Abstract: Electric fields may be advantageously used in various steps of photolithographic processes. For example, prior to the pre-exposure bake, photoresists that have been spun-on the wafer may be exposed to an electric field to orient aggregates or other components within the unexposed photoresist. By aligning these aggregates or other components with the electric field, line edge roughness may be reduced, for example in connection with 193 nanometer photoresist. Likewise, during exposure, electric fields may be applied through uniquely situated electrodes or using a radio frequency coil. In addition, electric fields may be applied at virtually any point in the photolithography process by depositing a conductive electrode, which is subsequently removed during development. Finally, electric fields may be applied during the developing process to improve line edge roughness.

Abstract: Electric fields may be advantageously used in various steps of photolithographic processes. For example, prior to the pre-exposure bake, photoresists that have been spun-on the wafer may be exposed to an electric field to orient aggregates or other components within the unexposed photoresist. By aligning these aggregates or other components with the electric field, line edge roughness may be reduced, for example in connection with 193 nanometer photoresist. Likewise, during exposure, electric fields may be applied through uniquely situated electrodes or using a radio frequency coil. In addition, electric fields may be applied at virtually any point in the photolithography process by depositing a conductive electrode, which is subsequently removed during development. Finally, electric fields may be applied during the developing process to improve line edge roughness.

Abstract: By using a branched long chained chain scission polymer as a photoresist for high resolution extreme ultraviolet (EUV), e-beam or 193 nanometer lithography applications, a relatively higher molecular weight polymer with good mechanical properties may be achieved. In addition, by using chain scission technology, line edge roughness and resolution may be improved at the same time.

Abstract: A helical pixilated photoresist includes a photoacid generator, a photoimageable polymer comprising a self-assembly moiety and a solubility switch, the photoimageable polymer having a helical structure. In one embodiment the helical pixilated photoresist is formed of a photoimageable polymer comprising a pyridine-based quencher copolymer and a solubility switch copolymer, wherein the photoimageable polymer has a helical structure formed by pi-stacking of the pyridine-based quencher copolymer. The helical pixilated photoresist is applied to a substrate and irradiated and developed to form a patterned photoresist.

Abstract: A semiconductor process technique to help reduce semiconductor process effects, such as undesired line edge roughness, insufficient lithographical resolution, and limited depth of focus problems associated with the removal of a photoresist layer. More particularly, embodiments of the invention use a photoacid generator (PAG) material in conjunction with a sacrificial light absorbing material (SLAM) to help reduce these and other undesired effects associated with the removal of photoresist in a semiconductor manufacturing process. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention allow a PAG to be applied in a semiconductor manufacturing process in an efficient manner, requiring fewer processing operations than typical prior art techniques.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes introducing a precursor containing hydrocarbon substituents and optionally a second conventional or hydrocarbon-containing precursor into a vapor deposition apparatus; and forming a dielectric layer having the hydrocarbon substituents on a substrate within the vapor deposition apparatus from the precursor(s). In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the hydrocarbon substituents may be later removed from the dielectric layer to reduce density thereof.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin film on a substrate to fabricate a microelectronic device, a microelectronic device comprising a thin film deposited according to the method, and a system comprising the microelectronic device. The thin film may include on of a low k thin film, a thin film comprising photoresist, and a sacrificial polymer. The method comprises dispersing a precursor preparation into a spray of charged droplets through subjecting the liquid precursor preparation to electrostatic forces; directing the charged droplets to move toward the substrate; and allowing the charged droplets to generate a beam of gas-phase ions as the charged droplets move toward the substrate. The method further includes directing the gas-phase ions to impinge upon the substrate to deposit the thin film thereon to yield a deposited thin film on the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure may be covered with a thermally decomposing film. That film may then be covered by a sealing cover. Subsequently, the thermally decomposing material may be decomposed, forming a cavity.

Abstract: Numerous embodiments of a method to assay sacrificial material are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sacrificial material may be analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. Chemical markers that correlate with material contaminants in the sacrificial material may be identified.

Abstract: A method of forming and a device including an interconnect structure having a unidirectional electrical conductive material is described. The unidirectional conductive material may overlie interconnect materials, and/or may surround interconnect materials, such as by lining the walls and base of a trench and via. The unidirectional conductive material may be configured to conduct electricity in a direction corresponding to a projection to or from a contact point and conductive material overlying the unidirectional conductive material, but have no substantial electrical conductivity in other directions. Moreover, the unidirectional conductive material may be electrically conductive in a direction normal to a surface over which it is formed or in directions along or across a plane, but have no substantial electrical conductivity in other directions.

