Abstract: A rinse process is described for processing an initially patterned structure formed with an organometallic radiation sensitive material, in which the rinse process can remove portions of the composition remaining after pattern development to make the patterned structure more uniform such that a greater fraction of patterned structures can meet specifications. The radiation sensitive material can comprise alkyl tin oxide hydroxide compositions. The rinsing process can be effectively used to improve patterning of fine structures using extreme ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the depth of focus process window during a lithography process includes applying a photoresist layer comprising a photoacid generator on a material layer disposed on a substrate, exposing a first portion of the photoresist layer unprotected by a photomask to light radiation in a lithographic exposure process, providing a thermal energy to the photoresist layer in a post-exposure baking process, applying an electric field or a magnetic field while performing the post-exposure baking process, and dynamically changing a frequency of the electric field as generated while providing the thermal energy to the photoresist layer.

Abstract: The present application provides novel methods for the fabrication of nanostructures. More specifically, the invention relates to direct electron beam lithography with the use of silk fibroin as “green” resists.

Abstract: Provided in one example herein is a liquid electrophotographic ink composition. The composition comprises a charge director; a non-polar carrier fluid comprising a polymer; and ink particles each comprising a polymeric resin mixture comprising a first polymeric resin having a first melting temperature and a second polymeric resin having a second melting temperature. The second polymeric resin may be a UV-curable polymer that is solid at room temperature, and the second melting temperature is lower than the first melting temperature.

Abstract: Organometallic solutions have been found to provide high resolution radiation based patterning using thin coatings. The patterning can involve irradiation of the coated surface with a selected pattern and developing the pattern with a developing agent to form the developed image. The patternable coatings may be susceptible to positive-tone patterning or negative-tone patterning based on the use of an organic developing agent or an aqueous acid or base developing agent. The radiation sensitive coatings can comprise a metal oxo/hydroxo network with organic ligands. A precursor solution can comprise an organic liquid and metal polynuclear oxo-hydroxo cations with organic ligands having metal carbon bonds and/or metal carboxylate bonds.

Abstract: There is provided a pattern forming method comprising (1) a step of forming a film by using an electron beam-sensitive or extreme ultraviolet-sensitive resin composition, (2) a step of exposing the film by using an electron beam or an extreme ultraviolet ray, and (3) a step of developing the exposed film by using an organic solvent-containing developer, wherein the electron beam-sensitive or extreme ultraviolet-sensitive resin composition contains (A) a resin containing (R) a repeating unit having a structural moiety capable of decomposing upon irradiation with an electron beam or an extreme ultraviolet ray to generate an acid, and (B) a solvent.

Abstract: Electrically-conductive articles are prepared to have electrically-conductive silver metal electrode grids on one or both supporting sides of a transparent substrate. Such articles are prepared by imagewise exposing conductive film element precursors having photosensitive silver halide layers, followed by development, fixing, and conductivity enhancement. The resulting silver image(s) can be treated with a stabilizing solution containing 0.5-50 mmol/l of specific stabilizing agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer compound including a dye, and a curable resin composition including the same. The polymer compound including the dye according to the present invention may exhibit characteristics such as excellent heat resistance, solubility, coating uniformity, chemical resistance and the like by introducing a single molecule type dye into a side chain of a polymer binder to be modified into a polymer form and applying the modified polymer to a curable composition.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device that includes a photoalignment film. The photoalignment film is formed from a liquid crystal alignment agent, and aligns liquid crystal molecules horizontally to the main face of the at least one of the substrates. The liquid crystal alignment agent contains a solvent and at least two kinds of polyamic acids or their derivatives obtained by reacting diamine and tetracarboxylic dianhydride. At least two of the diamines and at least one of the tetracarboxylic dianhydrides are compounds represented by predetermined formulas. The method includes the steps of: (1) forming the film of the liquid crystal alignment agent; (2) pre-baking the film; (3) irradiating the pre-baked film with light; and (4) post-baking the irradiated film, the step (4) including an operation of post-baking the film multiple times at temperatures ranging from low to high temperatures.

