Patent ID: 9613821
Date: 2017-04-04
CPC Classifications: H01L

Claim:
1. A method of forming patterns, the method comprising: forming a photoresist pattern on a target layer, the photoresist pattern including a first opening exposing a first region of the target layer; forming a capping layer at sidewalls of the photoresist pattern defining the first opening, wherein the capping layer includes an acid source; forming an insoluble region around the first opening in the photoresist pattern by diffusing acid obtained from the acid source from the capping layer to the inside of the photoresist pattern; forming a second opening exposing a second region spaced apart from the first region in the target layer by removing a soluble region spaced apart from the first opening, with the insoluble region being interposed therebetween, in the photoresist pattern; and etching the target layer by using the insoluble region as an etch mask, wherein the capping layer includes a thermoacid generator (TAG) as the acid source, and wherein the forming of the insoluble region comprises: performing a thermal treatment on the capping layer to generate acid from the TAG included in the capping layer; and diffusing acid generated from the TAG from the capping layer to the inside of the photoresist pattern.