Abstract: Topcoat compositions are provided that can be used in immersion lithography to form photoresist patterns. The topcoat compositions include a solvent system that comprises 1) a first organic solvent represented by formula (I), wherein R1 and R2 are alkyl groups of 3-8 carbons and the total number of carbons of R1 and R2 is greater than 6; and 2) a second organic solvent that is a C4 to C10 monovalent alcohol.

Abstract: Photoresist topcoat compositions comprise: a first polymer that is fluorinated, a second polymer, and an organic-based solvent system comprising an ester solvent and one or more additional organic solvents, wherein the composition is substantially free of photoacid generator compounds. The invention finds particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices.

Abstract: New photoresist compositions are provided that are useful for immersion lithography. Preferred photoresist compositions of the invention comprise one or more materials that comprise one or more base reactive groups and (i) one or more polar groups distinct from the base reactive groups, and/or (ii) at least one of the base reactive groups is a non-perfluorinated base reactive group. 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: A topcoat composition comprises: a matrix polymer; a surface active polymer comprising: a first unit comprising a group of the following general formula (I): wherein R1 represents H, F, C1 to C8 alkyl or C1 to C8 fluoroalkyl, optionally comprising one or more heteroatom; X1 represents oxygen, sulfur or NR2, wherein R2 is chosen from hydrogen and optionally substituted C1 to C10 alkyl; and a solvent. The surface active polymer is present in the composition in an amount less than the matrix polymer, and the surface active polymer has a lower surface energy than a surface energy of the matrix polymer. The invention has particular applicability in photolithographic processes as a photoresist topcoat layer in the manufacture of semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Topcoat compositions are provided that can be used in immersion lithography to form photoresist patterns. The topcoat compositions include a solvent system that comprises 1) a first organic solvent represented by formula (I), wherein R1 and R2 are alkyl groups of 3-8 carbons and the total number of carbons of R1 and R2 is greater than 6; and 2) a second organic solvent that is a C4 to C10 monovalent alcohol.

Abstract: New photoresist compositions are provided that are useful for immersion lithography. Preferred photoresist compositions of the invention comprise one or more materials that comprise one or more base reactive groups and (i) one or more polar groups distinct from the base reactive groups, and/or (ii) at least one of the base reactive groups is a non-perfluorinated base reactive group. 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.