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Understanding ultra-thin film resist and underlayer performance through physical characterization

  • Craig Higgins
  • , Seth Kruger
  • , Vimal Kamineni
  • , Richard Matyi
  • , Jacque Georger
  • , Robert Brainard
  • SUNY Albany
  • SEMATECH

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

The physical characterization of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) ultra-thin underlayers (ULs) and their effects on photoresist EUV lithographic performance was investigated. UL polymer compositions were modeled to identify polymer compositions that would encompass a range of glass transition temperatures (Tg) and surface polarities. Eight UL polymers compositions were synthesized and characterized, demonstrating that polymer composition can dictate the surface polarity and Tg properties of cross-linked UL films. The Tg of UL films drops significantly for film thicknesses below ~30 nm. EUV imaging of open source and commercial resists on the eight UL films was evaluated. Resist adhesion improved when the surface polarity of the underlayers decreased. It was discovered that the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) plays an important role in determining the adhesion of resist to underlayers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)699-707
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Photopolymer Science and Technology
Volume23
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010

Keywords

  • ARC
  • Euvl
  • Resist adhesion
  • Underlayer properties

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