Abstract:
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a first photoresist layer over a substrate, over which a protective layer material is deposited to form a protective layer. A second photoresist layer is formed over the protective layer. A first lithography exposure process is performed, through a first mask, to expose the first and second photoresist layers, and to form a bottom latent pattern. A second lithography exposure process is performed, through a second mask, to expose the first and second photoresist layers, and to form a top latent pattern, where the top latent pattern at least partially overlaps the bottom latent pattern. The first and second photoresist layers and the protective layer are developed to form a first main feature and a second main feature from the bottom and top latent patterns respectively, and an opening in the protective layer vertically aligned with the second main feature.
Abstract:
A system and method for anti-reflective layers is provided. In an embodiment the anti-reflective layer comprises a floating additive in order to form a floating additive region along a top surface of the anti-reflective layer after the anti-reflective layer has dispersed. The floating additive may comprise an additive group which will decompose along with a fluorine unit bonded to the additive group which will decompose. Additionally, adhesion between the middle layer and the photoresist may be increased by applying an adhesion promotion layer using either a deposition process or phase separation, or a cross-linking may be performed between the middle layer and the photoresist.
Abstract:
Provided in one embodiment is a method that includes selecting a photoresist that is one of a positive-tone photoresist and a negative-tone photoresist. A first additive or a second additive is selected based on the photoresist. The first additive has a fluorine component and a base component attached to a polymer and is selected if the a positive-tone resist is provided. The second additive has the fluorine component and an acid component attached to the polymer and is selected with a negative-tone resist is provided. The selected photoresist and the selected additive material are applied to a target substrate.
Abstract:
A system and method for middle layers is provided. In an embodiment the middle layer comprises a floating component in order to form a floating region along a top surface of the middle layer after the middle layer has dispersed. The floating component may be a polymer with a floating group incorporated into the polymer. The floating group may comprise a fluorine atom.
Abstract:
A material layer is formed over a substrate. A negative tone photoresist layer is formed over the material layer. An exposure process is performed to the negative tone photoresist layer. A post-exposure bake (PEB) process is performed to the negative tone photoresist layer. After the exposure process and the PEB process, the negative tone photoresist layer is treated with a solvent. The solvent contains a chemical having a greater dipole moment than n-butyl acetate (n-BA).
Abstract:
A system for forming a coating comprises applying a first coating to a substrate having a plurality of topographical features, planarizing a top surface of the first coating, and drying the first coating after planarizing the top surface. The first coating may be applied over the plurality of topographical features, and may be substantially liquid during application. The first coating may optionally be a conformal coating over topographical features of the substrate. The conformal coating may be dried prior to planarizing the top surface of the first coating. A solvent may be applied to the conformal coating, with the top surface of the conformal coating being substantially planar after application of the solvent. The first coating may have a planar surface prior to drying the first coating, and the first coating may be dried without substantial spin-drying by modifying an environment of the first coating.
Abstract:
A lithography method includes forming a photosensitive layer on a substrate, exposing the photosensitive layer, baking the photosensitive layer, and developing the exposed photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer includes a polymer that turns soluble to a base solution in response to reaction with acid, a plurality of photo—acid generators (PAGs) that decompose to form acid in response to radiation energy, and a plurality of quenchers having boiling points distributed between about 200 C and about 350 C. The quenchers also have molecular weights distributed between 300 Dalton and about 20000 Dalton, and are vertically distributed in the photosensitive layer such that a first concentration C1 at a top portion of the photosensitive layer is greater than a second concentration C2 at a bottom portion of the photosensitive layer.
Abstract:
A method for lithography patterning includes providing a substrate; forming a material layer over the substrate; exposing the material layer to a radiation, resulting in an exposed material layer; and removing a portion of the exposed material layer in a developer, resulting in a patterned material layer. The developer is an alkaline aqueous solution having an organic base that is a quaternary ammonium hydroxide. In an embodiment, the organic base has a bulky group in its side chain, reducing its etching distance. In another embodiment, the organic base includes electron withdrawing groups, reducing its basicity. In yet another embodiment, the developer has a loading of the quaternary ammine ranging from about 0.01% to about 2.37%. The developer results in reduced line edge roughness and reduced line width roughness in the patterned material layer.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a mask for use in a lithography system having a defined resolution. The mask comprises first and second patterns that are greater than the defined resolution and a sub-resolution feature that is less than the defined resolution. Portions of the first and second patterns are positioned close to each other and separated by the sub-resolution feature in an intersection area. The size and shape of the sub-resolution feature are such that when the mask is used in the lithography system, a resulting pattern includes the first and second patterns interconnected with each other through the interconnection area.
Abstract:
A system and method for anti-reflective layers is provided. In an embodiment the anti-reflective layer comprises a floating component in order to form a floating region along a top surface of the anti-reflective layer after the anti-reflective layer has dispersed. The floating component may be a floating cross-linking agent, a floating polymer resin, or a floating catalyst. The floating cross-linking agent, the floating polymer resin, or the floating catalyst may comprise a fluorine atom. The anti-reflective layers are removed using a fluid.