Abstract:
A polymer comprising recurring units of formulae (1), (2) and (3) increases a dissolution rate in an alkali developer under the action of an acid.  
                         
 
R 1 , R 2  and R 5  are H or CH 3 , R 3  and R 4  are H or OH, and X is a tertiary exo-alkyl group having a bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane structure, represented by any of formulae (X-1) to (X-4):  
                         
 
wherein R 6  is a C 1 -C 10  alkyl group. A resist composition comprising the inventive polymer has a sensitivity to high-energy radiation, improved resolution and minimized line edge roughness and lends itself to micropatterning with electron beams or deep UV for VLSI fabrication.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     This invention relates to (i) a novel polymer for resist use, (ii) a resist composition comprising the polymer as a base resin for use in the micropatterning technology, and (iii) a patterning process using the resist composition.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     While a number of recent efforts are being made to achieve a finer pattern rule in the drive for higher integration and operating speeds in LSI devices, deep-ultraviolet lithography is thought to hold particular promise as the next generation in microfabrication technology. In particular, photolithography using a KrF or ArF excimer laser as the light source is strongly desired to reach the practical level as the micropatterning technique capable of achieving a feature size of 0.3 μm or less.  
         [0003]     The chemically amplified resist materials for use in photolithography using light of an excimer laser, especially ArF excimer laser having a wavelength of 193 nm, are, of course, required to have a high transparency to light of that wavelength. In addition, they are required to have an etching resistance sufficient to allow for film thickness reduction, a high sensitivity sufficient to eliminate any extra burden on the expensive optical material, and especially, a high resolution sufficient to form a precise micropattern. To meet these requirements, it is crucial to develop a base resin having a high transparency, rigidity and reactivity. Active efforts have been made to develop such base resins. In addition to these requirements, to minimize irregularities on the sidewalls and surface of a pattern, known as line edge roughness (LER), becomes an important task for the technology which is in continuous progress toward a finer feature size.  
         [0004]     Known high transparency resins include copolymers of acrylic or methacrylic acid derivatives (see JP-A 4-39665). These copolymers are relatively easy to increase reactivity in that highly reactive monomers can be introduced and acid labile units can be increased as desired. They can also be increased in rigidity by introducing alicyclic groups into acid labile units. Various structures have been proposed as the alicyclic acid-labile groups to be introduced (see JP-A 9-073173). Inter alia, a tertiary exo-alkyl group having a bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane structure is one of substituent groups capable of achieving a high contrast and high resolution (see JP-A 12-336121). However, a further improvement in LER is desired.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     An object of the invention is to provide a novel polymer for use in the formulation of a resist composition which satisfies both a high resolution and a low LER when processed by photolithography using light with a wavelength of up to 300 nm, especially ArF excimer laser light as the light source. Another object of the invention is to provide a resist composition comprising the polymer as a base resin, and a patterning process.  
         [0006]     The inventor has found that a resist composition comprising as a base resin a polymer comprising recurring units of the general formulae (1), (2) and (3), shown below, has good etching resistance and satisfies both a high resolution and a low LER. The recurring units of formulae (1) and (2) greatly contribute to etching resistance whereas the combined use of all the recurring units of the general formulae (1) to (3) enables to satisfy both a high resolution and a low LER.  
         [0007]     In a first aspect, the present invention provides a polymer which increases a dissolution rate in an alkali developer under the action of an acid. The polymer comprises recurring units having the general formulae (1), (2) and (3), the recurring units being of at least one type for each formula.  
                         
 
 Herein R 1 , R 2  and R 5  are each independently hydrogen or methyl, R 3  and R 4  are each independently hydrogen or hydroxyl, and X is a tertiary exo-alkyl group having a bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane structure, represented by any of the general formulae (X-1) to (X-4):  
                         
 
 wherein R 6  is a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. 
 
         [0010]     In a preferred embodiment, the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 2,000 to 50,000, and the molar ratios of the recurring units of formulae (1), (2) and (3) each are at least 10%.  
         [0011]     In a second aspect, the present invention provides a resist composition comprising the polymer defined above, preferably a resist composition comprising (A) the polymer, (B) a photoacid generator, (C) an organic solvent, and optionally (D) a nitrogen containing organic compound.  
         [0012]     In a third aspect, the present invention provides a process for forming a resist pattern comprising the steps of (1) applying the resist composition defined above onto a substrate to form a coating; (2) heat treating the coating and then exposing it to high-energy radiation having a wavelength of up to 300 nm or electron beams through a photomask; and (3) heat treating the exposed coating and developing it with a developer.  
         [0013]     The inventive resist composition prepared using the inventive polymer lends itself to micropatterning with electron beams or deep UV since it is sensitive to high-energy radiation and is improved in resolution and line edge roughness (LER). Especially because of the minimized absorption at the exposure wavelength of an ArF or KrF excimer laser, the composition can be processed by photolithography using such a laser, to form a finely defined pattern having sidewalls perpendicular to the substrate. The polymer is thus best suited as the base resin in resist compositions for VLSI fabrication. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]     The polymer of the invention is a resin which increases a dissolution rate in an alkali developer under the action of an acid, and is characterized by comprising recurring units having the general formulae (1), (2) and (3), the recurring units being of at least one type for each formula.  
                         
