Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel antireflecting coating composition, where the composition comprises a polymer, thermal acid generator and a solvent composition. The invention further comprises processes for the use of such a composition in photolithography. The composition strongly absorbs radiation ranging from about 130 nm (nanometer) to about 250 nm.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the generation of an antireflective bottom layer with effective reduction of substrate reflectivity and swing curve effects in lithographic applications. It involves the use of a suitably selected monomeric and/or polymeric dye which brings the real part of the refractive index into a range which is optimal for the suppression of reflection-related effects. The refractive index change is effected via anomalous dispersion, i.e., by utilizing changes in the real part of the refractive index caused by the bottom layer's absorption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antireflective coating composition comprising a novel polymer in a solvent composition. The invention further comprises processes for using the antireflective coating composition in photolithography. The antireflective coating composition comprises a novel polymer and a solvent composition, where the novel polymer of the antireflective coating comprises at least one unit containing a dye that absorbs from about 180 nm to about 450 nm and at least one unit that contains no aromatic funtionality. The solvent may be organic, preferrably, a solvent of low toxicity, or it may be water, which may additionally contain other water miscible organic solvents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel polymer suitable for use as an antireflective coating or as an additive in photoresist for absorption of reflected light. The novel polymer comprises at least one unit containing a dye that absorbs from about 180 nm to about 450 nm and at least one unit that contains no aromatic funtionality. The polymer is soluble in organic solvents, preferrably solvents of low toxicity, or it may be soluble in water, which may additionally contain other water miscible organic solvents.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a lift-off imaging profile which comprises the steps of:a) providing a first layer of plasma etchable material wherein said material has a film thickness less than about 0.5 .mu.m (micrometer);b) providing a second layer comprising a photoimageable material on top of the first layer;c) forming a pattern in said second layer which comprises the steps of selectively exposing and developing the second layer;d) reacting the second layer with an organosilicon material; ande) etching the first layer isotropically in an oxygen atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel antireflective coating solution and a process for its use in photolithography. The antireflective coating solution comprises a novel polymer and an organic solvent or a mixture of organic solvents, where the novel polymer comprises a unit containing a dye that absorbs from about 180 nm to about 450 nm and a unit containing a crosslinking group.

Abstract: A light-sensitive positive photoresist composition containing a film forming novolak resin, a quinone-diazide photoactive compound, a solvent, and a 2,4-dinitro-1-naphthol dye, where the dye is present at a level greater than 0.5 weight percent of the total photoresist composition. The dye reduces the linewidth variation of the resist pattern on a reflective substrate without significantly reducing the lithographic performance of the light-sensitive composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing water insoluble, aqueous alkali soluble novolak resins having a precise and consistent molecular weight, by adjusting the concentration of Lewis base. A method is also provided for producing photoresist composition from such novolak resins and for producing semiconductor devices using such photoresist compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel aqueous antireflective coating solution and a process for its use in photolithography. The antireflective coating solution comprises a novel polymer and water, where the novel polymer of the antireflective coating comprises at least one unit containing a dye that absorbs from about 180 nm to about 450 nm, at least one unit containing a crosslinking group and at least one unit derived from a hydrophilic vinyl monomer or a vinyl monomer capable of becoming hydrophilic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel antireflective coating solution and a process for its use in photolithography. The antireflective coating solution comprises a novel polymer and an organic solvent or a mixture of organic solvents, where the novel polymer comprises a unit containing a dye that absorbs from about 180 nm to about 450 nm and a unit containing a crosslinking group.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing water insoluble, aqueous alkali soluble novolak resins having a precise and consistent molecular weight, by adjusting the concentration of Lewis base. A method is also provided for producing photoresist composition from such novolak resins and for producing semiconductor devices using such photoresist compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel matrix resin for high-temperature stable photoimageable compositions, in the form of a graft copolymer of monomeric or lower oligomeric hydroxyphenyl units grafted onto a polymer backbone containing reactive sites, to a process for its production and to its use as a matrix resin in photoimageable compositions either in a pure form or in admixture with other polymeric materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing water insoluble, aqueous alkali soluble novolak resins having a very low level of metal ions and a substantially consistent molecular weight. A method is also provided for producing photoresist composition from such novolak resins and for producing semiconductor devices using such photoresist compositions.

Abstract: A photosensitizer comprising a diazo ester of benzolactone ring compound, such as phenolphthalein or cresolphthalein as the backbone, where at least one of the hydroxy groups on benzolactone ring has been esterified with diazo-sulfonyl chloride consisting of 60 to 100 mole % 2,1,4 or 2,1,5-diazo sulfonyl chloride or a mixture thereof, and a photoresist comprising an admixture of the photosensitizer, which is present in the photoresist composition in an amount sufficient to uniformly photosensitize the photoresist composition; a water insoluble, aqueous alkali soluble novolak resin, the novolak resin being present in the photoresist composition in an amount sufficient to form a substantially uniform photoresist composition and a suitable solvent.

Abstract: A photosensitizer comprising a diazo ester of benzolactone ring compound, such as phenolphthalein or cresolphthalein as the backbone, where at least one of the hydroxy groups on the benzolactone ring compound has been esterified with diazo-sulfonyl chloride consisting of 60 to 100 mole % 2,1,4 or 2,1,5-diazo sulfonyl chloride or a mixture thereof, and a photoresist comprising an admixture of the photosensitizer, which is present in the photoresist composition in an amount sufficient to uniformly photosensitize the photoresist composition; a water insoluble, aqueous alkali soluble novolak resin, the novolak resin being present in the photoresist composition in an amount sufficient to form a substantially uniform photoresist composition and a suitable solvent.