Patent ID: 7632631
Filing Date: 2009-12-15
Classification: G03F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a stable thin film on a substrate, comprising: depositing a liquid co-polymer composition onto a substrate to form a stable thin film having a first thickness, said thin film being one of a photoresist, an antireflective coating (ARC) or a bottom antireflective coating (BARC), said liquid co-polymer composition including a first component including a polymer chain being a co-polymer, a second component including a leaving group connected to said polymer chain, the leaving group including a heavily fluorinated compound, and a solvent, said first component having first dielectric properties not enabling said first component by itself to produce said stable thin film having said first thickness, said leaving group of said second component having second dielectric properties imparting stability to said thin film at said first thickness; first thermal processing said thin film to cause said solvent but not said leaving group to be removed from said thin film, wherein said thin film remains stable during said first thermal processing; and thereafter, second thermal processing said thin film to at least substantially remove said leaving group from said thin film, such that said thin film is reduced to a second thickness smaller than said first thickness, said thin film remaining stable during said second thermal processing, wherein said thin film remains substantially free of dewetting defects during said first and said second thermal processing.