Patent ID: 6258514
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
A method of top surface imaging for manufacturing a device comprising the steps of:depositing an underlayer on a substrate surface comprising a first resist material being substantially free of photoacid generators and including acid labile polymer groups;depositing a topcoat layer on the deposited underlayer comprising a second resist material including a photoacid generator;forming a lithographic pattern on a top surface of said underlayer by exposing a portion of the topcoat layer to radiation to form an exposed region and an unexposed region, said exposed region causing photoacid generation at an interface between the underlayer and the topcoat layer such that the generated photoacid at the exposed region deprotects the acid labile polymer groups at the underlayer top surface to form a deprotected region, which is substantially confined to the underlayer top surface, and a protected region which cooperate to define an image of the lithographic pattern in the underlayer top surface; andmasking the underlayer top surface.