 
         [0015]     Herein R 1 , R 2  and R 5  are each independently hydrogen or methyl; R 3  and R 4  are each independently hydrogen or hydroxyl; and X is a tertiary exo-alkyl group having a bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane structure, represented by any of the general formulae (X-1) to (X-4):  
                         
 
 wherein R 6  is a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. 
 
         [0017]     In formula (1), R 1  is hydrogen or methyl and X is a tertiary exo-alkyl group having a bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane structure, represented by any of the general formulae (X-1) to (X-4).  
         [0018]     It is noted that the general formula (X-3) collectively represents one or a mixture of groups having the following general formulae (X-3-1) and (X-3-2).  
                         
 
         [0019]     Also, the general formula (X-4) collectively represents one or a mixture of groups having the following general formulae (X-4-1) to (X-4-4).  
                         
 
         [0020]     It should be understood that the formulae (X-1) to (X-4), (X-3-1), (X-3-2), and (X-4-1) to (X-4-4) each collectively represent an enantiomer thereof and a mixture of enantiomers.  
         [0021]     The direction of a valence bond of the alkyl group represented by the formulae (X-1) to (X-4), (X-3-1), (X-3-2), and (X-4-1) to (X-4-4) is on the exo side relative to the bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ring, which ensures high reactivity in acid-catalyzed elimination reaction and eventually allows a resist composition utilizing the polymer to accomplish a high contrast and high resolution. When a monomer substituted with a tertiary exo-alkyl group having a bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane structure, represented by any of the general formulae (X-1) to (X-4) is prepared, the product may also include a monomer substituted with an endo-alkyl group represented by the following general formulae (endo-X-1) to (endo-X-4). To ensure satisfactory reactivity, the exo proportion is preferably at least 50 mol %, and more preferably at least 80 mol % of the product.  
                         
 
         [0022]     In formulae (X-1) to (X-4), (X-3-1), (X-3-2), and (X-4-1) to (X-4-4), R 6  is a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.  
         [0023]     Illustrative, non-limiting examples of the recurring units of formula (1) are given below.  
                         
                         
                         
 
         [0024]     In formula (2), R 2  is hydrogen or methyl, R 3  and R 4  are each independently hydrogen or a hydroxyl group. Illustrative examples of the recurring units of formula (2) are given below.  
                         
 
         [0025]     In formula (3), R 5  is hydrogen or methyl. Illustrative examples of the recurring units of formula (3) are given below.  
                         
 
         [0026]     The inventive polymer can be prepared by using acrylic acid esters (where R 1 , R 2  and R 5  in formulae (1) to (3) are hydrogen) or methacrylic acid esters (where R 1 , R 2  and R 5  in formulae (1) to (3) are methyl) corresponding to the recurring units of formulae (1), (2) and (3), respectively, as starting reactants, and effecting polymerization in a conventional manner such as radical or cationic polymerization. In the case of radical polymerization, for example, acrylate or methacrylate reactants are mixed with a radical initiator and optionally a chain transfer agent in a solvent, and reaction is effected while optionally heating or cooling the reaction system.  
         [0027]     In addition to the recurring units of formulae (1), (2) and (3), the inventive polymer may further include recurring units which can be introduced by copolymerization of another polymerizable monomer(s). Illustrative, non-limiting examples of other polymerizable monomers include α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid esters such as other acrylates, other methacrylates, crotonates, maleates, and itaconates; α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, and itaconic acid; acrylonitrile; methacrylonitrile; α,β-unsaturated lactones such as 5,5-dimethyl-3-methylene-2-oxotetrahydrofuran; cyclic olefins such as norbornene derivatives and tetracyclo[4.4.0.1 2,5 . 1   7,10 ]dodecene derivatives; α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydrides such as maleic anhydride and itaconic anhydride; allyl ethers; vinyl ethers; vinyl esters; and vinyl silanes.  
         [0028]     Illustrative, non-limiting examples of the inventive polymers comprising recurring units, each of at least one type, having the general formulae (1), (2) and (3) are given below.  
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
 
