A method and system for patterning a substrate using a radiation-sensitive material is described. The method and system include forming a layer of radiation-sensitive material on a substrate, exposing the layer of radiation-sensitive material to a pattern of radiation, and then performing a post-exposure bake following the exposing. The imaged layer of radiation-sensitive material is then positive-tone developed to remove a region having high radiation exposure to form radiation-sensitive material lines. An exposure gradient within the radiation-sensitive material lines is then removed, followed by slimming the radiation-sensitive material lines.