Abstract: A method for patterning a substrate includes providing a substrate, and depositing a multi-layer stack including N layers on the substrate. N is an integer greater than one. The N layers include N mean free paths for secondary electrons, respectively. The method includes depositing a photoresist layer on the multi-layer stack, wherein the N mean free paths converge in the photoresist layer. Another method for patterning a substrate includes providing a substrate and depositing a layer on the substrate. The layer includes varying mean free paths for secondary electrons. The method includes depositing a photoresist layer on the layer. The varying mean free paths for secondary electrons converge in the photoresist layer.

Abstract: A virtual fabrication environment for semiconductor device fabrication that determines a lowest lithography exposure dose range in which one or more defects are still reparable by deposition and etch operations is discussed. Further techniques for repairing line edge roughness caused by lithography are described.

Abstract: A virtual fabrication environment for semiconductor device fabrication that determines a lowest lithography exposure dose range in which one or more defects are still reparable by deposition and etch operations is discussed. Further techniques for repairing line edge roughness caused by lithography are described.

Abstract: A method for etching an organic anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer on a substrate in a plasma processing system comprising: introducing a process gas comprising ammonia (NH3), and a passivation gas; forming a plasma from the process gas; and exposing the substrate to the plasma. The process gas can, for example, constitute NH3 and a hydrocarbon gas such as at least one of C2H4, CH4, C2H2, C2H6, C3H4, C3H6, C3H8, C4H6, C4H8, C4H10, C5H8, C5H10, C6H6, C6H10, and C6H12. Additionally, the process chemistry can further comprise the addition of helium. The present invention further presents a method for forming a bilayer mask for etching a thin film on a substrate, wherein the method comprises: forming the thin film on the substrate; forming an ARC layer on the thin film; forming a photoresist pattern on the ARC layer; and transferring the photoresist pattern to the ARC layer with an etch process using a process gas comprising ammonia (NH3), and a passivation gas.

Abstract: A method for etching an organic anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer on a substrate in a plasma processing system comprising: introducing a process gas comprising ammonia (NH3), and a passivation gas; forming a plasma from the process gas; and exposing the substrate to the plasma. The process gas can, for example, constitute NH3 and a hydrocarbon gas such as at least one of C2H4, CH4, C2H2, C2H6, C3H4, C3H6, C3H8, C4H6, C4H8, C4H10, C5H8, C5H10, C6H6, C6H10, and C6H12. Additionally, the process chemistry can further comprise the addition of helium. The present invention further presents a method for forming a bilayer mask for etching a thin film on a substrate, wherein the method comprises: forming the thin film on the substrate; forming an ARC layer on the thin film; forming a photoresist pattern on the ARC layer; and transferring the photoresist pattern to the ARC layer with an etch process using a process gas comprising ammonia (NH3), and a passivation gas.

Abstract: A method for etching an organic anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer on a substrate in a plasma processing system comprising: introducing a process gas comprising ammonia (NH3), and a passivation gas; forming a plasma from the process gas; and exposing the substrate to the plasma. The process gas can, for example, constitute NH3 and a hydrocarbon gas such as at least one of C2H4, CH4, C2H2, C2H6, C3H4, C3H6, C3H8, C4H6, C4H8, C4H10, C5H8, C5H10, C6H6, C6H10, and C6H12. Additionally, the process chemistry can further comprise the addition of helium. The present invention further presents a method for forming a bilayer mask for etching a thin film on a substrate, wherein the method comprises: forming the thin film on the substrate; forming an ARC layer on the thin film; forming a photoresist pattern on the ARC layer; and transferring the photoresist pattern to the ARC layer with an etch process using a process gas comprising ammonia (NH3), and a passivation gas.

Abstract: A process and system for anisoptropically dry etching through a doped silicon layer is described. The process chemistry comprises a nitrogen containing gas and a fluorocarbon gas. For example, the process chemistry comprises CF4, C4F8 and N2.

Abstract: A method and system for etching an organic layer on a substrate in a plasma processing system comprising: introducing a process gas comprising NxOy, wherein x, y represent integers greater than or equal to unity. Additionally, the process chemistry can further comprise the addition of an inert gas, such as a Noble gas (i.e., He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, Rn). The present invention further presents a method for forming a bilayer mask for etching a thin film on a substrate, wherein the method comprises: forming the thin film on the substrate; forming an organic layer on the thin film; forming a photoresist pattern on the organic layer; and transferring the photoresist pattern to the organic layer with an etch process using a process gas comprising NxOy, wherein x, y represent integers greater than or equal to unity.

Abstract: A method for etching an organic anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer on a substrate in a plasma processing system comprising: introducing a process gas comprising ammonia (NH3), and a passivation gas; forming a plasma from the process gas; and exposing the substrate to the plasma. The process gas can, for example, constitute NH3 and a hydrocarbon gas such as at least one of C2H4, CH4, C2H2, C2H6, C3H4, C3H6, C3H8, C4H6, C4H8, C4H10, C5H8, C5H10, C6H6, C6H10, and C6H12. Additionally, the process chemistry can further comprise the addition of helium. The present invention further presents a method for forming a bilayer mask for etching a thin film on a substrate, wherein the method comprises: forming the thin film on the substrate; forming an ARC layer on the thin film; forming a photoresist pattern on the ARC layer; and transferring the photoresist pattern to the ARC layer with an etch process using a process gas comprising ammonia (NH3), and a passivation gas.