         [0029]     The polymer of the invention should preferably have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 2,000 to 50,000. With a MW of less than 2,000, film formation and resolution may be poor whereas a Mw of more than 50,000 can compromise resolution. The Mw and polydispersity index (Mw/Mn) of the polymer can be adjusted by suitably selecting the condition of polymerization and purification.  
         [0030]     In a preferred embodiment, the molar ratios of the recurring units of formulae (1), (2) and (3) in the polymer each are at least 10%. If the molar ratio of the recurring units of any one of formulae (1) to (3) is less than 10%, resolution and LER may be poor. In a more preferred embodiment of the inventive polymer, the molar ratio of recurring units of formula (1) is from 15% to less than 70%, the molar ratio of recurring units of formula (2) is from 10% to less than 60%, and the molar ratio of recurring units of formula (3) is from 10% to less than 60%.  
         [0031]     In an embodiment wherein the molar ratios of the recurring units of formulae (1), (2) and (3) sum to less than 100%, the balance may consist of recurring units derived from any of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid esters such as other acrylates, other methacrylates, crotonates, maleates, and itaconates; α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, and itaconic acid; acrylonitrile; methacrylonitrile; α,β-unsaturated lactones such as 5,5-dimethyl-3-methylene-2-oxotetrahydrofuran; cyclic olefins such as norbornene derivatives and tetracyclo[4.4.0.1 2,5 .1 7,10 ]dodecene derivatives; α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydrides such as maleic anhydride and itaconic anhydride; allyl ethers; vinyl ethers; vinyl esters; and vinyl silanes.  
         [0032]     Advantageously, the polymer of the invention is used as a base resin in a resist composition, especially a chemically amplified positive resist composition. Therefore, the present invention in the second aspect provides a resist composition, especially a positive resist composition, comprising the above-described polymer. The resist composition is typically comprised of (A) the above-described polymer as a base resin, (B) a photoacid generator, (C) an organic solvent, and optionally (D) a nitrogen containing organic compound.  
         [0033]     If desired, the base resin as component (A) may include, in addition to the inventive polymer, another resin which increases a dissolution rate in an alkali developer under the action of an acid. The inventive polymer is preferably present in an amount of 10 to 100% by weight, more preferably 30 to 100% by weight, most preferably 50 to 100% by weight of the entire base resin.  
         [0034]     The photoacid generator (B) may be any compound capable of generating an acid upon exposure to high energy radiation. Preferred photoacid generators are sulfonium salts, iodonium salts, sulfonyldiazomethanes, and N-sulfonyloxyimides. These photoacid generators are illustrated below while they may be used alone or in admixture of two or more.  
         [0035]     Sulfonium salts are salts of sulfonium cations with sulfonates. Exemplary sulfonium cations include triphenylsulfonium, (4-tert-butoxyphenyl)diphenylsulfonium, bis(4-tert-butoxyphenyl)phenylsulfonium, tris(4-tert-butoxyphenyl)sulfonium, (3-tert-butoxyphenyl)diphenylsulfonium, bis(3-tert-butoxyphenyl)phenylsulfonium, tris(3-tert-butoxyphenyl)sulfonium, (3,4-di-tert-butoxyphenyl)diphenylsulfonium, bis(3,4-di-tert-butoxyphenyl)phenylsulfonium, tris(3,4-di-tert-butoxyphenyl)sulfonium, diphenyl(4-thiophenoxyphenyl)sulfonium, (4-tert-butoxycarbonylmethyloxyphenyl)diphenylsulfonium, tris(4-tert-butoxycarbonylmethyloxyphenyl)sulfonium, (4-tert-butoxyphenyl)bis(4-dimethylaminophenyl)sulfonium, tris(4-dimethylaminophenyl)sulfonium, 2-naphthyldiphenylsulfonium, dimethyl-2-naphthylsulfonium, 4-hydroxyphenyldimethylsulfonium, 4-methoxyphenyldimethylsulfonium, trimethylsulfonium, 2-oxocyclohexylcyclohexylmethylsulfonium, trinaphthylsulfonium, tribenzylsulfonium, diphenylmethylsulfonium, dimethylphenylsulfonium, and 2-oxo-2-phenylethylthiacyclopentanium. Exemplary sulfonates include trifluoromethanesulfonate, nonafluorobutanesulfonate, heptadecafluorooctanesulfonate, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanesulfonate, pentafluorobenzenesulfonate, 4-trifluoromethylbenzenesulfonate, 4-fluorobenzenesulfonate, mesitylenesulfonate, 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonate, toluenesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, 4-(4′-toluenesulfonyloxy)benzenesulfonate, naphthalenesulfonate, camphorsulfonate, octanesulfonate, dodecylbenzenesulfonate, butanesulfonate, and methanesulfonate. Sulfonium salts based on combination of the foregoing examples are included.  
         [0036]     Iodinium salts are salts of iodonium cations with sulfonates. Exemplary iodinium cations are aryliodonium cations including diphenyliodinium, bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)iodonium, 4-tert-butoxyphenylphenyliodonium, and 4-methoxyphenylphenyliodonium. Exemplary sulfonates include trifluoromethanesulfonate, nonafluorobutanesulfonate, heptadecafluorooctanesulfonate, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanesulfonate, pentafluorobenzenesulfonate, 4-trifluoromethylbenzenesulfonate, 4-fluorobenzenesulfonate, mesitylenesulfonate, 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonate, toluenesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, 4-(4′-toluenesulfonyloxy)benzenesulfonate, naphthalenesulfonate, camphorsulfonate, octanesulfonate, dodecylbenzenesulfonate, butanesulfonate, and methanesulfonate. Iodonium salts based on combination of the foregoing examples are included.  
