Patent ID: 9209035
Filing Date: 2015-12-08
Classification: G03F,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of trimming a photoresist pattern, comprising, in sequence: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate comprising one or more layers to be patterned on an upper surface thereof; (b) forming a photoresist pattern on the one or more layers to be patterned, wherein the photoresist pattern comprises a plurality of features and is formed from a chemically amplified photoresist composition, the photoresist pattern comprising a matrix polymer having acid labile groups; (c) coating a photoresist trimming composition over the photoresist pattern, wherein the trimming composition comprises a matrix polymer, a thermal acid generator and a solvent, and wherein the trimming composition is free of cross-linking agents; (d) heating the coated semiconductor substrate to generate an acid in the trimming composition from the thermal acid generator, thereby causing a change in polarity of the photoresist matrix polymer in a surface region of the photoresist pattern; and (e) contacting the photoresist pattern with a developing solution to remove the surface region of the photoresist pattern.