Inpria Corporation

Imec Vzw

Tokyo Electron Limited

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Ku Leuven R&d

Peter De Schepper

Michael K Kocsis

Jason K Stowers

Michael Greer

Shu-Hao L Chang

Alan J Telecky

Douglas A Keszler

Stephen T Meyers

Kirsten Louthan

Boon Teik Chan

Brian J Cardineau

Benjamin L Clark

Efrain Altamirano Sanchez

Jean-Francois De Marneffe

Craig M Gates

Dominick Smiddy

Jan Doise

Mark Geniza

Sangyoon Woo

Ming Mao

Sonia Castellanos Ortega

Gaetano Giordano

The processing of radiation patternable organometallic coatings is shown to be improved through the appropriate selection of post processing conditions between coating and development of the pattern. In particular, a coated wafer can be subjected to process delays to allow aging of the coating at various process points, in particular following irradiation. Process delays can be combined and interspersed with heating steps. The atmosphere above the coated wafer at various process steps can be adjusted to obtain desired improvements in the development of the pattern. Reactive gases can be beneficial with respect to improvement of coating properties.

Process environment for inorganic resist patterning

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.

Patterned organometallic photoresists and methods of patterning

A method is described for stabilizing organometallic coating interfaces through the use of multilayer structures that incorporate an underlayer coating. The underlayer is composed of an organic polymer that has crosslinking and adhesion-promoting functional groups. The underlayer composition may include photoacid generators. Multilayer structures for patterning are described based on organometallic radiation sensitive patterning compositions, such as alkyl tin oxo hydroxo compositions, which are placed over a polymer underlayer.

Stabilized interfaces of inorganic radiation patterning compositions on substrates

In the context of forming radiation patternable structures especially for EUV patterning, wafer structures are described comprising a substrate having a smooth top surface and a radiation sensitive organometallic coating having an average thickness of no more than 100 nm and no more than about 1 defect per square centimeter with a defect size of greater than 48 nm, evaluated with a 3 mm edge exclusion. Corresponding methods for forming a low defect coating comprise spin coating a purified radiation sensitive organometallic resist solution onto a wafer using a spin coater system comprising a delivery line and a delivery nozzle connected to the delivery line to form a coated wafer, and drying the coated wafer to form a radiation sensitive organometallic coating having no more than about 1 defect per square centimeter with a defect size of greater than 48 nm, evaluated with a 3 mm edge exclusion. Methods are provided for improved filtering for particle removal from radiation patternable organometallic resist compositions.

Organometallic radiation patternable coatings with low defectivity and corresponding methods

Multiple patterning approaches using radiation sensitive organometallic materials is described. In particular, multiple patterning approaches can be used to provide distinct multiple patterns of organometallic material on a hardmask or other substrate through a sequential approach that leads to a final pattern. The multiple patterning approach may proceed via sequential lithography steps with multiple organometallic layers and may involve a hardbake freezing after development of each pattern. Use of an organometallic resist with dual tone properties to perform pattern cutting and multiple patterning of a single organometallic layer are described. Corresponding structures are also described.

Multiple patterning with organometallic photopatternable layers with intermediate freeze steps

An example embodiment may include a method for blocking one or more portions of one or more trenches during manufacture of a semiconductor structure. The method may include (i) providing a substrate comprising one or more trenches, and a dielectric material under the one or more trenches, (ii) providing a first overlayer on the substrate, thereby filling the one or more trenches, the first overlayer having a planar top surface, a top portion of the first overlayer, comprising the top surface, being etchable selectively with respect to a condensed photo-condensable metal oxide, (iii) covering a first area of the top surface, situated directly above the one or more portions and corresponding thereto, with a block pattern of the condensed photo-condensable metal oxide, thereby leaving a second area of the top surface, having at least another portion of at least one of the trenches thereunder, uncovered.

Method for blocking a trench portion

The present disclosure is related to a method for treating a photoresist structure on a substrate, the method comprising producing one or more resist structures on a substrate, introducing the substrate in a plasma reactor, and subjecting the substrate to a plasma treatment at a temperature lower than zero degrees Celsius, such as between zero and &#x2212;110&#xb0; C. The plasma treatment may be a Hplasma treatment performed in an inductively coupled plasma reactor. The treatment time may be at least 30s.

Plasma method for reducing post-lithography line width roughness

Growing community of inventors

Antwerp, Belgium

Peter De Schepper