Abstract: The present invention relates to polycyclic polymers, methods for producing polycyclic polymers, and methods for their use as photoresists in the manufacture of integrated circuits. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to photoresist compositions formed from the polymerization of at least one halogenated polycyclic monomer or hydrohalogenated polycyclic monomer. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to photoresist compositions formed from the co-polymerization of at least one halogenated polycyclic monomer or hydrohalogenated polycyclic monomer with at least one non-halogenated polycyclic monomer.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass methods of forming in situ olefin polymerization catalyst systems, catalysts encompassed by such systems and polymers made using such systems. For such in situ olefin polymerization catalyst systems, a hydrocarbyl magnesium halide is generally contacted with a halohydrocarbyl compound to form a halohydrocarbyl Grignard and such Grignard is generally contacted with a Group 10 metal compound to form an olefin polymerization catalyst which is contacted with one or more olefin monomers to form a polymer therefrom.

Abstract: A photoresist composition encompassing a polymer having at least one polycyclic olefin repeat unit having a desired exo mole percent is provided, where the repeat unit is derived from a polycyclic olefin monomer having the desired exo mole percent. Such polymers having such repeat units having a desired exo mole percent offer control of differential dissolution rate and hence provide enhanced imaging properties. Exemplary monomers having a desired exo mole percent are also provided.

Abstract: A polymer comprising polycyclic repeating units having recurring ion conducting groups and optional crosslinkable groups is disclosed. The present invention provides the capability of tailoring polymers to impart unique properties to membranes fabricated from the polymers. Membranes comprising the polymers and methods for preparing the membranes and their use in ion conducting membranes, particularly in fuel cells, are also provided.

Abstract: A method of controlling the molecular weight of poly(cyclic) olefin (norbornene-type) polymers and activating the polymerization thereof with a single material is provided. Such method include adding a chain transfer/activating agent to a mixture of monomer(s), catalyst, solvent and an optional cocatalyst and polymerizing the mixture to form a polymer. It is shown that the amount of chain transfer/activating agent in the mixture can serve to control the molecular weight of the resulting polymer, its percent conversion or both, and in some embodiments the optical density of the resulting polymer.

Abstract: Oligomers of polycyclic olefin monomers, and optionally allylic or olefinic monomers, and a method of making such oligomers that includes reacting polycyclic olefin monomers in the presence of a Ni or Pd containing catalyst, or in the case of allylic monomers in the presence of a free radical initiator. The oligomers can be included in photoresist compositions as dissolution rate modifiers. The photoresist compositions can further include a polymeric binder resin, a photoacid generator, and solvents.

Abstract: A polymer includes a first type of repeat unit represented by Formula I: where X is selected from —CH2—, —CH2—CH2—, or —O—; m is an integer from 0 to about 5; and where for the first type of repeat unit one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is one of a maleimide containing group and for the second type of repeat unit one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is a hindered aromatic group, a C8 or greater alkyl group, a C4 or greater halohydrocarbyl or perhalocarbyl group, a C7 or greater aralkyl group, or a heteroatom hydrocarbyl or halohydrocarbyl group.

Abstract: A photoresist composition encompassing a polymer having at least one polycyclic olefin repeat unit having a desired exo mole percent is provided, where the repeat unit is derived from a polycyclic olefin monomer having the desired exo mole percent. Such polymers having such repeat units having a desired exo mole percent offer control of differential dissolution rate and hence provide enhanced imaging properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a directly photoimageable polymer composition (DPPC) and methods for its use in forming microelectronic and optoelectronic devices. Such DPPC encompasses a polymer having at least one norbornene-type repeat unit having a pendant silyl containing radical and at least one norbornene-type repeat unit having an acrylate containing radical.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to novel norborne-type monomers containing pendent lactone or sultone groups. The invention also relates to norborne-type polymers and copolymers containing pendent lactone or sultone groups. These polymers and copolymers are useful in making photoimagable materials. The photoimagable materials are particularly suitable for use in photoresist compositions useful in 193 and 157 nm photolithography.

Abstract: A photoresist composition encompassing a polymer having at least one polycyclic olefin repeat unit having a desired exo mole percent is provided, where the repeat unit is derived from a polycyclic olefin monomer having the desired exo mole percent. Such polymers having such repeat units having a desired exo mole percent offer control of differential dissolution rate and hence provide enhanced imaging properties. Exemplary monomers having a desired exo mole percent are also provided.