         [0037]     Exemplary sulfonyldiazomethane compounds include bissulfonyldiazomethane compounds and sulfonyl-carbonyldiazomethane compounds such as bis(ethylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(1-methylpropylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(2-methylpropylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(1,1-dimethylethylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(cyclohexylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(perfluoroisopropylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(phenylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(2,4-dimethylphenylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(2-naphthylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(4-acetyloxyphenylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(4-methanesulfonyloxyphenylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(4-(4-toluenesulfonyloxy)phenylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(4-(n-hexyloxy)phenylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(2-methyl-4-(n-hexyloxy)phenylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(2,5-dimethyl-4-(n-hexyloxy)phenylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-(n-hexyloxy)phenylsulfonyl)diazomethane, bis(2-methyl-5-isopropyl-4-(n-hexyloxy)phenylsulfonyl)-diazomethane, 4-methylphenylsulfonylbenzoyldiazomethane, tert-butylcarbonyl-4-methylphenylsulfonyldiazomethane, 2-naphthylsulfonylbenzoyldiazomethane, 4-methylphenylsulfonyl-2-naphthoyldiazomethane, methylsulfonylbenzoyldiazomethane, and tert-butoxycarbonyl-4-methylphenylsulfonyldiazomethane.  
         [0038]     N-sulfonyloxyimide photoacid generators include combinations of imide skeletons with sulfonates. Exemplary imide skeletons are succinimide, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid imide, phthalimide, cyclohexyldicarboxylic acid imide, 5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid imide, and 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]-5-heptene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid imide. Exemplary sulfonates include trifluoromethanesulfonate, nonafluorobutanesulfonate, heptadecafluorooctanesulfonate, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanesulfonate, pentafluorobenzenesulfonate, 4-trifluoromethylbenzenesulfonate, 4-fluorobenzenesulfonate, mesitylenesulfonate, 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonate, toluenesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, naphthalenesulfonate, camphorsulfonate, octanesulfonate, dodecylbenzenesulfonate, butanesulfonate, and methanesulfonate.  
         [0039]     Benzoinsulfonate photoacid generators include benzoin tosylate, benzoin mesylate, and benzoin butanesulfonate.  
         [0040]     Pyrogallol trisulfonate photoacid generators include pyrogallol, fluoroglycinol, catechol, resorcinol, and hydroquinone, in which all the hydroxyl groups are replaced by trifluoromethanesulfonate, nonafluorobutanesulfonate, heptadecafluorooctanesulfonate, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanesulfonate, pentafluorobenzenesulfonate, 4-trifluoromethylbenzenesulfonate, 4-fluorobenzenesulfonate, toluenesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, naphthalenesulfonate, camphorsulfonate, octanesulfonate, dodecylbenzenesulfonate, butanesulfonate, and methanesulfonate.  
         [0041]     Nitrobenzyl sulfonate photoacid generators include 2,4-dinitrobenzyl sulfonates, 2-nitrobenzyl sulfonates, and 2,6-dinitrobenzyl sulfonates, with exemplary sulfonates including trifluoromethanesulfonate, nonafluorobutanesulfonate, heptadecafluorooctanesulfonate, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanesulfonate, pentafluorobenzenesulfonate, 4-trifluoromethylbenzenesulfonate, 4-fluorobenzenesulfonate, toluenesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, naphthalenesulfonate, camphorsulfonate, octanesulfonate, dodecylbenzenesulfonate, butanesulfonate, and methanesulfonate. Also useful are analogous nitrobenzyl sulfonate compounds in which the nitro group on the benzyl side is replaced by a trifluoromethyl group.  
         [0042]     Sulfone photoacid generators include bis(phenylsulfonyl)methane, bis(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)methane, bis(2-naphthylsulfonyl)methane, 2,2-bis(phenylsulfonyl)propane, 2,2-bis(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)propane, 2,2-bis(2-naphthylsulfonyl)propane, 2-methyl-2-(p-toluenesulfonyl)propiophenone, 2-cyclohexylcarbonyl-2-(p-toluenesulfonyl)propane, and 2,4-dimethyl-2-(p-toluenesulfonyl)pentan-3-one.  
         [0043]     Photoacid generators in the form of glyoxime derivatives are as described in Japanese Patent No. 2,906,999 and JP-A 9-301948. Examples include 
    bis-O-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-α-dimethylglyoxime,     bis-O-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-α-diphenylglyoxime,     bis-O-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-α-dicyclohexylglyoxime,     bis-O-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-2,3-pentanedioneglyoxime,     bis-O-(n-butanesulfonyl)-α-dimethylglyoxime,     bis-O-(n-butanesulfonyl)-α-diphenylglyoxime,     bis-O-(n-butanesulfonyl)-α-dicyclohexylglyoxime,     bis-O-(methanesulfonyl)-α-dimethylglyoxime,     bis-O-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-α-dimethylglyoxime,     bis-O-(2,2,2-trifluoroethanesulfonyl)-α-dimethylglyoxime,     bis-O-(10-camphorsulfonyl)-α-dimethylglyoxime,     bis-O-(benzenesulfonyl)-α-dimethylglyoxime,     bis-O-(p-fluorobenzenesulfonyl)-α-dimethylglyoxime,     bis-O-(p-trifluoromethylbenzenesulfonyl)-α-dimethylglyoxime,     bis-O-(xylenesulfonyl)-α-dimethylglyoxime,     bis-O-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-nioxime,     bis-O-(2,2,2-trifluoroethanesulfonyl)-nioxime,     bis-O-(10-camphorsulfonyl)-nioxime,     bis-O-(benzenesulfonyl)-nioxime,     bis-O-(p-fluorobenzenesulfonyl)-nioxime,     bis-O-(p-trifluoromethylbenzenesulfonyl)-nioxime, and     bis-O-(xylenesulfonyl)-nioxime.    
 
