Abstract:
Novel, wet developable anti-reflective coating compositions and methods of using those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer and/or oligomer having acid functional groups and dissolved in a solvent system along with a crosslinker and a photoacid generator. The preferred acid functional group is a carboxylic acid, while the preferred crosslinker is a vinyl ether crosslinker. In use, the compositions are applied to a substrate and thermally crosslinked. Upon exposure to light, the cured compositions will decrosslink, rendering them soluble in typical photoresist developing solutions (e.g., alkaline developers).
Abstract:
Anti-reflective compositions and methods of using these compositions to form circuits are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. Preferred polymers include polycarbonates, polysulfonyl esters, polycarbonate sulfones, and mixtures thereof. The compositions can be applied to a silicon wafer or other substrate to form a cured or hardened layer which is initially insoluble in typical photoresist developing solutions. Upon exposure to light, the cured or hardened layers become soluble in photoresist developing solutions so that the layer can be selectively removed along with the developed photoresist layer, thus eliminating the need for a separate removal step.
Abstract:
Anti-reflective compositions and methods of using these compositions to form circuits are provided. The compositions comprise a polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. Preferred polymers include polycarbonates, polysulfonyl esters, polycarbonate sulfones, and mixtures thereof. The compositions can be applied to a silicon wafer or other substrate to form a cured or hardened layer which is initially insoluble in typical photoresist developing solutions. Upon exposure to light, the cured or hardened layers become soluble in photoresist developing solutions so that the layer can be selectively removed along with the developed photoresist layer, thus eliminating the need for a separate removal step.
Abstract:
Compositions for directed self-assembly patterning techniques are provided which avoid the need for separate anti-reflective coatings and brush neutral layers in the process. Methods for directed self-assembly are also provided in which a self-assembling material, such as a directed self-assembly block copolymer, can be applied directly to the silicon hardmask neutral layer and then self-assembled to form the desired pattern. Directed self-assembly patterned structures are also disclosed herein.
Abstract:
An improved method for applying polymeric antireflective coatings to substrate surfaces and the resulting precursor structures are provided. Broadly, the methods comprise plasma enhanced chemical vapor depositing (PECVD) a polymer on the substrate surfaces. The most preferred starting monomers are 4-fluorostyrene,2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorostyrene, and allylpentafluorobenzene. The PECVD processes comprise subjecting the monomers to sufficient electric current and pressure so as to cause the monomers to sublime to form a vapor which is then changed to the plasma state by application of an electric current. The vaporized monomers are subsequently polymerized onto a substrate surface in a deposition chamber. The inventive methods are useful for providing highly conformal antireflective coatings on large surface substrates having super submicron (0.25 mu m or smaller) features. The process provides a much faster deposition rate than conventional chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods, is environmentally friendly, and is economical.
Abstract:
Novel double- and triple-patterning methods are provided. The methods involve applying a shrinkable composition to a patterned template structure (e.g., a structure having lines) and heating the composition. The shrinkable composition is selected to possess properties that will cause it to shrink during heating, thus forming a conformal layer over the patterned template structure. The layer is then etched to leave behind pre-spacer structures, which comprise the features from the pattern with remnants of the shrinkable composition adjacent the feature sidewalls. The features are removed, leaving behind a doubled pattern. In an alternative embodiment, an extra etch step can be carried out prior to formation of the features on the template structure, thus allowing the pattern to be tripled rather than doubled.