Abstract: Organometallic solutions have been found to provide high resolution radiation based patterning using thin coatings. The patterning can involve irradiation of the coated surface with a selected pattern and developing the pattern with a developing agent to form the developed image. The patternable coatings may be susceptible to positive-tone patterning or negative-tone patterning based on the use of an organic developing agent or an aqueous acid or base developing agent. The radiation sensitive coatings can comprise a metal oxo/hydroxo network with organic ligands. A precursor solution can comprise an organic liquid and metal polynuclear oxo-hydroxo cations with organic ligands having metal carbon bonds and/or metal carboxylate bonds.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a sublimation transfer dyeing method capable of highly efficient dyeing of a product to be dyed by an electrophotographic process using a toner, and a dyed product dyed highly efficiently by the dyeing method. [Solution] A sublimation transfer dyeing method attaches a toner to an intermediate recording medium using an electrophotographic process and sublimation-transfers to a dyed product a dye contained in the toner attached to the intermediate recording medium. A dyed product dyed with high efficiency could be provided by a sublimation transfer dyeing method in which the intermediate recording medium has a density of greater than 1.00 g/cm3.

Abstract: There is provided a pattern forming method comprising, in order: (i) a step of forming a film by using an extreme ultraviolet-sensitive resin composition containing (A) a resin having an acid-decomposable group; (ii) a step of exposing the film by using an extreme ultraviolet ray; (iii) a step of heating the film; and (iv) a step of developing the film to form a pattern, wherein in the step (ii), an optical image formed by exposure on the surface of the film is an optical image having a line part with a line width of 20 nm or less as an exposed area or an unexposed area, and, the heating temperature TPEB(° C.) in the step (iii) satisfies the specific formula.

Abstract: There is provided an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive composition containing (?) a compound represented by the formula (?I) capable of generating an acid having a size of 200 ?3 or more in volume and (?) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, and the formula (?I) is defined as herein, and a resist film formed using the actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive composition, a resist-coated mask blanks coated with the resist film, a resist pattern forming method comprising exposing the resist film and developing the exposed film, a photomask obtained by exposing and developing the resist-coated mask blanks, a method for manufacturing an electronic device, comprising the resist pattern forming method and an electronic device manufactured by the manufacturing method of an electronic device.

Abstract: A hardmask composition includes a monomer represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, a polymer including a moiety represented by the following Chemical Formula 2, a polymer including a moiety represented by the following Chemical Formula 3, or a combination thereof, and a solvent,

Abstract: Various laser marking compositions and related methods are described. The laser marking compositions include a molybdenum metal complex, a tungsten metal complex, or combinations thereof. Marks or other indicia formed on a substrate using the compositions and methods exhibit increased contrast and improved substrate bonding.

Abstract: There is provided an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, represented by the formula (Z1), and the formula (Z1) is defined as herein, and a resist film formed using the actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, a pattern forming method comprising a step of forming a film by using the actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, a step of exposing the film, and a step of developing the exposed film, a method for manufacturing an electronic device, comprising the pattern forming method, and an electronic device manufactured by the method for manufacturing an electronic device.

Abstract: A composition for a hardmask including copolymer including repeating units represented by Chemical Formulae 1 and 2 and a solvent, a method of forming a pattern using the same, and a semiconductor integrated circuit device including a pattern formed using the method are provided.

