Patent ID: 6780461
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
A method for improving image resolution capability of a photoresist, comprising:forming a layer of unexposed photoresist on a surface of a wafer in a processing chamber; locating the wafer in a first fluid environment, wherein the wafer is stationary relative to the chamber and a first fluid is in contact with the unexposed photoresist; controlling an exchange of mass between the unexposed photoresist and the first fluid environment, wherein the exchange of mass is controlled by: measuring at least two independent thermodynamic variables of the first fluid; and introducing and extracting chemical species to the first fluid environment responsive to the measurements; exposing the photoresist; relocating the wafer to a second fluid environment, wherein the wafer is stationary relative to the chamber and a second fluid is in contact with the exposed photoresist; and controlling an exchange of mass between the exposed photoresist and the second fluid environment, wherein the exchange of mass is controlled to resolve a feature size smaller than about 0.25 microns by: measuring at least three independent thermodynamic variables of the second fluid; and introducing and extracting chemical species to the second fluid environment responsive to the measurements.