Photoactive polymer brush materials and euv patterning using the same

Abstract

Photoactive polymer brush materials and methods for EUV photoresist patterning using the photoactive polymer brush materials are described. The photoactive polymer brush material incorporates a grafting moiety that can be immobilized at the substrate surface, a dry developable or ashable moiety, and a photoacid generator moiety, which are bound to a polymeric backbone. The photoacid generator moiety generates an acid upon exposure to EUV radiation acid at the interface, which overcomes the acid depletion problem to reduce photoresist scumming. The photoacid generator moiety can also facilitate cleavage of the photoactive polymer brush material from the substrate via an optional acid cleavable grafting functionality for the grafting moiety. The dry developable or ashable moiety facilitates complete removal of the photoactive brush material from the substrate in the event there is residue present subsequent to development of the chemically amplified EUV photoresist.