Patent ID: 6180319
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
A process for the continuous development of photoresist compositions, comprising the steps:(a) applying an aqueous-developable photoresist to a surface of a first substrate, said photoresist comprising a photoinitiator;(b) imagewise exposing to actinic radiation to produce exposed and non-exposed areas in the photoresist;(c) treating the imagewise exposed photoresist with a sample of aqueous alkaline solution, said solution containing less than 5% by weight organic content, resulting in removal of either the exposed or the non-exposed areas of the photoresist; and(d) repeating steps (a) to (c) at least 5 times, wherein each repetition uses a new sample of photoresist and a new substrate and essentially the same sample of aqueous alkaline solution;wherein the photoinitiator comprises at least one hexaarylbiimidazole compound having at least one hydrophilic group, and wherein treatment of 3 grams of unexposed photoresist with 100 grams of the aqueous alkaline solution produces less than 0.05 grams sludge.