Abstract: A method for manufacturing a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) stack is described. The method includes forming a temporary stack by depositing a bottom electrode comprising at least one metal layer; depositing a dielectric comprising at least one layer of a dielectric material having a first dielectric constant value; and depositing a top electrode comprising at least one metal layer. The step of depositing the bottom and/or top electrode includes depositing a non-conductive metal oxide layer directly in contact with the dielectric; and after the step of depositing the bottom and/or top electrode's non-conductive metal oxide layer and the dielectric, subjecting the temporary stack to a stimulus, which transforms the non-conductive metal oxide into a thermodynamically stable oxide having conductive properties or into a metal, and the dielectric material into a crystalline form having a second dielectric constant value higher than the first dielectric constant value, thereby creating the final MIM stack.

Abstract: An ink jet-printable composition, which comprises a compound having a reactive silyl group and which is suitable for printing on non-porous substrates such as a glass or ceramic, and a process of decorating non-porous substrates involving ink jet printing the composition onto the substrate, exposing the printed composition to actinic or electron beam radiation to initiate curing and heating the printed composition to a temperature of at least 100° C.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method that includes forming a first patternable material layer on a substrate; forming a second patternable material layer over the first patternable material layer; and performing a charged particle beam lithography exposure process to the first patternable material layer and the second patternable material layer, thereby forming a first latent feature in the first patternable material layer and a second latent feature in the second patternable material layer.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming diodes in which a first electrode is formed to have a pedestal extending upwardly from a base. At least one layer is deposited along an undulating topography that extends across the pedestal and base, and a second electrode is formed over the least one layer. The first electrode, at least one layer, and second electrode together form a structure that conducts current between the first and second electrodes when voltage of one polarity is applied to the structure, and that inhibits current flow between the first and second electrodes when voltage having a polarity opposite to said one polarity is applied to the structure. Some embodiments include diodes having a first electrode that contains two or more projections extending upwardly from a base, having at least one layer over the first electrode, and having a second electrode over the at least one layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a charged particle multi-beam lithography system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of charged particle doublets each having a first aperture and each configured to demagnify a beamlet incident upon the first aperture thereby producing a demagnified beamlet. The apparatus further includes a plurality of charged particle lenses each associated with one of the charged particle doublets, each having a second aperture, and each configured to receive the demagnified beamlet from the associated charged particle doublet and to realize one of two states: a switched-on state, wherein the demagnified beamlet is allowed to travel along a desired path, and a switched-off state, wherein the demagnified beamlet is prevented from traveling along the desired path. In embodiments, the first aperture is greater than the second aperture, thereby improving particle beam efficiency in the charged particle multi-beam lithography system.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a test photomask and a method for evaluating critical dimension changes in the test photomask. Various embodiments include a test photomask. The test photomask includes a plurality of cells having a varied density pattern. The plurality of cells include a first group of cells arranged along a first line, the first group of cells having a first combined density ratio. The plurality of cells also include a second group of cells arranged along a second line, the second group of cells having a second combined density ratio. In the plurality of cells, the second combined density ratio for the second group of cells is equal to the first combined density ratio of the first group of cells. The varied density pattern is configured to substantially neutralize fogging effects.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming diodes in which a first electrode is formed to have a pedestal extending upwardly from a base. At least one layer is deposited along an undulating topography that extends across the pedestal and base, and a second electrode is formed over the least one layer. The first electrode, at least one layer, and second electrode together form a structure that conducts current between the first and second electrodes when voltage of one polarity is applied to the structure, and that inhibits current flow between the first and second electrodes when voltage having a polarity opposite to said one polarity is applied to the structure. Some embodiments include diodes having a first electrode that contains two or more projections extending upwardly from a base, having at least one layer over the first electrode, and having a second electrode over the at least one layer.

