Currently, there are many developments in the field of EUV lithography that are helping to move it towards increased high volume manufacturing (HVM) feasibility. Targeted improvements in hardware design for advanced lithography are of key interest to our group, specifically metrics such as line width roughness (LWR) smoothing, dose reduction processes, and defect mitigation. In this study, we investigate how novel hardware solutions currently available on our SCREEN DT-3000 coat-develop track system, can be used as complementary non-patterning approaches to boost resist scaling even further. The utility of SCREEN non-standard hardware features to enhance overall lithography performance of a main chain scission EUV resist was deeply explored, and new process approaches were successfully identified. We hereby present our work utilizing the SCREEN DT- 3000 coat-develop track system with an ASML NXE:3400 to improve sensitivity, CD uniformity, line width roughness, and defectivity levels of aggressive dense L/S patterns.
Zirconium- and hafnium-based nanoparticles demonstrated good patterning behavior in deep-ultra-violet (DUV), electron-beam (E-beam) and extreme ultra-violet (EUV) lithography. Among these Zr- and Hf-based hybrid nanoparticles, the methacrylic acid (MAA) modified zirconium oxide nanoparticles1 (ZrO2-MAA-NP) give out the best over-all-performance: 26 nm lines are obtained at 4.2 mJ/cm2. However, both Zr and Hf are relatively low EUV absorbing metals2, and integration of high EUV absorption elements, such as Zn, is considered to be a more promising route to further improve lithographic performance under EUV radiation. Zinc-based nanoparticle photoresists, possessing ultra-small size, have exhibited promising sensitivities and better resolution. Here, we combined methacrylate ligand and high EUV absorption element Zn, to demonstrate a novel zinc oxide-based nanoparticle photoresist using a photo-radical generator (PRG). Compared with conventional photo-acid initiated nanoparticle-based photoresists, a better resolution and sensitivity has been found with the addition of photo-radical generator (PRG). This unique behavior is promising to provide new possibilities for rapid three-dimensional (3D) -printing.
With the rapid development of semiconductors, today’s optical lithography is approaching its physical limits, and thus alternative patterning technology is urgently needed. Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, using a wavelength of 13.5 nm, is considered one of the most prominent candidates for next-generation lithography. The main challenge for EUV resists is to simultaneously satisfy resolution, line-width roughness, and sensitivity requirements following the ITRS roadmap. Though polymer-based chemically amplified resist is the current standard photoresist, entirely new resist platforms are required due to the performance targets of future process nodes. Our recent progress in metal oxide nanoparticle photoresist research will be discussed with a focus on zirconium and hafnium oxides. A brief discussion of a number of important structural and material properties pertaining to key characteristics affecting resist performance is also included.
With the rapid development of semiconductors, today's optical lithography is approaching its physical limits, and thus alternative patterning technology is urgently desired. Extreme ultra-violet (EUV) lithography, using a wavelength of 13.5 nm, is considered one of the most prominent candidates for next generation lithography. The main challenge for EUV resists is to simultaneously satisfy resolution, LWR (line-width roughness) and sensitivity requirements following the ITRS roadmap. Though polymer-based CAR (chemically amplified resist) is the current standard photoresist, entirely new resist platforms are required due to the performance targets of smaller process nodes. In this paper, our recent progress in metal oxide nanoparticle photoresist research will be discussed. Brief discussion of a number of important structure and property issues pertaining to key characteristics affecting resist performance is also included.
EUV lithography is nowadays considered as one of the most feasible choices for high volume manufacturing. In this work, we wish to report a series of studies aiming at shedding more light on the development mechanism of metal based EUV hybrid photoresists. We have studied zirconium (Zr) and hafnium (Hf) based hybrid resists which have shown high sensitivity, they suffer though from scumming issues. On the other hand, our clusters based on zinc (Zn) which absorbs strongly in EUV seem to be free of scumming but still Zr and Hf outperform in terms of sensitivity. In an effort to understand better what controls sensitivity and scumming phenomena we have employed a combination of analytical techniques (Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry ESI-MS, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy XPS, and Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy FT-IR) to study the patterning mechanism in detail, in order to be able to optimize the development process and develop systems with optimal features.
Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, using 13.5 nm radiation, is considered one of the most prominent candidates for next generation lithography. The main challenge for EUV resists is to simultaneously satisfy resolution, LWR (line-width roughness) and sensitivity requirements according to the ITRS roadmap1. Over the past few years, our main effort has been to focus on ZrO2 and HfO2 nanoparticle-based photoresists. However, both Zr and Hf are relatively low EUV absorbing metals2, and integration of high EUV absorption elements is considered to be a more promising route to further improve lithographic performance under EUV radiation. Here, we demonstrate novel zinc oxide-based nanoparticle photoresists, possessing small particle size, good solubility in spin-coating solvents, good film-forming abilitie and patterning by incorporating a photo-acid generator or photo-radical generator.
We report a series of studies aimed at shedding more light on the development mechanism of zirconium (Zr)-based extreme-UV hybrid photoresists. In earlier works, our group demonstrated that Zr-based hybrid resists are capable of resolving 30-nm half-pitch features with a very high sensitivity in the range of 1 to 20 mJ/cm2, which renders these materials potential candidates in the area of nonchemically amplified inorganic resists. While attractive because of its high sensitivity, Zr-methacrylic acid suffers from scumming problems. In an effort to better understand what controls sensitivity and scumming phenomena, we employed a combination of analytical techniques (electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) to study the patterning mechanism in detail, to be able to optimize the development process and develop systems with optimal features.
EUV (extreme ultraviolet) lithography is one of the most promising candidates for next generation lithography. The main challenge for EUV resists is to simultaneously satisfy resolution, LWR (line-width roughness) and sensitivity requirements according to the ITRS roadmap. Though polymer type CAR (chemically amplified resist) is the currently standard photoresist, entirely new resist platforms are required due to the performance targets of smaller process nodes. In this paper, recent progress in nanoparticle photoresists which Cornell University has intensely studied is discussed. Lithography performance, especially scum elimination, improvement studies with the dissolution rate acceleration concept and new metal core applications are described.
Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is a promising candidate for next generation lithography. For high volume manufacturing of semiconductor devices, significant improvement of resolution and sensitivity is required for successful implementation of EUV resists. Performance requirements for such resists demand the development of entirely new resist platforms. Cornell University has intensely studied metal oxide nanoparticle photoresists with high sensitivity for EUV lithography applications. Zirconium oxide nanoparticles with PAG enabling sub 30nm line negative tone patterns at an EUV dose below 5 mJ/cm2 show one of the best EUV sensitivity results ever reported. In this paper, recent progress in metal oxide nanoparticle photoresist research will be discussed. Several studies regarding composition investigation and new metal element study are reported.
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