Abstract: A polymer comprising polycyclic repeating units having recurring ion conducting groups and optional crosslinkable groups is disclosed. The present invention provides the capability of tailoring polymers to impart unique properties to membranes fabricated from the polymers. Membranes comprising the polymers and methods for preparing the membranes and their use in ion conducting membranes, particularly in fuel cells, are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to novel norbornene-type monomers containing pendent lactone or sultone groups. The invention also relates to norbornene-type polymers and copolymers comprising one or more repeating units represented by the formula: and containing pendent lactone or sultone groups. These polymers and copolymers are useful in making photoimagable materials. The photoimagable materials are particularly suitable for use in photoresist compositions useful in 193 and 157 nm photolithography.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass photo-imageable compositions that include polymers of acrylate-type monomers and norbornene-type monomers. In some embodiments a catalyst system comprising a cationic or a neutral Pd(II) dimer component having the formula (Allyl)Pd(P(R21)3) or (L?)[(L)Pd(R)(X)]2, respectively is employed to effect polymerization. In other embodiments a free radical or living free radical catalyst is employed to effect polymerization. At least one of the acrylate-type monomers and norbornene-type monomers of the polymer embodiments of the present invention encompass an acid labile moiety. Some polymer embodiments of the present invention include more than one type of acrylate-type monomer and norbornene-type monomer. Embodiments of the present invention include forming a patterned layer on a substrate and some embodiments include transferring the patterned structure to a material layer first formed on the substrate.

Abstract: A copolymer composition including a copolymer having repeat units of structural formula I: where X is selected from —CH2—, —CH2—CH2— and O; m is an integer from 0 to 5; and each occurrence of R1–R4 are independently selected from H; C1 to C25 linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, alkenyl and alkynyl that can include one or more hetero atoms selected from O, N, and Si; a group that contains an epoxy functionality; —(CH2)nC(O)OR5; —(CH2)nC(O)OR6; —(CH2)nOR6; —(CH2)nOC(O)R6; —(CH2)nC(O)R6; —(CH2)nOC(O)OR6; and any combination of two of R1, R2, R3, and R4 linked together by a linking group. A portion of the repeat units having structural formula I contain at least one epoxy functional pendant group. The copolymer composition can be included with a material that photonically forms a catalyst in a photodefinable dielectric composition, which can be used to form a photodefinable layer on a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polycyclic polymers, methods for producing polycyclic polymers, and methods for their use as photoresists in the manufacture of integrated circuits. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to photoresist compositions formed from the polymerization of at least one halogenated polycyclic monomer or hydrohalogenated polycyclic monomer. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to photoresist compositions formed from the co-polymerization of at least one halogenated polycyclic monomer or hydrohalogenated polycyclic monomer with at least one non-halogenated polycyclic monomer. Additionally, the present invention relates to methods by which to post-treat such photoresist compositions in order to obtain one or more of: (1) a reduction in optical density of the polymer composition; and (2) a reduction in the amount of residual metal and/or monomer in the polymer composition.

Abstract: A catalyst system and a process for the bulk addition polymerization or of polycyclic olefins, such as norbornene, methylnorbornene, ethylnorbornene, butylnorbornene or hexylnorbornene, 1,2,3,4,4a,5,8,8a-octahydro-1,4:5,8-dimethanonapthalene, 5,5?-(1,2-ethanediyl)bisbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, and 1,4,4a,4b,5,8,8a,8b-octahydro-1,4:5,8-dimethanobiphenylene are disclosed. The catalyst includes an organonickel or organopalladium transition metal procatalyst and an activator compound. Polymerization can be carried out in a reaction injection molding process to yield thermoplastic and thermoset molded polymeric articles possessing high glass transition temperatures.

Abstract: A method of polymerizing poly(cyclic)olefin monomers encompassing (a) combining a monomer composition containing the poly(cyclic)olefin monomers, a non-olefinic chain transfer agent and an activator compound to form a mixture; (b) heating the mixture; and (c) adding a polymerization catalyst containing Ni and/or Pd. The non-olefinic chain transfer agent includes one or more compounds selected from H2, alkylsilanes, alkylalkoxysilanes, alkylgermanes, alkylalkoxygermanes, alkylstannanes, and alkylalkoxystannanes. The activator is characterized as having an active hydrogen with a pKa of at least 5. The resulting poly(cyclic)olefin polymers can be used in photoresist compositions.

Abstract: Oligomers of polycyclic olefin monomers, and optionally allylic or olefinic monomers, and a method of making such oligomers that includes reacting polycyclic olefin monomers in the presence of a Ni or Pd containing catalyst, or in the case of allylic monomers in the presence of a free radical initiator. The oligomers can be included in photoresist compositions as dissolution rate modifiers. The photoresist compositions can further include a polymeric binder resin, a photoacid generator, and solvents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiation sensitive photoresist composition comprising a photoacid initiator and a polycyclic polymer comprising repeating units that contain pendant acid labile groups. Upon exposure to an imaging radiation source the photoacid initiator generates an acid which cleaves the pendant acid labile groups effecting a polarity change in the polymer. The polymer is rendered soluble in an aqueous base in the areas exposed to the imaging source.