Abstract: Provided is an integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing method. The method includes receiving a design layout of an IC, wherein the design layout includes a plurality of non-overlapping IC regions and each of the IC regions includes a same initial IC pattern. The method further includes dividing the IC regions into a plurality of groups based on a location effect analysis such that all IC regions in a respective one of the groups are to have substantially same location effect. The method further includes performing a correction to one IC region in each of the groups using a correction model that includes location effect; and copying the corrected IC region to other IC regions in the respective group. The method further includes storing the corrected IC design layout in a tangible computer-readable medium for use by a further IC process stage.

Abstract: Methods for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask defect mitigation by using multi-patterning lithography techniques. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit including identifying a position of a defect in a first EUV photolithographic mask, the photolithographic mask including a desired pattern and transferring the desired pattern to a photoresist material disposed on a semiconductor substrate. Transferring the desired pattern further transfers an error pattern feature to the photoresist material as a result of the defect in the first EUV photolithographic mask. The method further includes, using a second photolithographic mask, transferring a trim pattern to the photoresist material, wherein the trim pattern removes the error pattern feature from the photoresist material.

Abstract: There is provided a resist underlayer film composition for EUV lithography that is used in a device production process using EUV lithography, reduces adverse effects of EUV, and is effective for obtaining a good resist pattern, and to a method for forming a resist pattern that uses the resist underlayer film composition for EUV lithography. A resist underlayer film-forming composition for EUV lithography, including: a polymer having a repeating unit structure of formula (1): [where each of A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, and A6 is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or an ethyl group; X1 is formula (2), formula (3), formula (4), or formula (0): Q is formula (5) or formula (6): and a solvent. A resist underlayer film-forming composition for EUV lithography, comprising: the polymer having the repeating unit structure of formula (1); a crosslinkable compound; and a solvent.

Abstract: A method of forming a patterned chemical epitaxy template, for orientation of a self-assemblable block copolymer including first and second polymer blocks, on a surface of a substrate, the method including applying a primer layer of a primer composition to the surface, the primer composition including a first polymer moiety having a chemical affinity with the first polymer blocks and a second polymer moiety having a chemical affinity with the second polymer blocks, selectively exposing the surface, the primer layer and any overlying layer to actinic radiation to provide exposed and unexposed regions, to render labile the first polymer moiety in the exposed region, and removing the labile first polymer moiety from the exposed region to deplete the primer layer surface in the exposed region of first polymer moiety to form the patterned chemical epitaxy template.

Abstract: A apparatus includes a unit to operate a first dose of a beam corrected for a proximity effect for each of second mesh regions of a second mesh size obtained by dividing the first mesh size by a product of a natural number and a number of passes, by using a dose model using a dose threshold; a unit to operate a representative temperature rising due to heat transfer originating from irradiation of the beam by using a dose for an applicable pass of the first dose and a unit to operate a polynomial having a term obtained by multiplying a dose modulation coefficient based on the representative temperature by a pattern area density as an element, and a dose that makes a difference between a value obtained by operating the polynomial and the dose threshold within a tolerance is used.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming diodes in which a first electrode is formed to have a pedestal extending upwardly from a base. At least one layer is deposited along an undulating topography that extends across the pedestal and base, and a second electrode is formed over the least one layer. The first electrode, at least one layer, and second electrode together form a structure that conducts current between the first and second electrodes when voltage of one polarity is applied to the structure, and that inhibits current flow between the first and second electrodes when voltage having a polarity opposite to said one polarity is applied to the structure. Some embodiments include diodes having a first electrode that contains two or more projections extending upwardly from a base, having at least one layer over the first electrode, and having a second electrode over the at least one layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a 3 dimensional structure, includes: forming a stack of at least 2 layers of photo resist material having different photo resist sensitivities upon a substrate; exposing the stack to beams of electromagnetic radiation or charged particles of different dosages to achieve selective solubility along a height of the stack; and dissolving soluble portions of the stack with a solvent to produce a 3 dimensional structure of desired geometry.