         [0066]     Also included are the oxime sulfonates described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,724, for example, 
    (5-(4-toluenesulfonyl)oxyimino-5H-thiophen-2-ylidene)phenyl-acetonitrile,     (5-(10-camphorsulfonyl)oxyimino-5H-thiophen-2-ylidene)phenyl-acetonitrile,     (5-n-octanesulfonyloxyimino-5H-thiophen-2-ylidene)phenyl-acetonitrile,     (5-(4-toluenesulfonyl)oxyimino-5H-thiophen-2-ylidene)(2-methylphenyl)acetonitrile,     (5-(10-camphorsulfonyl)oxyimino-5H-thiophen-2-ylidene)(2-methylphenyl)acetonitrile,     (5-n-octanesulfonyloxyimino-5H-thiophen-2-ylidene)(2-methylphenyl)acetonitrile, etc.    
 
         [0073]     Also included are the oxime sulfonates described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,738 and JP-A 2000-314956, for example, 
    2,2,2-trifluoro-1-phenyl-ethanone oxime-O-methylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-phenyl-ethanone oxime-O-(10-camphoryl-sulfonate);     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-phenyl-ethanone oxime-O-(4-methoxyphenyl-sulfonate);     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-phenyl-ethanone oxime-O-(1-naphthyl-sulfonate);     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-phenyl-ethanone oxime-O-(2-naphthyl-sulfonate);     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-phenyl-ethanone oxime-O-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenylsulfonate);     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(10-camphorylsulfonate);     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(methylsulfonate);     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(2-methylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(10-camphorylsulfonate);     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(10-camphorylsulfonate);     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(1-naphthylsulfonate);     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(2-naphthylsulfonate);     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(10-camphorylsulfonate);     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(1-naphthylsulfonate);     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(2-naphthylsulfonate);     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-methylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-methylthiophenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-methylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-methylsulfonate;     2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-1-phenyl-butanone oxime-O-(10-camphorylsulfonate);     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(phenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-methylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(phenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-10-camphoryl-sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(phenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(4-methoxy-phenyl)sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(phenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(1-naphthyl)-sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(phenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(2-naphthyl)-sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(phenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(10-camphoryl)sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-methylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(2-methylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(10-camphoryl)sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(1-naphthyl)sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(2-naphthyl)sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(10-camphoryl)sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(1-naphthyl)sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(2-naphthyl)sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-methylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-thiomethylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-methylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-methylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(4-methylphenyl)sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(4-dodecylphenyl)sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-octylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-thiomethylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-thiomethylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(4-dodecylphenyl)sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-thiomethylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-octylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-thiomethylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-(2-naphthyl)sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(2-methylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-methylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-phenylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethanone oxime-O-phenylsulfonate;     2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-1-(phenyl)-butanone oxime-O-(10-camphoryl)sulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-naphthyl-ethanone oxime-O-methylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-2-naphthyl-ethanone oxime-O-methylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-[4-benzylphenyl]-ethanone oxime-O-methylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-[4-(phenyl-1,4-dioxa-but-1-yl)phenyl]-ethanone oxime-O-methylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-naphthyl-ethanone oxime-O-propylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-2-naphthyl-ethanone oxime-O-propylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-[4-benzylphenyl]-ethanone oxime-O-propylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-[4-methylsulfonylphenyl]-ethanone oxime-O-propylsulfonate;     1,3-bis[1-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethanone oxime-O-sulfonyl]phenyl;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-[4-methylsulfonyloxyphenyl]-ethanone oxime-O-propylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-[4-methylcarbonyloxyphenyl]-ethanone oxime-O-propylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-[6H,7H-5,8-dioxonaphth-2-yl]-ethanone oxime-O-propylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-[4-methoxycarbonylmethoxyphenyl]-ethanone oxime-O-propylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-[4-(methoxycarbonyl)-(4-amino-1-oxa-pent-1-yl)-phenyl]-ethanone oxime-O-propylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-[3,5-dimethyl-4-ethoxyphenyl]-ethanone oxime-O-propylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-[4-benzyloxyphenyl]-ethanone oxime-O-propylsulfonate;     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-[2-thiophenyl]-ethanone oxime-O-propylsulfonate; and     2,2,2-trifluoro-1-[1-dioxa-thiophen-2-yl)]-ethanone oxime-O-propylsulfonate.    
 
