Abstract: The processing of radiation patternable organometallic coatings is shown to be improved through the appropriate selection of post processing conditions between coating and development of the pattern. In particular, a coated wafer can be subjected to process delays to allow aging of the coating at various process points, in particular following irradiation. Process delays can be combined and interspersed with heating steps. The atmosphere above the coated wafer at various process steps can be adjusted to obtain desired improvements in the development of the pattern. Reactive gases can be beneficial with respect to improvement of coating properties.

Abstract: Multiple patterning approaches using radiation sensitive organometallic materials is described. In particular, multiple patterning approaches can be used to provide distinct multiple patterns of organometallic material on a hardmask or other substrate through a sequential approach that leads to a final pattern. The multiple patterning approach may proceed via sequential lithography steps with multiple organometallic layers and may involve a hardbake freezing after development of each pattern. Use of an organometallic resist with dual tone properties to perform pattern cutting and multiple patterning of a single organometallic layer are described. Corresponding structures are also described.

Abstract: The processing of radiation patternable organometallic coatings is shown to be improved through the appropriate selection of post processing conditions between coating and development of the pattern. In particular, a coated wafer can be subjected to process delays to allow aging of the coating at various process points, in particular following irradiation. Process delays can be combined and interspersed with heating steps. The atmosphere above the coated wafer at various process steps can be adjusted to obtain desired improvements in the development of the pattern. Reactive gases can be beneficial with respect to improvement of coating properties.

Abstract: A method is described for stabilizing organometallic coating interfaces through the use of multilayer structures that incorporate an underlayer coating. The underlayer is composed of an organic polymer that has crosslinking and adhesion-promoting functional groups. The underlayer composition may include photoacid generators. Multilayer structures for patterning are described based on organometallic radiation sensitive patterning compositions, such as alkyl tin oxo hydroxo compositions, which are placed over a polymer underlayer.

Abstract: Methods provide for advantageous processing of substrates with metal oxide-based resists between irradiation and development for forming a physical pattern. One or more post irradiation heating steps can be conducted around rest steps under a controlled environment. Process steps can involve ambient environments contacting the irradiated film that can be at low pressures, such as no more than 150 Torr or under high relative humidity, such as at least about 65%. This processing can be effective to reduce dose-to-size performance to basically reduce irradiation dose to achieve target patterning.

Abstract: A rinse process is described for processing an initially patterned structure formed with an organometallic radiation sensitive material, in which the rinse process can remove portions of the composition remaining after pattern development to make the patterned structure more uniform such that a greater fraction of patterned structures can meet specifications. The radiation sensitive material can comprise alkyl tin oxide hydroxide compositions. The rinsing process can be effectively used to improve patterning of fine structures using extreme ultraviolet light.

Abstract: An organometallic precursor solution comprising an organic solvent, a radiation sensitive organometallic precursor composition with hydrolysable metal ligands, and a radical scavenger additive is described. The radical scavenger additive or a blend of radical scavenger additives can provide for improvements to the stability of an organometallic precursor solution, such as improvements to storage stability, shelf-life, and/or batch-to-batch reproducibility through mitigation of the effects of reactive compounds in the environment, such as oxygen. A structure having a substrate, a radiation patternable organometallic coating composition, and a radical scavenging additive is also described. The radical scavenger additive or a blend thereof can result in patterning improvements, such as by improving coating quality and reducing patterning variability. Methods of using a radical scavenging additive in the formation of a structure comprising a radiation patternable organometallic film are described.

Abstract: A method is described for stabilizing organometallic coating interfaces through the use of multilayer structures that incorporate an underlayer coating. The underlayer is composed of an organic polymer that has crosslinking and adhesion-promoting functional groups. The underlayer composition may include photoacid generators. Multilayer structures for patterning are described based on organometallic radiation sensitive patterning compositions, such as alkyl tin oxo hydroxo compositions, which are placed over a polymer underlayer.

Abstract: The processing of radiation patternable organometallic coatings is shown to be improved through the appropriate selection of post processing conditions between coating and development of the pattern. In particular, a coated wafer can be subjected to process delays to allow aging of the coating at various process points, in particular following irradiation. Process delays can be combined and interspersed with heating steps. The atmosphere above the coated wafer at various process steps can be adjusted to obtain desired improvements in the development of the pattern. Reactive gases can be beneficial with respect to improvement of coating properties.

Abstract: In the context of forming radiation patternable structures especially for EUV patterning, wafer structures are described comprising a substrate having a smooth top surface and a radiation sensitive organometallic coating having an average thickness of no more than 100 nm and no more than about 1 defect per square centimeter with a defect size of greater than 48 nm, evaluated with a 3 mm edge exclusion. Corresponding methods for forming a low defect coating comprise spin coating a purified radiation sensitive organometallic resist solution onto a wafer using a spin coater system comprising a delivery line and a delivery nozzle connected to the delivery line to form a coated wafer, and drying the coated wafer to form a radiation sensitive organometallic coating having no more than about 1 defect per square centimeter with a defect size of greater than 48 nm, evaluated with a 3 mm edge exclusion.

