Abstract: A highly sensitive positive resist mixture which comprises a resist having a carboxyl group at the side chain and which is decomposable by high energy rays constituted by a polymer having the formula I ##STR1## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, . . . R.sub.n represent alkyl groups, halogenated alkyl groups, or aryl groups having five or fewer carbon atoms, or --COORa or --CORb (where Ra and Rb are alkyl groups or halogenated alkyl or aryl groups having five or fewer carbon atoms), and when ##EQU1## m.sub.c /M is in the range of 0.01 to 1.0 and m.sub.1 /M, m.sub.2 /M, . . . m.sub.n /M are respectively in the range of 0.99 to 0, and an additive selected from the group consisting of oxides, halides and organic acid salts of bivalent metals.

Abstract: A mark position detection system used in a charged particle beam apparatus and including detection circuit for detecting a reflected electron generated at a mark when the mark is scanned with a charged particle beam, to obtain a mark signal, and signal processing circuit for comparing the mark signal from the detection circuit with a predetermined threshold level to find the position of the charged particle beam at a time the mark signal traverses the threshold level, thereby detecting the position of a mark edge, is disclosed in which, when the mark signal traverses the threshold level and has a peak value exceeding a predetermined value, it is determined by the signal processing circuit that the position of the charged particle beam at a time point at which the mark signal traverses the threshold level is the position of the mark.

Abstract: In a fine pattern forming method for use in the manufacture of semiconductor integrated circuits, optical integrated circuits, Josephson elements, and so forth, a positive resist mixture is used which is composed of a resist having a carboxyl group in the side chain and an additive which is an oxide, halide, or organic acid salt of a bivalent metal and which, when heated, forms Ionomer to produce thermal crosslinks. The positive resist mixture is developed using a developer having carboxylic acid mixed in an organic solvent, thereby permitting the formation of an ultra-fine and high precision pattern.

Abstract: An electron beam lithography apparatus comprises: a spot electron beam generator; device for exposing a desired pattern onto a wafer using the spot beam; device for dividing the pattern into small regions; and device for designating an origin of the small region and also digitally scanning the portion inside the small region by a fixed correction amount by use of the spot beam, and thereby to reduce the settling time of the D/A converter in association with the digital scanning.