Patent ID: 11940731
Assignee: ROHM AND HAAS ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LLC
Field: Optics (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G  C | IPC C  G

Claim 8:
9. A method of processing a photoresist composition, comprising:
(a) applying a photoresist composition over a substrate to form a photoresist layer;
(b) applying over the photoresist layer a photoresist topcoat composition to form a topcoat layer, wherein the photoresist topcoat composition, comprises:
a matrix polymer;
a surface active polymer, wherein the surface active polymer comprises:
polymerized units of the following general formula (I):, wherein: R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl group, or a C1-C4 haloalkyl group; R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, wherein at least one R2 is not a hydrogen atom, wherein the R2 groups taken together optionally form a cyclic structure, and wherein the total number of carbon atoms for the R2 groups taken together is from 2 to 20; R3 represents an optionally substituted C1-C4 alkylene group, and an R2 group optionally forms a cyclic structure with R3; and R4 independently represents C1-C4 fluoroalkyl groups;
wherein the total polymerized units of general formula (I) are present in the surface active polymer in an amount of 95 wt % or more based on total polymerized units of the surface active polymer; and wherein the surface active polymer is present in the composition in an amount of from 0.1 to 30 wt % based on total solids of the composition; and

an organic-based solvent system comprising a plurality of organic solvents;

(c) exposing the topcoat layer and the photoresist layer to activating radiation; and
(d) contacting the exposed topcoat layer and photoresist layer with an aqueous base developer to form a resist pattern.