Abstract: A semiconductor process technique to help reduce semiconductor process effects, such as undesired line edge roughness, insufficient lithographical resolution, and limited depth of focus problems associated with the removal of a photoresist layer. More particularly, embodiments of the invention use a photoacid generator (PAG) material in conjunction with a sacrificial light absorbing material (SLAM) to help reduce these and other undesired effects associated with the removal of photoresist in a semiconductor manufacturing process. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention allow a PAG to be applied in a semiconductor manufacturing process in an efficient manner, requiring fewer processing operations than typical prior art techniques.

Abstract: Several techniques are described for modulating the etch rate of a sacrificial light absorbing material (SLAM) by altering its composition so that it matches the etch rate of a surrounding dielectric. This particularly useful in a dual damascene process where the SLAM fills a via opening and is etched along with a surrounding dielectric material to form trenches overlying the via opening.

Abstract: Multiple-layer films in integrated circuit processing may be formed by the phase segregation of a single composition formed above a semiconductor substrate. The composition is then induced to phase segregate into at least a first continuous phase and a second continuous phase. The composition may be formed of two or more components that phase segregate into different continuous layers. The composition may also be a single component that breaks down upon activation into two or more components that phase segregate into different continuous layers. Phase segregation may be used to form, for example, a sacrificial light absorbing material (SLAM) and a developer resistant skin, a dielectric layer and a hard mask, a photoresist and an anti-reflective coating (ARC), a stress buffer coating and a protective layer on a substrate package, and light interference layers.

Abstract: The transparency of photoresist films to ultraviolet light may be increased without sacrificing photospeed or resolution of the photoresist by including ultraviolet light transparent nanoparticles to the photoresist formulations. The ultraviolet light transparent nanoparticles may be included in the photoresist formulations as filler to “dilute” the ultraviolet light opacity of the photoresist, as side-chains to the photoimageable species that form the photoresist matrix, or as the photoimageable species themselves that form the backbone of the photoresist matrix. The photoresist formulation may also be a hybrid solution of any of these variations on the inclusion of the ultraviolet light transparent nanoparticles. The ultraviolet light transparent nanoparticles may mostly contain carbon or silicon.

Abstract: Carborane may be used as a precursor to form low dielectric constant dielectrics. The carborane material may be modified to enable it to be deposited by chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A deliberately engineered placement and size constraint (molecular weight distribution) of photoacid generators, solubility switches, photoimageable species, and quenchers forms individual pixels within a photoresist. Upon irradiation, a self-contained reaction occurs within each of the individual pixels that were irradiated to pattern the photoresist. These pixels may take on a variety of forms including a polymer chain, a bulky cluster, a micelle, or a micelle formed of several polymer chains. Furthermore, these pixels may be designed to self-assemble onto the substrate on which the photoresist is applied.

Abstract: A method including introducing a precursor in the presence of a circuit substrate, and forming a film including a reaction product of the precursor on the substrate, wherein the precursor includes a molecule comprising a primary species of the film and a modifier. A method including introducing a precursor in the presence of a circuit substrate, the precursor including a primary species and a film modifier as a single source, and forming a film on the circuit substrate. An apparatus including a semiconductor substrate, and a film on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, the film including a reaction product of a precursor including a molecule comprising a primary species and a modifier.

Abstract: Photoresists may be formed over a structure that has been modified so as to poison a lower layer of the photoresist. Then, when the photoresist is patterned, it is only patterned down to the poisoned layer. The poisoned layer may be removed subsequently. However, because of the use of the modification process, the critical dimensions of the photoresist may be improved in some embodiments.

Abstract: A cap may be formed anisotropically over a photoresist feature. For example, a material, such as a polymer, may be coated over the photoresist feature. If the coated material is photoactive, the cap may be grown preferentially in the vertical direction, creating high aspect ratio structures in some embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: A basic developer/quencher solution formulated to include at least one supercritical fluid or liquid solvent and a base may be used to quench a photo-generated acid within a photoresist as well as develop the photoresist. The supercritical fluid or liquid solvent may be carbon dioxide and the base may be quaternary ammonium salt that has side groups that increase the solubility of the quaternary ammonium salt in carbon dioxide.