Abstract: A pattern-forming method includes in this order: step (1) of forming a film with an electron beam-sensitive or extreme ultraviolet radiation-sensitive resin composition that contains (A) a resin having an acid-decomposable repeating unit and capable of decreasing a solubility of the resin (A) in a developer containing an organic solvent by an action of an acid, (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an electron beam or extreme ultraviolet radiation and (C) a solvent; step (2) of exposing the film with an electron beam or extreme ultraviolet radiation; and step (4) of forming a negative pattern by development of the film with a developer containing an organic solvent after the exposing of the film, wherein a content of the compound (B) is 21% by mass to 70% by mass on the basis of all solids content of the composition.

Abstract: A drawing apparatus for performing drawing on a substrate with a charged particle beam, includes: a controller configured to control a dose of the charge particle beam at each of a plurality of positions of the charged particle beam on the substrate based on information of displacement of each of the plurality of positions from a target position corresponding thereto and a target dose of the charged particle beam at the target position corresponding to each of the plurality of positions.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for sectioning by etching of monolayers and multilayers using an RIE technique with fluorine-based chemistry. In one embodiment, the process uses Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) alone or in combination with Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) using fluorine-based chemistry alone and using sufficient power to provide high ion energy to increase the etching rate and to obtain deeper anisotropic etching. In a second embodiment, a process is provided for sectioning of WSi2/Si multilayers using RIE in combination with ICP using a combination of fluorine-based and chlorine-based chemistries and using RF power and ICP power. According to the second embodiment, a high level of vertical anisotropy is achieved by a ratio of three gases; namely, CHF3, Cl2, and O2 with RF and ICP. Additionally, in conjunction with the second embodiment, a passivation layer can be formed on the surface of the multilayer which aids in anisotropic profile generation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a resist underlayer film composition, the resist underlayer film composition contains a truxene compound having a substituted or an unsubstituted naphthol group as shown by the following general formula (1). There can be provided a resist underlayer film composition to form a resist underlayer film being capable of reducing reflectance and having high etching resistance, heat resistance.

Abstract: In a plasma etching method of performing a plasma etching on an amorphous carbon layer of a substrate to be processed by using an inorganic film as a mask, the substrate being mounted in a processing chamber, the plasma etching on the amorphous carbon layer is performed by using O2 gas as a processing gas and the O2 gas to flow in the processing chamber such that a residence time of the O2 gas becomes 0.37 msec or less. The amorphous carbon layer is used as an etching mask of an etching target film formed on the substrate. The plasma etching is performed by using the O2 gas only.

Abstract: An electron beam exposure method includes the steps of: preparing an exposure mask having a plurality of opening patterns formed by dividing a drawing object pattern into exposable regions; and drawing the drawing object pattern by performing exposure with an electron beam passing through the opening patterns of the exposure mask. Each end portion serving as a joint in each opening pattern of the exposure mask is provided with a joining portion tapered in a width of the opening pattern. The exposure is performed in such a way that portions drawn through adjacent joining portions overlap each other.

Abstract: A multi charged particle beam writing apparatus according to an embodiment, includes a setting unit to set a second region such that more openings in remaining openings except for an opening through which the defective beam passes are included in the second region, a selection unit to select a mode from a first mode in which a pattern is written on a target object by using multiple beams having passed openings in the second region and a second mode in which multiple writing is performed while shifting a position by using at least one of remaining multiple beams in the state where the defective beam is controlled to be beam off and additional writing is performed for a position which was supposed to be written by the defective beam, and a writing processing control unit to control to write in the mode selected.

Abstract: Herein, an improved technique for processing a substrate is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for processing a substrate. The method may comprise directing an ion beam comprising a plurality of ions along an ion beam path, from an ion source to the substrate; disposing at least a portion of a mask in the ion beam path, between the ion source and the substrate; and translating one of the substrate and the mask relative to other one of the substrate and the mask.

Abstract: A charged particle beam writing apparatus includes a storage unit to store each pattern data of plural figure patterns arranged in each of plural small regions made by virtually dividing a writing region of a target workpiece to be written on which resist being coated. The charged particle beam writing apparatus further including an assignment unit to assign each pattern data of each figure pattern to be arranged in each of the plural small regions concerned, and a writing unit to write, for each of plural groups, each figure pattern in each of the plural small regions concerned by using a charged particle beam.