         [0140]     Also included are the oxime sulfonates described in JP-A 9-95479 and JP-A 9-230588 and the references cited therein, for example, 
    α-(p-toluenesulfonyloxyimino)-phenylacetonitrile,     α-(p-chlorobenzenesulfonyloxyimino)-phenylacetonitrile,     α-(4-nitrobenzenesulfonyloxyimino)-phenylacetonitrile,     α-(4-nitro-2-trifluoromethylbenzenesulfonyloxyimino)-phenylacetonitrile,     α-(benzenesulfonyloxyimino)-4-chlorophenylacetonitrile,     α-(benzenesulfonyloxyimino)-2,4-dichlorophenylacetonitrile,     α-(benzenesulfonyloxyimino)-2,6-dichlorophenylacetonitrile,     α-(benzenesulfonyloxyimino)-4-methoxyphenylacetonitrile,     α-(2-chlorobenzenesulfonyloxyimino)-4-methoxyphenyl-acetonitrile,     α-(benzenesulfonyloxyimino)-2-thienylacetonitrile,     α-(4-dodecylbenzenesulfonyloxyimino)-phenylacetonitrile,     α-[(4-toluenesulfonyloxyimino)-4-methoxyphenyl]acetonitrile,     α-[(dodecylbenzenesulfonyloxyimino)-4-methoxyphenyl]-acetonitrile,     α-(tosyloxyimino)-3-thienylacetonitrile,     α-(methylsulfonyloxyimino)-1-cyclopentenylacetonitrile,     α-(ethylsulfonyloxyimino)-1-cyclopentenylacetonitrile,     α-(isopropylsulfonyloxyimino)-1-cyclopentenylacetonitrile,     α-(n-butylsulfonyloxyimino)-1-cyclopentenylacetonitrile,     α-(ethylsulfonyloxyimino)-1-cyclohexenylacetonitrile,     α-(isopropylsulfonyloxyimino)-1-cyclohexenylacetonitrile, and     α-(n-butylsulfonyloxyimino)-1-cyclohexenylacetonitrile.    
 
         [0162]     Suitable bisoxime sulfonates include those described in JP-A 9-208554, for example, 
    bis(α-(4-toluenesulfonyloxy)imino)-p-phenylenediacetonitrile,     bis(α-(benzenesulfonyloxy)imino)-p-phenylenediacetonitrile,     bis(α-(methanesulfonyloxy)imino)-p-phenylenediacetonitrile,     bis(α-(butanesulfonyloxy)imino)-p-phenylenediacetonitrile,     bis(α-(10-camphorsulfonyloxy)imino)-p-phenylenediacetonitrile,     bis(α-(4-toluenesulfonyloxy)imino)-p-phenylenediacetonitrile,     bis(α-(trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy)imino)-p-phenylene-diacetonitrile,     bis(α-(4-methoxybenzenesulfonyloxy)imino)-p-phenylene-diacetonitrile,     bis(α-(4-toluenesulfonyloxy)imino)-m-phenylenediacetonitrile,     bis(α-(benzenesulfonyloxy)imino)-m-phenylenediacetonitrile,     bis(α-(methanesulfonyloxy)imino)-m-phenylenediacetonitrile,     bis(α-(butanesulfonyloxy)imino)-m-phenylenediacetonitrile,     bis(α-(10-camphorsulfonyloxy)imino)-m-phenylenediacetonitrile,     bis(α-(4-toluenesulfonyloxy)imino)-m-phenylenediacetonitrile,     bis(α-(trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy)imino)-m-phenylene-diacetonitrile,     bis(α-(4-methoxybenzenesulfonyloxy)imino)-m-phenylene-diacetonitrile, etc.    
 
