Abstract: A composition including a first moiety; and a different second moiety capable of harvesting energy from an external source, wherein the second moiety is positioned such that energy harvested at the second moiety may be transferred to the first moiety. An article of manufacture including a film including a first moiety and a different second moiety capable of harvesting energy from an external source, wherein the second moiety is positioned such that collectively the first and second moieties have an electron capture cross-section greater than the electron capture cross-section of the first moiety alone. A method including forming a film on a substrate including a first moiety and a different second moiety; exposing the film to photonic or charged particle radiation; and patterning the film.

Abstract: A method of making an electronics substrate is provided. A material is deposited on a base component. The material has a first composition and includes a polymer. A pattern is imprinted into the material by contacting the material with a die and moving a profile of the die into the material. The material is then modified while being held in the profile of the die to cause at least partial curing of the material due to a change in composition of the material from a first composition to a second composition. The die is then removed from the material. Electric conductors are then formed in trenches of the pattern.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the concentration and removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions are described, comprising treating the aqueous solutions with photoswitchable ionophores.

Abstract: The invention provides a layer of photosensitive material that may be directly patterned. The photosensitive material may then be decomposed to leave voids or air gaps in the layer. This may provide a low dielectric constant layer with reduced resistance capacitance delay characteristics.

Abstract: Method and structure for minimizing the downsides associated with microelectronic device processing adjacent porous dielectric materials are disclosed. In particular, chemical protocols are disclosed wherein porous dielectric materials may be sealed by attaching coupling agents to the surfaces of pores. The coupling agents may form all or part of caps on reactive groups in the dielectric surface or may crosslink to seal pores in the dielectric.

Abstract: Carborane based PAG's are bulky, produce a strong and large superacid, and have polarities that are compatible with the chemically amplified polymers typically used in photoresists. Carborane based PAG's also provide another broad class of bulky PAG's that may be used in photoresist formulations that offer flexibility in acid strength and polarity through changes in chemical structure. These PAG's may be used with EUV wavelengths, 157 nm, or 193 nm. Resolution and critical dimension control may be improved through the use of carborane based PAG's.

Abstract: Anti-reflective materials such as bottom anti-reflective coatings (BARC's) and sacrificial light absorbing materials (SLAM) may be made more effective at preventing coherent light or electron beam reflection from a substrate by including in the anti-reflective material an additive to alter the radiation beam path of the reflected light or electrons. The radiation beam path altering additive may be a reflective material or a refractive material. The inclusion of such a radiation beam bath altering additive may reduce line width roughness and increase critical dimension (CD) control of interconnect lines and vias.

Abstract: Compositions for immersion liquid materials and associated immersion lithography systems and techniques. Examples of polymer or oligomer-based immersion liquids are described to exhibit superior material properties for immersion lithography in comparison with water and some other commonly-used immersion liquids. In addition, certain material additives may be added to water and water-based immersion liquids to improve the performance of the immersion liquids in immersion lithography.

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: Method and structure for minimizing the downsides associated with microelectronic device processing adjacent porous dielectric materials are disclosed. In particular, chemical protocols are disclosed wherein porous dielectric materials may be sealed by attaching coupling agents to the surfaces of pores. The coupling agents may form all or part of caps on reactive groups in the dielectric surface or may crosslink to seal pores in the dielectric.

Abstract: A composite sacrificial material is deposited in a void or opening in a dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate. The composite sacrificial material includes a polymeric or oligomeric matrix with filler material mixed therein. The filler material may be particulate matter that may be used to modify one or more properties of the composite sacrificial material during semiconductor processing.

Abstract: By using a branched long chained chain scission polymer as a photoresist for EUV and 157 nanometer 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: 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 is 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: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and compositions for providing photoresists with improved liquid-contact properties. For one embodiment of the invention, a photoresist is provided having one or more constituent components that are resistant to diffusion between the photoresist and an index-matching liquid (IML). For such an embodiment in which the IML is water, a photoresist component is provided that is hydrophobic thus reducing diffusion between the photoresist and the water. In various alternative embodiments of the invention, a photoresist is provided having one or more constituent components that encourage diffusion between the photoresist layer and the IML in such manner as to impart beneficial liquid-contact properties to the photoresist layer. For such an embodiment in which the IML is water, a photoresist is provided having one or more hydrophilic constituents.

Abstract: Line edge roughness may be reduced by treating a patterned photoresist with a plasticizer. The plasticizer may be utilized in a way to surface treat the photoresist after development. Thereafter, the plasticized photoresist may be subjected to a heating step to reflow the photoresist. The reflow process may reduce the line edge roughness of the patterned, developed photoresist.

Abstract: Materials may be utilized as photoresists which have relatively plasma poor etch resistance. Examples include acrylates and fluorinated polymers, which have very good transparency but poor etch resistance. Materials with relatively poor etch resistance may be first applied to the semiconductor wafer and patterned. After they have been patterned, their etch resistance may be improved. For example, the etch resistance may be improved by applying an absorbate which may be cross-linked or polymerized to increase the etch resistance of the already patterned material. Thereafter, the material with the improved etch resistance may be used as an etching mask.

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: An embodiment of the present invention includes a technique to provide a highly absorptive resist. A resist is formed using a highly absorbing material. The resist is thinned to a pre-determined thickness used as an imaging layer. The efficiency of a photoactive acid generator (PAG) is improved to capture secondary electrons produced by an ionizing radiation in the resist.

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: By using a branched long chained chain scission polymer as a photoresist for EUV and 157 nanometer 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.