Abstract: A method and system for fracturing or mask data preparation are presented in which overlapping shots are generated to increase dosage in selected portions of a pattern, thus improving the fidelity and/or the critical dimension variation of the transferred pattern. In various embodiments, the improvements may affect the ends of paths or lines, or square or nearly-square patterns. Simulation is used to determine the pattern that will be produced on the surface.

Abstract: An aqueous solution containing 0.1-20 wt % of a substituted choline or thiocholine hydroxide is a useful developer for photosensitive resist materials. A resist pattern is formed by applying a chemically amplified positive resist composition onto a substrate to form a resist film, exposing the resist film to high-energy radiation, and developing the exposed resist film in an ammonium hydroxide-containing aqueous solution.

Abstract: A mask for forming a black matrix for a display device that includes a data line having a bending structure with respect to a central portion of a pixel region includes a edge frame having a rectangular shape, and a base plate disposed on the edge frame and including a light-transmitting portion and a light-blocking portion, wherein the light-transmitting portion includes first light-transmitting patterns and light-controlling portions between adjacent first light-transmitting patterns, and the light-transmitting portion further includes a bending portion corresponding to the central portion of the pixel region, and wherein the bending portion is disposed with a same distance from the light-transmitting patterns adjacent thereto.

Abstract: An aqueous solution containing 0.1-20 wt % of a cyclic ammonium hydroxide is a useful developer for photosensitive resist materials. A resist pattern is formed by applying a chemically amplified positive resist composition onto a substrate to form a resist film, exposing the resist film to high-energy radiation, and developing the exposed resist film in a cyclic ammonium hydroxide-containing aqueous solution.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes a patterned and cured dielectric layer located directly on a surface of a patterned permanent antireflective coating. The patterned and cured dielectric layer and the permanent antireflective coating form shaped openings. The shaped openings include an inverse profile which narrows towards a top of the shaped openings. A conductive structure fills the shaped openings wherein the patterned and cured dielectric layer and the permanent antireflective coating each have a conductively filled region.

Abstract: The pattern forming method of the present invention includes (i) forming a film using an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition which contains a resin (A) which has a repeating unit including a group capable of generating a polar group by being decomposed due to an action of an acid and a repeating unit including a carboxyl group, a compound (B) which generates an acid according to irradiation with actinic rays or radiation, and a solvent (C); (ii) exposing the film using a KrF excimer laser, extreme ultraviolet rays, or an electron beam; and (iii) forming a negative tonetone pattern by developing the exposed film using a developer which includes an organic solvent.

Abstract: A resist composition comprising a polymer comprising recurring units (a) of formula (1) and having a Mw of 1,000-500,000 as base resin is provided. R1 is H or methyl, X is a single bond or —C(?O)—O—R5—, R2 is a single bond or C1-C4 alkylene, R3 is C2-C8 alkylene, R4 is an acid labile group, R5 is a single bond or C1-C4 alkylene, and 0<a?1.0. The composition is of dual-tone type in that an intermediate dose region of resist film is dissolved in a developer, but unexposed and over-exposed regions of resist film are insoluble.

Abstract: A negative resist composition comprising a polymer comprising recurring units (a) of formula (1) and having a Mw of 1,000-500,000 as base resin is provided. R1 is H or methyl, X is a single bond or —C(?O)—O—R4—, R2 is a single bond or C1-C4 alkylene, R3 is C2-C8 alkylene, R4 is a single bond or C1-C4 alkylene, and 0<a?1.0. The composition exhibits a high resolution due to controlled acid diffusion and forms a resist film which is unsusceptible to swell in the developer and hence to pattern collapse.