Abstract: A nanoporous film patterned by direct photolithography and a method for preparing the same are provided. Since a precursor of the material is the mixture of a nano template material and a photoresist and the mixture still has the basic physical properties of the photoresist, a film is formed on a substrate by a standard photolithography process and a micro-sized patterned structure is realized. The mixture with the patterned structure is chemically etched to remove the template material to form a porous polymer film, or the mixture with the patterned structure is carbonized at a high temperature and then the template material is removed to form a porous carbon film. The nanoporous film patterned by direct photolithography and the method for preparing the same have the advantages of simple operation, low cost and good integration with other micro electric mechanical systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a detachable information sheet includes an image forming device, an applying and curing unit, and a heating and pressing unit. The image forming device includes an image bearing body, an electrostatic latent image forming unit to form an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing body, a development unit to develop the latent image with a toner to form a visible toner image, a transfer unit to transfer the toner image from the image bearing body onto a recording medium, and a fixing unit to fix the toner image on the recording medium. The applying and curing unit applies an energy-ray curable composition precursor onto the recording medium having the toner image fixed thereon, and cures the precursor to form an energy-ray curable composition to coat the recording medium. The heating and pressing unit heats and presses the recording medium coated with the energy-ray curable composition.

Abstract: A producing method for a translucent electromagnetic shield film comprising exposing a photosensitive material having an emulsion layer containing a silver salt and a dye on a substrate, then executing a development process to form a metallic silver portion and a light transmitting portion respectively in an exposed area and an unexposed area, and applying a physical development and/or a plating process to the metallic silver portion thereby causing the metallic silver portion to carry a conductive metal. The producing method allows to inexpensively mass produce a translucent electromagnetic shield film without a moiré pattern, having a high EMI shield property and a high transparency at the same time.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an actinic ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing (A) a resin containing a repeating unit represented by general formula (1) below and a repeating unit that is decomposed by an action of an acid to generate an alkali-soluble group, and (B) a compound that generates the acid when exposed to actinic rays or radiation, where L represents a bivalent connecting group, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and Z represents a cyclic acid anhydride structure.

Abstract: Provided is an actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition including a resin (Aa) containing at least one repeating unit (Aa1) derived from monomers of general formula (aa1-1) below and at least one repeating unit (Aa2) derived from monomers of general formula (aa2-1) below and comprising a resin (Ab) that when acted on by an acid, changes its alkali solubility.

Abstract: There is provided a pattern forming method comprising (1) a step of forming a film by using an electron beam-sensitive or extreme ultraviolet-sensitive resin composition, (2) a step of exposing the film by using an electron beam or an extreme ultraviolet ray, and (3) a step of developing the exposed film by using an organic solvent-containing developer, wherein the electron beam-sensitive or extreme ultraviolet-sensitive resin composition contains (A) a resin containing (R) a repeating unit having a structural moiety capable of decomposing upon irradiation with an electron beam or an extreme ultraviolet ray to generate an acid, and (B) a solvent.

Abstract: An actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition includes: (P) a resin that contains (A) a repeating unit capable of decomposing upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation to generate an acid in a side chain of the resin (P) and (C) a repeating unit represented by the following formula (I) as defined in the specification, wherein a polydispersity of the resin (P) is 1.20 or less.

Abstract: A monomer has the Formula I: wherein R1, R2, and R3 are each independently a C1-30 monovalent organic group, and R1, R2, and R3 are each independently unsubstituted or include a halogen, nitrile, ether, ester, ketone, alcohol, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing functional groups; R4 includes H, F, C1-4 alkyl, or C1-4 fluoroalkyl; A is a single bond or a divalent linker group, wherein A is unsubstituted or substituted to include a halogen, nitrile, ether, ester, ketone, alcohol, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing functional groups; m and n are each independently an integer of 1 to 8; and x is 0 to 2n+2, and y is 0 to 2m+2.

