Patent ID: 6200736
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
A photolithographic process, comprising the steps of:a) providing a substrate having a novolak-based photoresist film formed thereon, said photoresist film previously exposed to electron beam radiation;b) providing an aqueous developer composition comprising a metal alkali, a dialkylalkanolamine adjuvant, a surfactant, and a buffer selected from the group consisting of boric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, silicic acid, carbonic acid, and mixtures thereof;c) dissolving a portion of an exposed region of the photoresist film with the developer composition;d) rinsing the photoresist film thereby interrupting said dissolving step;e) drying the photoresist film in an oxidizing atmosphere; andf) repeating steps c), d), and e) for a number of times sufficient to complete dissolving the exposed region of the photoresist film to thereby define a multi-cycle process for developing the photoresist film.