Abstract: Gas releasing compositions that can facilitate improved patterning of organometallic resists are described. The gas releasing compositions can release water, carbon dioxide, or alcohols in response to radiation or heating. A film-forming composition is composed of a flowable blend of a reactive gas releasing moiety, a matrix forming species, an organic solvent, and an optional activating agent. An underlayer composition is composed of a blend of a reactive gas releasing moiety, a polymer matrix and an optional activating additive. Multilayer structures are described based on organometallic radiation sensitive patterning compositions, such as alkyl tin oxo-hydroxo compositions, which are placed over a gas releasing underlayer formed on a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer. Methods for patterning multilayer structures are also described.

Abstract: In the context of forming radiation patternable structures especially for EUV patterning, wafer structures are described comprising a substrate having a smooth top surface and a radiation sensitive organometallic coating having an average thickness of no more than 100 nm and no more than about 1 defect per square centimeter with a defect size of greater than 48 nm, evaluated with a 3 mm edge exclusion. Corresponding methods for forming a low defect coating comprise spin coating a purified radiation sensitive organometallic resist solution onto a wafer using a spin coater system comprising a delivery line and a delivery nozzle connected to the delivery line to form a coated wafer, and drying the coated wafer to form a radiation sensitive organometallic coating having no more than about 1 defect per square centimeter with a defect size of greater than 48 nm, evaluated with a 3 mm edge exclusion.

Abstract: The processing of radiation patternable organometallic coatings is shown to be improved through the appropriate selection of post processing conditions between coating and development of the pattern. In particular, a coated wafer can be subjected to process delays to allow aging of the coating at various process points, in particular following irradiation. Process delays can be combined and interspersed with heating steps. The atmosphere above the coated wafer at various process steps can be adjusted to obtain desired improvements in the development of the pattern. Reactive gases can be beneficial with respect to improvement of coating properties.

Abstract: Multiple patterning approaches using radiation sensitive organometallic materials is described. In particular, multiple patterning approaches can be used to provide distinct multiple patterns of organometallic material on a hardmask or other substrate through a sequential approach that leads to a final pattern. The multiple patterning approach may proceed via sequential lithography steps with multiple organometallic layers and may involve a hardbake freezing after development of each pattern. Use of an organometallic resist with dual tone properties to perform pattern cutting and multiple patterning of a single organometallic layer are described. Corresponding structures are also described.

Abstract: The processing of radiation patternable organometallic coatings is shown to be improved through the appropriate selection of post processing conditions between coating and development of the pattern. In particular, a coated wafer can be subjected to process delays to allow aging of the coating at various process points, in particular following irradiation. Process delays can be combined and interspersed with heating steps. The atmosphere above the coated wafer at various process steps can be adjusted to obtain desired improvements in the development of the pattern. Reactive gases can be beneficial with respect to improvement of coating properties.

Abstract: Multiple patterning approaches using radiation sensitive organometallic materials is described. In particular, multiple patterning approaches can be used to provide distinct multiple patterns of organometallic material on a hardmask or other substrate through a sequential approach that leads to a final pattern. The multiple patterning approach may proceed via sequential lithography steps with multiple organometallic layers and may involve a hardbake freezing after development of each pattern. Use of an organometallic resist with dual tone properties to perform pattern cutting and multiple patterning of a single organometallic layer are described. Corresponding structures are also described.

Abstract: A method provides for performing a dry development of an organotin composition patterned with radiation and having a latent image. The method comprises developing a structure with a gas comprising a halogen based developer and an oxygen source compound, wherein the structure comprises a substrate with layer of composition with a latent image with regions with at least partially condensed tin oxide-hydroxide and separate regions with an organotin composition having carbon-tin bonds, and wherein the developing results in at least partial removal of the organotin composition having carbon-tin bonds. Contact with an oxidizing environment can be performed as a separate step followed by the halogen based thermal development. Suitable apparatuses provide for the desired processing.

Abstract: Patterning of organometallic radiation sensitive compositions is facilitated using a gaseous form of a contrast enhancing agent, which can include a carboxylic acid, an amide, a sulfonic acid, an alcohol, a diol, a silyl halide, a germanium halide, a tin halide, an amine, a thiol, or a mixture thereof, in which the mixture can be of the same class or different class of compounds. Contact with the contrast enhancing reactive compound is provided after irradiation of the organometallic composition to form a latent image. The contrast enhancing agent can be delivered before or after physical pattern development, and processing with the contrast enhancing agent can involve removal in a thermal process of some or substantially all of the non-irradiated organometallic composition. The contrast enhancing agent can be used in a dry thermal development step. If the contrast enhancing agent is used after a distinct development step, use of the contrast enhancing agent can involve improvement of the pattern quality.

Abstract: A rinse process is described for processing an initially patterned structure formed with an organometallic radiation sensitive material, in which the rinse process can remove portions of the composition remaining after pattern development to make the patterned structure more uniform such that a greater fraction of patterned structures can meet specifications. The radiation sensitive material can comprise alkyl tin oxide hydroxide compositions. The rinsing process can be effectively used to improve patterning of fine structures using extreme ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A rinse process is described for processing an initially patterned structure formed with an organometallic radiation sensitive material, in which the rinse process can remove portions of the composition remaining after pattern development to make the patterned structure more uniform such that a greater fraction of patterned structures can meet specifications. The radiation sensitive material can comprise alkyl tin oxide hydroxide compositions. The rinsing process can be effectively used to improve patterning of fine structures using extreme ultraviolet light.