Abstract: A chemical amplification resist composition contains: (A) a polymer compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group and a group formed by substituting a substituent for a hydrogen atom of a hydroxyl group in a phenolic hydroxyl group and satisfying the following (a) to (c) at the same time: (a) the polydispersity is 1.2 or less, (b) the weight average molecular weight is from 2,000 to 6,500, and (c) the glass transition temperature (Tg) is 140° C. or more.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a base generator which has sensitivity and is applicable to a wide range of applications, and a photosensitive resin composition which is applicable to a wide range of applications due to the structure of a polymer precursor in which reaction into a final product is promoted by a basic substance or by heating in the presence of a basic substance. The base generator generates a base by exposure to electromagnetic radiation and heating. The photosensitive resin composition comprises a polymer precursor in which reaction into a final product is promoted by the base generator and a basic substance or by heating in the presence of a basic substance.

Abstract: A method of pulsed laser intrinsic marking can provide a unique identifier to detect tampering or counterfeiting.

Abstract: A system and method for forming photoresists over semiconductor substrates is provided. An embodiment comprises a photoresist with a concentration gradient. The concentration gradient may be formed by using a series of dry film photoresists, wherein each separate dry film photoresist has a different concentration. The separate dry film photoresists may be formed separately and then placed onto the semiconductor substrate before being patterned. Once patterned, openings through the photoresist may have a tapered sidewall, allowing for a better coverage of the seed layer and a more uniform process to form conductive materials through the photoresist.

Abstract: A colored composition including at least one selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by the following formula (I) and a tautomer thereof. In formula (I), R2 to R5 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent, R7 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, or the like, Ma represents a metal or a metal compound, X3 and X4 each independently represent NR, a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a sulfur atom, R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or the like, Y1 and Y2 each independently represent NRc, a nitrogen atom, or a carbon atom, Rc represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or the like, and R8 and R9 each independently represent an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or the like. Z represents an atomic group that forms a nitrogen-containing ring having a specific structure.

Abstract: A stabilizing solution for treating photoresist patterns and methods of preventing profile abnormalities, toppling and resist footing are disclosed. The stabilizing solution comprises a non-volatile component, such as non-volatile particles or polymers, which is applied after the photoresist material has been developed. By treating the photoresist with the solution containing a non-volatile component after developing but before drying, the non-volatile component fills the space between adjacent resist patterns and remains on the substrate during drying. The non-volatile component provides structural and mechanical support for the resist to prevent deformation or collapse by liquid surface tension forces.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a sulfonium salt that has sufficient photosensitivity by active energy rays, such as visible light, ultraviolet rays, electron beams, and X-rays. The present invention is a sulfonium salt represented by formula (1). It is noted that R1 is a group represented by formula (2); R2 and R3 each represent an aryl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon group having 4 to 30 carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, or an alkynyl group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms; X? represents a monovalent polyatomic anion; R4 to R6 each represent an alkyl group, or the like; k represents an integer of 0 to 4; m represents an integer of 0 to 3; n represents an integer of 0 to 4; and A represents a group represented by —S—, —O—, —SO—, —SO2—, or —CO—.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermoplastic material comprising polymer and at least one polychromic substance, wherein the polychromic substance is a functionalised diacetylene having the formula which has the general structure: X—C?C—C?C—Y—(CO)n-QZ wherein X is H or alkyl, Y is a divalent alkylene group, Q is O, S or NR, R is H or alkyl, and Z is alkyl, and n is 0 or 1. The present invention further relates to a method of processing thermoplastic material to form a plastic article, wherein the method comprises the step of processing the thermoplastic material at a temperature greater than the melt temperature of the thermoplastic, wherein the thermoplastic material comprises polymer and at least one polychromic substance as defined above; and further comprising the step of irradiating the plastic article to color at least a region of the plastic article.

Abstract: A method of producing an image in the crystalline colloidal array is disclosed. The method includes providing an ordered array of particles received within a curable matrix composition; curing a first portion of the matrix composition, wherein the first cured portion diffracts radiation at a first wavelength; curing another portion of the matrix composition, wherein the other cured portion diffracts radiation at another wavelength; and exposing the array to radiation to exhibit an image.