         [0179]     Of the photoacid generators, sulfonium salts, bissulfonyldiazomethanes, N-sulfonyloxyimides and glyoxime derivatives are preferred, with the sulfonium salts, bissulfonyldiazomethanes, and N-sulfonyloxyimides being most preferred. Illustrative examples include 
    triphenylsulfonium p-toluenesulfonate,     triphenylsulfonium camphorsulfonate,     triphenylsulfonium pentafluorobenzenesulfonate,     triphenylsulfonium nonafluorobutanesulfonate,     triphenylsulfonium 4-(4′-toluenesulfonyloxy)benzenesulfonate,     triphenylsulfonium 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonate,     4-tert-butoxyphenyldiphenylsulfonium p-toluenesulfonate,     4-tert-butoxyphenyldiphenylsulfonium camphorsulfonate,     4-tert-butoxyphenyldiphenylsulfonium 4-(4′-toluene-sulfonyloxy)benzenesulfonate,     tris(4-methylphenyl)sulfonium camphorsulfonate,     tris(4-tert-butylphenyl)sulfonium camphorsulfonate,     bis(tert-butylsulfonyl)diazomethane,     bis(cyclohexylsulfonyl)diazomethane,     bis(2,4-dimethylphenylsulfonyl)diazomethane,     bis(4-(n-hexyloxy)phenylsulfonyl)diazomethane,     bis(2-methyl-4-(n-hexyloxy)phenylsulfonyl)diazomethane,     bis(2,5-dimethyl-4-(n-hexyloxy)phenylsulfonyl)diazomethane,     bis(3,5-dimethyl-4-(n-hexyloxy)phenylsulfonyl)diazomethane,     bis(2-methyl-5-isopropyl-4-(n-hexyloxy)phenylsulfonyl)-diazomethane,     bis(4-tert-butylphenylsulfonyl)diazomethane,     N-camphorsulfonyloxy-5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid imide,     and N-p-toluenesulfonyloxy-5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid imide.    
 
