Patent ID: 6607870
Filing Date: 2003-08-19
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
A method for forming a photoresist image on a silicon or silicon dioxide wafer substrate for the production of a microprocessor, comprising:(a) providing a chemically-amplified positive tone photoresist, the photoresist comprising a resin binder, a photoacid-generating compound and a sufficient amount of an aliphatic amine other than a trialkyl amine and of sufficient basicity to complex with acid generated by exposure of the photoresist to activating radiation; (b) forming a layer of the photoresist on the silicon or silicon dioxide wafer substrate, exposing the photoresist layer to an image pattern of activating radiation to liberate acid in the exposed areas of said photoresist layer and complex the same with the aliphatic amine; (c) heating the exposed photoresist layer to a temperature sufficient to liberate a catalyzing amount of acid from the complex of the acid and the aliphatic amine to create areas of differential solubility within the photoresist layer and developing the heated exposed layer with a developer for the photoresist layer to form a photoresist relief image.