Abstract: Novel, developer-soluble, hard mask compositions and methods of using those compositions to form microelectronic structures are provided. The composition comprises the compound a compound for controlling development rate, and a crosslinking agent in a solvent system. The methods involve applying the composition to a substrate and curing the composition. An imaging layer is applied to the composition, followed by light exposure and developing, during which the light-exposed portions of the imaging layer are removed, along with portions of the hard mask composition adjacent said light-exposed portions. The size of the hard mask composition structures are controlled by the development rate, and they yield feature sizes that are a fraction of the imaging layer feature sizes, to give a pattern that can ultimately be transferred to the substrate.

Abstract: A photoresist composition including an oxetane-containing compound represented by Formula 1 or 2, an oxirane-containing compound represented by Formula 3 or 4, a photoinitiator, and a solvent, a method of forming a pattern using the photoresist composition, and an inkjet print head including a polymerization product of the photoresist composition. The photoresist composition provides a polymerization product which resists formation of cracks due to an inner stress, and has excellent heat tolerance, excellent chemical resistance, excellent adhesiveness, and excellent durability.

Abstract: A liquid film applicator means can apply a photosensitive lyophobic film 18 to a substrate 16. An exposure unit 10 is placed on the back side of the substrate and forms the lyophobic film applied on the substrate into a pattern in alignment with gate electrodes 13. A dropping unit 55 drops a test liquid to a surface of the substrate having a pattern of the lyophobic film formed by the exposure means. A measuring means 58 detects the droplet dropped by the dropping unit. A determining means determines whether the pattern of the lyophobic film formed by the exposure means is proper or not based on the droplet detected by the detecting means.

Abstract: A reusable image forming medium, including a substrate; an imaging layer coated on or impregnated into the substrate, wherein an irradiation of the imaging layer produces an image; and a signature material coated on or impregnated into the substrate or the imaging layer, the signature material being detectable by a sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermoplastic material comprising polymer and at least one polychromic substance, wherein the polychromic substance is a functionalised diacetylene having the formula which has the general structure: X—C?C—C?C—Y—(CO)n-QZ wherein X is H or alkyl, Y is a divalent alkylene group, Q is O, S or NR, R is H or alkyl, and Z is alkyl, and n is 0 or 1. The present invention further relates to a method of processing thermoplastic material to form a plastic article, wherein the method comprises the step of processing the thermoplastic material at a temperature greater than the melt temperature of the thermoplastic, wherein the thermoplastic material comprises polymer and at least one polychromic substance as defined above; and further comprising the step of irradiating the plastic article to colour at least a region of the plastic article.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture for three-dimensional structures having micron dimensions includes coating a substrate with layers of photo resist. Each layer of photo resist is exposed with its own two-dimensional mask defining one slice of an object. Subsequent layers of photo resist are exposed with different patterns. Once all layers have been fabricated and exposed to identify two-dimensional features for the layer, the multiple layers are developed to removed photo resist which has not been exposed. The layered structure represents a three-dimensional object where the depth dimension is defined by the photo resist layer thickness. By decreasing the wavelength of the light exposure, it is possible to confine exposure to a single layer of photo resist.

Abstract: To provide a negative photosensitive fluorinated aromatic resin composition having a low relative permittivity, low water absorptivity, high heat resistance and high productivity. A negative photosensitive fluorinated aromatic resin composition comprising the following fluorinated aromatic prepolymer, a photosensitizer and a solvent.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a non-chemically amplified photoresist, which results in reduced line wide roughness (LWR). In accordance with one embodiment the photoresist includes a developer-soluble resin (DSR) and a photoactive compound (PAC). For one embodiment of the invention, the even distribution of the PAC within the DSR results in reduced acid diffusion thus reducing LWR. Prior to exposure to the light source, the PAC inhibits solubility of the DSR in the developer. Upon exposure the PAC converts to acid to promote solubility of the DSR. The even distribution of the PAC within the photoresist results in reduced LWR and a reduction in defects. For one embodiment the photoresist is applied in the EUV technology (e.g., wavelength is 13.4 nm). For such an embodiment the LWR may be reduced to less than 1.5 nm allowing for effective fabrication of devices having feature sizes of approximately 15 nm.