Abstract: A method includes scanning a lithography mask with a repair process, and measuring back-scattered electron signals of back-scattered electrons generated from the scanning. An endpoint is determined from the back-scattered electron signals. A stop point is calculated from the endpoint. The step of scanning is stopped when the calculated stop point is reached.

Abstract: The present invention is a conductive polymer composition containing a ?-conjugated conductive polymer, a polyanion, and a gemini surfactant. There can be provided a conductive polymer composition that has excellent antistatic performance and excellent application properties, does not adversely affect a resist, and can be suitably used in lithography using electron beam or the like.

Abstract: There is provided an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition comprising: (A) a resin containing a repeating unit represented by the first specific formula and a repeating unit represented by the second specific formula, wherein the content of the repeating unit represented by the first specific formula is 35 mol % or more based on all repeating units in the resin (A), a resist film formed using the actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition.

Abstract: In a method for fracturing or mask data preparation or mask process correction for charged particle beam lithography, a plurality of shots are determined that will form a pattern on a surface, where shots are determined so as to reduce sensitivity of the resulting pattern to changes in beam blur (?f). In some embodiments, the sensitivity to changes in ?f is reduced by varying the charged particle surface dosage for a portion of the pattern. Methods for forming patterns on a surface, and for manufacturing an integrated circuit are also disclosed, in which pattern sensitivity to changes in ?f is reduced.

Abstract: There is provided an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition comprising (P) a resin containing a repeating unit represented by the specific formula (1) and a repeating unit represented by the specific formula (A); a resist film formed using the actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition; a pattern forming method comprising (i) a step of forming a film from the actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, (ii) a step of exposing the film, and (iii) a step of developing the exposed film by using a developer to form a pattern; a method for manufacturing an electronic device, comprising the pattern forming method, and an electronic device manufactured by the manufacturing method of an electronic device.

Abstract: A photoresist film containing a sulfonium or iodonium salt of carboxylic acid having an amino group has a high dissolution contrast and offers improved resolution, wide focus margin and minimal LWR when used as a positive resist film adapted for alkaline development and a negative resist film adapted for organic solvent development.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method, including a) transferring an initial pattern of an initial template to a substrate; b) performing block copolymer self-assembly over the substrate with a density multiplication factor k; c) creating a subsequent pattern in a subsequent template with the density multiplication factor k; and d) repeating steps a)-c) with the subsequent template as the initial template until a design specification for the subsequent pattern with respect to pattern density and pattern resolution is met.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dendrimer compound capable of improving critical dimension uniformity and DOF (depth of focus) margin, and also provides a composition capable of forming an underlayer film. The dendrimer compound comprises a branched chain having a central aromatic skeleton and amide or ester bond, and is contained in the composition for forming an underlayer film.

Abstract: A method of providing a photolithography pattern can be provided by identifying at least one weak feature from among a plurality of features included in a photolithography pattern based on a feature parameter that is compared to a predetermined identification threshold value for the feature parameter. A first region of the weak feature can be classified as a first dosage region and a second region of the weak feature can be classified as a second dosage region. Related methods and apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reflective diffraction grating includes a substrate and a reflection-enhancing interference layer system. The reflection-enhancing interference layer system has alternating low refractive index dielectric layers having a refractive index n1 and high refractive index dielectric layers having a refractive index n2>n1. The reflective diffraction grating also includes a grating containing a grating structure, which is formed in the topmost low refractive index layer on a side of the interference layer system facing away from the substrate, and a cover layer, which conformally covers the grating structure. The cover layer has a refractive index n3>n1.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a substrate including coating a first resist onto a hardmask, exposing regions of the first resist to electromagnetic radiation at a dose of 10.0 mJ/cm2 or greater and removing a portion of said the and forming guiding features. The method also includes etching the hardmask to form isolating features in the hardmask, applying a second resist within the isolating features forming regions of the second resist in the hardmask, and exposing regions of the second resist to electromagnetic radiation having a dose of less than 10.0 mJ/cm2 and forming elements.

