Abstract: New photoresist compositions are provided that are useful for immersion lithography. Preferred photoresist compositions of the invention comprises two or more distinct materials that can be substantially non-mixable with a resin component of the resist. Particularly preferred photoresists of the invention can exhibit reduced leaching of resist materials into an immersion fluid contacting the resist layer during immersion lithography processing.

Abstract: Photoresist topcoat compositions, comprising: a first polymer comprising a first repeat unit of general formula (I) and a second repeat unit of general formula (II): wherein: R1 independently represents H, F or optionally fluorinated C1 to C4 alkyl; R2 represents optionally fluorinated linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C20 alkyl; L1 represents a single bond or a multivalent linking group; and n is an integer of from 1 to 5; a second polymer comprising a first repeat unit of general formula (III) and a second repeat unit of general formula (IV): wherein: R3 independently represents H, F or optionally fluorinated C1 to C4 alkyl; R4 represents linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C20 alkyl; R5 represents linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C20 fluoroalkyl; L2 represents a single bond or a multivalent linking group; and n is an integer of from 1 to 5; and a solvent. Coated substrates coated with the described topcoat compositions and methods of processing a photoresist composition are also provided.

Abstract: New lithographic processing methods are provided which are particularly useful in immersion lithography schemes. In one aspect, processes of the invention comprise: applying on a substrate a photoresist composition; exposing the photoresist layer to radiation activating for the photoresist composition; removing a portion but not all of the exposed photoresist layer; and developing the treated photoresist layer to provide a photoresist relief image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a block copolymer comprising a first segment and a second segment that are covalently bonded to each other and that are chemically different from each other; where the first segment has a first surface free energy and where the second segment has a second surface free energy; and an additive copolymer; where the additive copolymer comprises a surface free energy reducing moiety where the surface free energy reducing moiety has a lower surface free energy than that of the first segment and the second segment; the additive copolymer further comprising one or more moieties having an affinity to the block copolymer; where the surface free energy reducing moiety is chemically different from the first segment and from the second segment; where the additive copolymer is not water miscible; and where the additive copolymer is not covalently bonded with the block copolymer.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a liquid carrier and certain MX/graphitic carbon precursors are useful in forming multilayer structures having an MX layer and a graphitic carbon layer disposed on a substrate, wherein the MX layer is interposed between the substrate and the graphitic carbon layer in the multilayer structure.

Abstract: A method of making a multilayer structure is provided, comprising providing a substrate; providing a coating composition, comprising: a liquid carrier and a MX/graphitic carbon precursor material having a formula (I); disposing the coating composition on the substrate to form a composite; optionally, baking the composite; annealing the composite under a forming gas atmosphere; whereby the composite is converted into an MX layer and a graphitic carbon layer disposed on the substrate providing the multilayer structure; wherein the MX layer is interposed between the substrate and the graphitic carbon layer in the multilayer structure.

Abstract: A method of making a graphitic carbon sheet is provided, comprising providing a substrate; providing a coating composition, comprising: a liquid carrier and a MX/graphitic carbon precursor material having a formula (I); disposing the coating composition on the substrate to form a composite; optionally, baking the composite; annealing the composite under a forming gas atmosphere; whereby the composite is converted into an MX layer and a graphitic carbon layer disposed on the substrate providing a multilayer structure; wherein the MX layer is interposed between the substrate and the graphitic carbon layer in the multilayer structure; exposing the multilayer structure to an acid; and, recovering the graphitic carbon layer as the freestanding graphitic carbon sheet.

Abstract: A method of making a multilayer structure is provided, comprising providing a substrate; providing a coating composition, comprising: a liquid carrier, a polycyclic aromatic additive and a MX/graphitic carbon precursor material having a formula (I); disposing the coating composition on the substrate to form a composite; optionally, baking the composite; annealing the composite under a forming gas atmosphere; whereby the composite is converted into an MX layer and a graphitic carbon layer disposed on the substrate providing the multilayer structure; wherein the MX layer is interposed between the substrate and the graphitic carbon layer in the multilayer structure.

Abstract: A photoimageable composition for preparing a polymeric binder having of one or more of monomer unit copolymers, a photoactive compound, and one or more organometallic compounds is provided. The copolymers include one or more hydroxyl or carboxyl functional groups that react with the organometallic compound to form a crosslinked network upon curing. The photoimageable compositions may be particularly useful in forming a pixel-defining layer of an electronic device. such as an organic light emitting diode. In particular, photoimageable compositions in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are insoluble in the developer prior to exposure to radiation, soluble in the developer following radiation exposure, and have relatively high glass transition temperatures (Tg) making them useful in forming a pixel-defining layer.

Abstract: Topcoat compositions comprise: a matrix polymer; a surface active polymer comprising a polymerized unit formed from a monomer of the following general formula (I): wherein: R1 represents H, F, methyl or fluorinated methyl; R2 represents optionally substituted C1 to C8 alkylene or optionally substituted C1 to C8 fluoroalkylene, optionally comprising one or more heteroatom; R3 represents H, F, optionally substituted C1 to C10 alkyl or optionally substituted C5 to C15 aryl, optionally comprising one or more heteroatom; R4 represents optionally substituted C1 to C8 alkyl, optionally substituted C1 to C8 fluoroalkyl or optionally substituted C5 to C15 aryl, optionally comprising one or more heteroatom; X represents O, S or NR5, wherein R5 is chosen from hydrogen and optionally substituted C1 to C5 alkyl; and a is 0 or 1; and a solvent. Also provided are coated substrates and pattern-forming methods which make use of the topcoat compositions.