Abstract: Provided are a mask pattern including a silicon-containing self-assembled molecular layer, a method of forming the same, and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The mask pattern includes a resist pattern formed on a semiconductor substrate and the self-assembled molecular layer formed on the resist pattern. The self-assembled molecular layer has a silica network formed by a sol-gel reaction. To form the mask pattern, first, the resist pattern is formed with openings on an underlayer covering the substrate to expose the underlayer to a first width. Then, the self-assembled molecular layer is selectively formed only on a surface of the resist pattern to expose the underlayer to a second width smaller than the first width. The underlayer is etched by using the resist pattern and the self-assembled molecular layer as an etching mask to obtain a fine pattern.

Abstract: A reflow stabilizing solution for treating photoresist patterns and a reflow technology are disclosed. The reflow stabilizing solution comprises a polymer and is applied after the photoresist material has been developed and patterned. By treating the photoresist with the reflow stabilizing solution after resist patterning and further subjecting the reflow stabilizing solution to a heat treatment, the non-volatile polymer remains in between adjacent resist patterns and acts as a stopper to the reflowed photoresist. In this manner, the non-volatile polymer provides structural and mechanical support for the reflowed resist, preventing resist collapse at high temperatures and allowing the formation of reflowed resist structures having line width dimensions in the submicron range.

Abstract: A pattern generator may include an electromagnetic radiation source and an optical system. The electromagnetic radiation source may emit electromagnetic radiation to create a pattern on a workpiece. The optical system may include an optical path for the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the electromagnetic radiation source and may be configured such that an apodization of the electromagnetic radiation is sufficient to optimize a critical dimension linearity for the created pattern.

Abstract: A method of producing a pattern-forming body with high accuracy with no need for a post-exposure treatment and without allowing any photocatalyst to remain in the resultant pattern-forming body and whereby any problematic effect of the photocatalyst in the pattern-forming body is eliminated. The method includes providing a photocatalyst-containing layer-sided substrate and a pattern-forming body substrate having a characteristic-changeable layer, which is changed by the effect of the photocatalyst in the photocatalyst-containing layer, and a light-shading part formed as a pattern in such a manner that the photocatalyst-containing layer and the characteristic-changeable layer are brought into contact with each other, followed by exposure on the side of the pattern-forming body substrate to change the characteristics of the characteristic-changeable layer of the exposed part, followed by removing the photocatalyst-containing layer-sided substrate.

Abstract: This invention is directed to black conductive compositions, black electrodes made from such compositions and methods of forming such electrodes. In particular, the invention is directed to a single layer bus electrode.

Abstract: It is a main object of the present invention to provide a wettability variable substrate provided with a wettability variable layer which is free from any cloud and is superior in adhesion to a substrate, transparency and liquid repellency.

Abstract: A value or security document (2) contains a security feature (4) in the form of a film laser with an emitter layer (12) and preferably a protective layer (14). A spatial, periodic modulation (8), preferably of the surface of a substrate, permits fine adjustment of a laser wavelength within a range of possible wavelengths. This permits a coding of the security feature by different portions of different wavelengths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a unique dual color security paper authentication system. The authenticating system comprises the combination of a security paper together with a coordinated applicator. The paper contains a starch, an iodide salt and an acidic developer resin. The applicator of the system comprises two authenticating solutions. The first authenticating solution comprises one or more of a sulfonamide and a copper salt dispersed in a solvent. The second authenticating solution comprises one or more of a leuco and fluoran dye precursor dispersed in a solvent. On applying the authenticating solutions to authentic security paper, a first color of a starch iodine is expressed and a second color of a leuco or fluoran dye is expressed.