Abstract: A resist composition comprises a metal compound obtained from reaction of a starting metal compound having formula (A-1) or a (partial) hydrolyzate or condensate or (partial) hydrolytic condensate thereof, with a di- or trihydric alcohol having formula (A-2). M(OR1A)4??(A-1) R2A(OH)m??(A-2) In formula (A-1), M is Ti, Zr or Hf, and R1A is alkyl. In formula (A-2), m is 2 or 3, R2A is a divalent group when m=2 or a trivalent group when m=3. The resist composition exhibits improved resolution and edge roughness when processed by the EB or EUV lithography.

Abstract: A drawing apparatus performs drawing on a first partial region and a second partial region. The first and second partial regions having an overlap region in which the first and second partial regions overlap each other. The apparatus includes a transformation device configured to transform first pattern data for the first partial region into first quantized pattern data in accordance with a first transformation rule, and to transform second pattern data for the second partial region into second quantized pattern data in accordance with a second transformation rule different from the first transformation rule, and a controller configured to control the drawing on the first partial region based on the first quantized pattern data, and to control the drawing on the second partial region based on the second quantized pattern data.

Abstract: Polymer films comprising crosslinked random copolymers and methods for making the films are provided. Also provided are polymer films comprising random copolymers that are covalently linked to an underlying substrate. The polymer films can be incorporated into structures in which the films are employed as surface-modifying layers for domain-forming block copolymers and the structures can be used for pattern transfer applications via block copolymer lithography. The crosslinks between the random copolymer chains in the polymer films or the links between the random copolymer chains and the substrate surface are characterized in that they can be cleaved under relatively mild conditions.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods, systems and devices for using charged particle beam tools to pattern and inspect a substrate. The inventors have discovered that it is highly advantageous to use write and inspection tools that share the same or substantially the same stage and the same or substantially the same designs for respective arrays of multiple charged particle beam columns, and that access the same design layout database to target and pattern or inspect features. By using design-matched charged particle beam tools, correlation of defectivity is preserved between inspection imaging and the design layout database. As a result, image-based defect identification and maskless design correction, of random and systematic errors, can be performed directly in the design layout database, enabling a fast yield ramp.

Abstract: A method includes performing a beam scan on a photolithography mask to repair the photolithography mask. After the beam scan, a radiation treatment is performed on the photolithography mask. The method is performed by an apparatus including a beam generator configured to generate and project a beam on the lithography mask, a radiation source configured to generate a radiation on the lithography mask, and a process gas source configured to release a process gas onto the lithography mask. The process as reacts with a surface portion of the lithography mask to repair the lithography mask. With the radiation treatment, residue process gas on the lithography mask is removed.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods, systems and devices for using charged particle beam tools to pattern and inspect a substrate. The inventors have discovered that it is highly advantageous to use write and inspection tools that share the same or substantially the same stage and the same or substantially the same designs for respective arrays of multiple charged particle beam columns, and that access the same design layout database to target and pattern or inspect features. By using design-matched charged particle beam tools, correlation of defectivity is preserved between inspection imaging and the design layout database. As a result, image-based defect identification and maskless design correction, of random and systematic errors, can be performed directly in the design layout database, enabling a fast yield ramp.

Abstract: Self-aligned via and plug patterning for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects are described. In an example, a structure for directed self-assembly includes a substrate and a block co-polymer structure disposed above the substrate. The block co-polymer structure has a polystyrene (PS) component and a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) component. One of the PS component or the PMMA component is photosensitive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a demagnetizing apparatus for demagnetization of an object, comprising a coil configured to generate a magnetic field for demagnetizing the object, and a supply device configured to supply, to the coil, an alternating current whose amplitude decreases with time, wherein the supply device supplies the alternating current to the coil such that an amplitude of the alternating current is larger than an absolute value of a current value at which magnetic saturation is occurred in the object in a first period, an absolute value of a rate of change in amplitude of the alternating current is larger than that in the first period in a second period, and an amplitude of the alternating current is smaller than an absolute value of a current value corresponding to a coercive force of the object in a third period.