Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning a workpiece with a cleaning medium that is maintained at a single fluid phase. The apparatus comprises means for providing the cleaning medium; a pressurizable cleaning vessel for receiving the cleaning medium and the workpiece; and means for maintaining a single fluid phase of the cleaning medium in the cleaning vessel. The present invention further provides a process for cleaning the workpiece with cleaning medium under conditions such that the workpiece is exposed to a single fluid phase of the cleaning medium. The present invention further includes a process for a storage media that includes instructions for controlling a processor for the process of the present invention. The storage media comprises means for controlling the processor to control contacting conditions of the workpiece and the cleaning medium such that the workpiece is exposed to a single fluid phase of the cleaning medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning a workpiece with a cleaning medium that is maintained at a single fluid phase. The apparatus comprises means for providing the cleaning medium; a pressurizable cleaning vessel for receiving the cleaning medium and the workpiece; and means for maintaining a single fluid phase of the cleaning medium in the cleaning vessel. The present invention further provides a process for cleaning the workpiece with cleaning medium under conditions such that the workpiece is exposed to a single fluid phase of the cleaning medium. The present invention further includes a process for a storage media that includes instructions for controlling a processor for the process of the present invention. The storage media comprises means for controlling the processor to control contacting conditions of the workpiece and the cleaning medium such that the workpiece is exposed to a single fluid phase of the cleaning medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning a workpiece with a cleaning medium that is maintained at a single fluid phase. The apparatus comprises means for providing the cleaning medium; a pressurizable cleaning vessel for receiving the cleaning medium and the workpiece; and means for maintaining a single fluid phase of the cleaning medium in the cleaning vessel. The present invention further provides a process for cleaning the workpiece with cleaning medium under conditions such that the workpiece is exposed to a single fluid phase of the cleaning medium. The present invention further includes a process for a storage media that includes instructions for controlling a processor for the process of the present invention. The storage media comprises means for controlling the processor to control contacting conditions of the workpiece and the cleaning medium such that the workpiece is exposed to a single fluid phase of the cleaning medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning a workpiece with a cleaning medium that is maintained at a single fluid phase. The apparatus includes means for providing the cleaning medium; a pressurizable cleaning vessel for receiving the cleaning medium and the workpiece; and means for maintaining a single fluid phase of the cleaning medium in the cleaning vessel. The present invention further provides a process for cleaning the workpiece with cleaning medium under conditions such that the workpiece is exposed to a single fluid phase of the cleaning medium. The present invention further includes a process for a storage media that includes instructions for controlling a processor for the process of the present invention. The storage media includes means for controlling the processor to control contacting conditions of the workpiece and the cleaning medium such that the workpiece is exposed to a single fluid phase of the cleaning medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning a workpiece with a cleaning medium that is maintained at a single fluid phase. The apparatus comprises means for providing the cleaning medium; a pressurizable cleaning vessel for receiving the cleaning medium and the workpiece; and means for maintaining a single fluid phase of the cleaning medium in the cleaning vessel. The present invention further provides a process for cleaning the workpiece with cleaning medium under conditions such that the workpiece is exposed to a single fluid phase of the cleaning medium. The present invention further includes a process for a storage media that includes instructions for controlling a processor for the process of the present invention. The storage media comprises means for controlling the processor to control contacting conditions of the workpiece and the cleaning medium such that the workpiece is exposed to a single fluid phase of the cleaning medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to formation of air gaps in metal/insulator interconnect structures, and to the use of supercritical fluid (SCF)-based methods to extract sacrificial place-holding materials to form air gaps in a structure. Supercritical fluids have gas-like diffusivities and viscosities, and very low or zero surface tension, so SCF's can penetrate small access holes and/or pores in a perforated or porous bridge layer to reach the sacrificial material. Examples of SCFs include CO2 (with or without cosolvents or additives) and ethylene (with or without cosolvents or additives). In a more general embodiment, SCF-based methods for forming at least partially enclosed air gaps in structures that are not interconnect structures are disclosed.

Abstract: The sensitivity of a photoresist to actinic light is improved by the addition of certain dyes. The photoresist includes a polymer matrix, a photosensitive acid generator and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of dyes containing at least one heterosulphur atom such as 2,2.sup.1,5.sup.1,2"-terthiophene and its derivatives; thianthrene and its derivatives, and 4,6-diphenylthieno(3,4-d)-1,3-dioxol-2-one-5,5-dioxide; phenylsulfone and its derivatives; and 4,5-diphenyl-1,3-dioxol-2-one; 3,4-bis(acetoxymethyl)furan; chelidonic acid and its derivatives; and 5,7,12,14-pentacenetetrone. Resist images on a substrate are formed from the compositions.

Abstract: The sensitivity of a photoresist to actinic light is improved by the addition of certain dyes. The photoresist includes a polymer matrix, a photosensitive acid generator and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of dyes containing at least one heterosulphur atom such as 2,2.sup.1,5.sup.1,2"-terthiophene and its derivatives; thianthrene and its derivatives, and 4,6-diphenylthieno(3,4-d)-1,3-dioxol-2-one-5,5-dioxide; phenylsulfone and its derivatives; and 4,5-diphenyl-l,3-dioxol-2-one; 3,4-bis(acetoxymethyl)furan; chelidonic acid and its derivatives; and 5,7,12,14-pentacenetetrone. Resist images on a substrate are formed from the compositions.