Abstract: Photoresist topcoat compositions, comprising: a first polymer comprising a first repeat unit of general formula (I) and a second repeat unit of general formula (II): wherein: R1 independently represents H, F or optionally fluorinated C1 to C4 alkyl; R2 represents optionally fluorinated linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C20 alkyl; L1 represents a single bond or a multivalent linking group; and n is an integer of from 1 to 5; a second polymer comprising a first repeat unit of general formula (III) and a second repeat unit of general formula (IV): wherein: R3 independently represents H, F or optionally fluorinated C1 to C4 alkyl; R4 represents linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C20 alkyl; R5 represents linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C20 fluoroalkyl; L2 represents a single bond or a multivalent linking group; and n is an integer of from 1 to 5; and a solvent. Coated substrates coated with the described topcoat compositions and methods of processing a photoresist composition are also provided.

Abstract: Topcoat compositions comprise: a matrix polymer; a surface active polymer comprising a polymerized unit formed from a monomer of the following general formula (I): wherein: R1 represents H, F, methyl or fluorinated methyl; R2 represents optionally substituted C1 to C8 alkylene or optionally substituted C1 to C8 fluoroalkylene, optionally comprising one or more heteroatom; R3 represents H, F, optionally substituted C1 to C10 alkyl or optionally substituted C5 to C15 aryl, optionally comprising one or more heteroatom; R4 represents optionally substituted C1 to C8 alkyl, optionally substituted C1 to C8 fluoroalkyl or optionally substituted C5 to C15 aryl, optionally comprising one or more heteroatom; X represents O, S or NR5, wherein R5 is chosen from hydrogen and optionally substituted C1 to C5 alkyl; and a is 0 or 1; and a solvent. Also provided are coated substrates and pattern-forming methods which make use of the topcoat compositions.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to coating compositions that comprise a resin component, wherein the predominant portion of the resin component comprising one or more resins that are at least substantially free of fluorine. Coating compositions of the invention are useful as photoresist overcoat layers, including in immersion lithography processing.

Abstract: Certain polyarylene oligomers having improved solubility are useful in forming dielectric material layers in electronics applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a block copolymer comprising a first segment and a second segment that are covalently bonded to each other and that are chemically different from each other; where the first segment has a first surface free energy and where the second segment has a second surface free energy; and an additive copolymer; where the additive copolymer comprises a surface free energy reducing moiety where the surface free energy reducing moiety has a lower surface free energy than that of the first segment and the second segment; the additive copolymer further comprising one or more moieties having an affinity to the block copolymer; where the surface free energy reducing moiety is chemically different from the first segment and from the second segment; where the additive copolymer is not water miscible; and where the additive copolymer is not covalently bonded with the block copolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing a first composition comprising a first block copolymer upon a substrate; where the first block copolymer comprises a first segment and a second segment that are covalently bonded to each other and that are chemically different from each other; where the first segment has a first surface free energy and where the second segment has a second surface free energy; and disposing a second composition comprising an second copolymer upon a free surface of the first block copolymer; where the second copolymer comprises a surface free energy reducing moiety; where the surface free energy reducing moiety has a lower surface free energy than the first surface free energy and the second surface free energy; the second copolymer further comprising one or more moieties having an affinity to the first block copolymer; where the surface free energy reducing moiety is chemically different from the first segment and from the second segment.

Abstract: New photoresist compositions are provided that are useful for immersion lithography. Preferred photoresist compositions of the invention comprise one or more materials that can be substantially non-mixable with a resin component of the resist. Further preferred photoresist compositions of the invention comprise 1) Si substitution, 2) fluorine substitution; 3) hyperbranched polymers; and/or 4) polymeric particles. Particularly preferred photoresists of the invention can exhibit reduced leaching of resist materials into an immersion fluid contacting the resist layer during immersion lithography processing.

Abstract: New photoresist compositions are provided that are useful for immersion lithography. Preferred photoresist compositions of the invention comprise one or more materials that have base-reactive groups. Particularly preferred photoresists of the invention can exhibit reduced leaching of resist materials into an immersion fluid contacting the resist layer during immersion lithography processing.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition containing an organometallic compound having a chromophore moiety in the metal polymer backbone which allows a wider range of n/k values such that substrate reflectivity can be controlled under various conditions.

Abstract: New photoresist compositions are provided that are useful for immersion lithography. Preferred photoresist compositions of the invention comprise one or more materials that can be substantially non-mixable with a resin component of the resist. Further preferred photoresist compositions of the invention comprise 1) Si substitution, 2) fluorine substitution; 3) hyperbranched polymers; and/or 4) polymeric particles. Particularly preferred photoresists of the invention can exhibit reduced leaching of resist materials into an immersion fluid contacting the resist layer during immersion lithography processing.