Patent ID: 9548208
Date: 2017-01-17
CPC Classifications: H01L

Claim:
1. A method for patterning an underlying layer, the method comprising providing a guiding layer on the underlying layer, the guiding layer being substantially planar and comprising guiding structures; providing a block-copolymer layer on the guiding layer; inducing phase separation of the block-copolymer layer in a regular pattern of structures of a first polymer component and a second polymer component, whereby one of the polymer components aligns to the guiding structures, by chemo-epitaxy; thereafter, removing the first polymer component completely, thereby leaving a regular pattern of structures of the second polymer component; providing a planarizing layer over the regular pattern of structures of the second polymer component and the guiding layer; removing a portion of the planarizing layer, thereby leaving a regular pattern of structures of the planarizing layer at positions in between the structures of the second polymer component, and exposing the structures of the second polymer component; removing the structures of the second polymer component selectively with respect to the structures of the planarizing layer; and patterning the underlying layer, wherein patterning the underlying layer uses the structures of the planarizing layer as a mask.