations are performed alternately between any two adjacent stepping operations as well as before a first stepping operation and after a last stepping operation. A distance of each stepping operation in order follows the sequence SNx.

Abstract: A method includes illuminating radiation to a resist layer over a substrate to pattern the resist layer. The patterned resist layer is developed by using a positive tone developer. The patterned resist layer is rinsed using a basic aqueous rinse solution. A pH value of the basic aqueous rinse solution is lower than a pH value of the developer, and a rinse temperature of rinsing the patterned resist layer is in a range of about 20° C. to about 40° C.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a resist layer over a material layer, the resist layer includes an inorganic material. The inorganic material includes a plurality of metallic cores and a plurality of first linkers bonded to the metallic cores. The method includes forming a modified layer over the resist layer, and the modified layer includes an auxiliary. The method includes performing an exposure process on the modified layer and the resist layer, and removing a portion of the modified layer and a first portion of the resist layer by a first developer. The first developer includes a ketone-based solvent having a substituted or unsubstituted C6-C7 cyclic ketone, an ester-based solvent having a formula (b), or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A photoresist composition includes a conjugated resist additive, a photoactive compound, and a polymer resin. The conjugated resist additive is one or more selected from the group consisting of a polyacetylene, a polythiophene, a polyphenylenevinylene, a polyfluorene, a polypryrrole, a polyphenylene, and a polyaniline. The polyacetylene, polythiophene, polyphenylenevinylene, polyfluorene, polypryrrole, the polyphenylene, and polyaniline includes a substituent selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an ether group, an ester group, an alkene group, an aromatic group, an anthracene group, an alcohol group, an amine group, a carboxylic acid group, and an amide group. Another photoresist composition includes a polymer resin having a conjugated moiety and a photoactive compound. The conjugated moiety is one or more selected from the group consisting of a polyacetylene, a polythiophene, a polyphenylenevinylene, a polyfluorene, a polypryrrole, a polyphenylene, and a polyaniline.

Abstract: Provided is a material composition and method that includes forming a patterned resist layer on a substrate, where the patterned resist layer has a first line width roughness. In various embodiments, the patterned resist layer is coated with a treatment material, where a first portion of the treatment material bonds to surfaces of the patterned resist layer. In some embodiments, a second portion of the treatment material (e.g., not bonded to surfaces of the patterned resist layer) is removed, thereby providing a treated patterned resist layer, where the treated patterned resist layer has a second line width roughness less than the first line width roughness.

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 method for forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a photoresist layer comprising an organometallic compound over a substrate. The organometallic compound includes a metal core, at least one hydrolyzable ligand bonded to the metal core, and at least one photoacid generator ligand bonded to the metal core. The method further includes selectively exposing the photoresist layer to radiation and developing the photoresist layer to form a pattern in the photoresist layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same. The semiconductor structure can include a substrate, first and second fin structures formed over the substrate, and an isolation structure between the first and second fin structures. The isolation structure can include a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion of the isolation structure can include a metal-free dielectric material. The upper portion of the isolation structure can include a metallic element and silicon.

Abstract: An embodiment method includes depositing a first dielectric film over and along sidewalls of a semiconductor fin, the semiconductor fin extending upwards from a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes depositing a dielectric material over the first dielectric film; recessing the first dielectric film below a top surface of the semiconductor fin to define a dummy fin, the dummy fin comprising an upper portion of the dielectric material; and forming a gate stack over and along sidewalls of the semiconductor fin and the dummy fin.

Abstract: An embodiment method includes depositing a first dielectric film over and along sidewalls of a semiconductor fin, the semiconductor fin extending upwards from a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes depositing a dielectric material over the first dielectric film; recessing the first dielectric film below a top surface of the semiconductor fin to define a dummy fin, the dummy fin comprising an upper portion of the dielectric material; and forming a gate stack over and along sidewalls of the semiconductor fin and the dummy fin.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, in a pattern forming method for a semiconductor device, a first opening is formed in an underlying layer disposed over a substrate. The first opening is expanded in a first axis by directional etching to form a first groove in the underlying layer. A resist pattern is formed over the underlying layer. The resist pattern includes a second opening only partially overlapping the first groove. The underlying layer is patterned by using the resist pattern as an etching mask to form a second groove.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, in a pattern forming method for a semiconductor device, a first opening is formed in an underlying layer disposed over a substrate. The first opening is expanded in a first axis by directional etching to form a first groove in the underlying layer. A resist pattern is formed over the underlying layer. The resist pattern includes a second opening only partially overlapping the first groove. The underlying layer is patterned by using the resist pattern as an etching mask to form a second groove.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist layer including a photoresist composition over a substrate. The 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 patterned photoresist. The photoresist composition includes a photoactive compound and a resin comprising a radical-active functional group and an acid labile 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, 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 method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist layer including a photoresist composition over a substrate. The 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 patterned photoresist. The photoresist composition includes a photoactive compound and a resin comprising a radical-active functional group and an acid labile group.