         [0202]     In the chemically amplified resist composition of the invention, the photoacid generator may be added in any desired amount, typically 0 to 10 parts, preferably 0.1 to 10 parts, and more preferably 0.2 to 5 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the solids in the composition. Excessive amounts of the photoacid generator may degrade resolution and give rise to a problem of foreign matter during development and resist peeling. The photoacid generators may be used alone or in admixture. It is also possible to use a photoacid generator having a low transmittance at the exposure wavelength in a controlled amount so as to adjust the transmittance of a resist coating.  
         [0203]     In the resist composition of the invention, there may be added a compound which is decomposed with an acid to generate another acid, that is, acid-propagating compound. For these compounds, reference should be made to J. Photopolym. Sci. and Tech., 8, 43-44, 45-46 (1995), and ibid., 9, 29-30 (1996).  
         [0204]     Examples of the acid-propagating compound include tert-butyl 2-methyl-2-tosyloxymethylacetoacetate and 2-phenyl 2-(2-tosyloxyethyl)-1,3-dioxolane, but are not limited thereto. Of well-known photoacid generators, many of those compounds having poor stability, especially poor thermal stability exhibit an acid-propagating compound-like behavior.  
         [0205]     In the resist composition of the invention, an appropriate amount of the acid-propagating compound is up to 2 parts, and especially up to 1 part by weight per 100 parts by weight of the solids in the composition. Excessive amounts of the acid-propagating compound makes diffusion control difficult, leading to degradation of resolution and pattern configuration.  
         [0206]     The organic solvent (C) used herein may be any organic solvent in which the base resin, photoacid generator, and other components are soluble. Illustrative, non-limiting, examples of the organic solvent include ketones such as cyclohexanone and methyl 2-amyl ketone; alcohols such as 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, and 1-ethoxy-2-propanol; ethers such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, and diethylene glycol dimethyl ether; esters such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, ethyl lactate, ethyl pyruvate, butyl acetate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, tert-butyl acetate, tert-butyl propionate, and propylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether acetate; and lactones such as γ-butyrolactone. These solvents may be used alone or in combinations of two or more thereof. Of the above organic solvents, it is recommended to use diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, 1-ethoxy-2-propanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, or a mixture thereof because the photoacid generator is most soluble therein.  
         [0207]     An appropriate amount of the organic solvent used is about 200 to 1,000 parts, especially about 400 to 800 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the base resin.  
         [0208]     The nitrogen containing organic compound used as component (D) is preferably a compound capable of suppressing the rate of diffusion when the acid generated by the photoacid generator diffuses within the resist film. The inclusion of this type of nitrogen containing organic compound holds down the rate of acid diffusion within the resist film, resulting in better resolution. In addition, it suppresses changes in sensitivity following exposure and reduces substrate and environment dependence, as well as improving the exposure latitude and the pattern profile.  
         [0209]     Examples of nitrogen containing organic compounds include primary, secondary, and tertiary aliphatic amines, mixed amines, aromatic amines, heterocyclic amines, carboxyl group-containing nitrogen compounds, sulfonyl group-containing nitrogen compounds, hydroxyl group-containing nitrogen compounds, hydroxyphenyl group-containing nitrogen compounds, nitrogen containing alcohol compounds, amide derivatives, imide derivatives, and carbamate derivatives.  
         [0210]     Examples of suitable primary aliphatic amines include ammonia, methylamine, ethylamine, n-propylamine, isopropylamine, n-butylamine, isobutylamine, sec-butylamine, tert-butylamine, pentylamine, tert-amylamine, cyclopentylamine, hexylamine, cyclohexylamine, heptylamine, octylamine, nonylamine, decylamine, dodecylamine, cetylamine, methylenediamine, ethylenediamine, and tetraethylenepentamine. Examples of suitable secondary aliphatic amines include dimethylamine, diethylamine, di-n-propylamine, diisopropylamine, di-n-butylamine, diisobutylamine, di-sec-butylamine, dipentylamine, dicyclopentylamine, dihexylamine, dicyclohexylamine, diheptylamine, dioctylamine, dinonylamine, didecylamine, didodecylamine, dicetylamine, N,N-dimethylmethylenediamine, N,N-dimethylethylenediamine, and N,N-dimethyltetraethylenepentamine. Examples of suitable tertiary aliphatic amines include trimethylamine, triethylamine, tri-n-propylamine, triisopropylamine, tri-n-butylamine, triisobutylamine, tri-sec-butylamine, tripentylamine, tricyclopentylamine, trihexylamine, tricyclohexylamine, triheptylamine, trioctylamine, trinonylamine, tridecylamine, tridodecylamine, tricetylamine, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylmethylenediamine, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine, and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyltetraethylenepentamine.  
         [0211]     Examples of suitable mixed amines include dimethylethylamine, methylethylpropylamine, benzylamine, phenethylamine, and benzyldimethylamine. Examples of suitable aromatic and heterocyclic amines include aniline derivatives (e.g., aniline, N-methylaniline, N-ethylaniline, N-propylaniline, N,N-dimethylaniline, 2-methylaniline, 3-methylaniline, 4-methylaniline, ethylaniline, propylaniline, trimethylaniline, 2-nitroaniline, 3-nitroaniline, 4-nitroaniline, 2,4-dinitroaniline, 2,6-dinitroaniline, 3,5-dinitroaniline, and N,N-dimethyltoluidine), diphenyl(p-tolyl)amine, methyldiphenylamine, triphenylamine, phenylenediamine, naphthylamine, diaminonaphthalene, pyrrole derivatives (e.g., pyrrole, 2H-pyrrole, 1-methylpyrrole, 2,4-dimethylpyrrole, 2,5-dimethylpyrrole, and N-methylpyrrole), oxazole derivatives (e.g., oxazole and isooxazole), thiazole derivatives (e.g., thiazole and isothiazole), imidazole derivatives (e.g., imidazole, 4-methylimidazole, and 4-methyl-2-phenylimidazole), pyrazole derivatives, furazan derivatives, pyrroline derivatives (e.g., pyrroline and 2-methyl-1-pyrroline), pyrrolidine derivatives (e.g., pyrrolidine, N-methylpyrrolidine, pyrrolidinone, and N-methylpyrrolidone), imidazoline derivatives, imidazolidine derivatives, pyridine derivatives (e.g., pyridine, methylpyridine, ethylpyridine, propylpyridine, butylpyridine, 4-(1-butylpentyl)pyridine, dimethylpyridine, trimethylpyridine, triethylpyridine, phenylpyridine, 3-methyl-2-phenylpyridine, 4-tert-butylpyridine, diphenylpyridine, benzylpyridine, methoxypyridine, butoxypyridine, dimethoxypyridine, 1-methyl-2-pyridone, 4-pyrrolidinopyridine, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine, 2-(1-ethylpropyl)pyridine, aminopyridine, and dimethylaminopyridine), pyridazine derivatives, pyrimidine derivatives, pyrazine derivatives, pyrazoline derivatives, pyrazolidine derivatives, piperidine derivatives, piperazine derivatives, morpholine derivatives, indole derivatives, isoindole derivatives, 1H-indazole derivatives, indoline derivatives, quinoline derivatives (e.g., quinoline and 3-quinolinecarbonitrile), isoquinoline derivatives, cinnoline derivatives, quinazoline derivatives, quinoxaline derivatives, phthalazine derivatives, purine derivatives, pteridine derivatives, carbazole derivatives, phenanthridine derivatives, acridine derivatives, phenazine derivatives, 1,10-phenanthroline derivatives, adenine derivatives, adenosine derivatives, guanine derivatives, guanosine derivatives, uracil derivatives, and uridine derivatives.  
         [0212]     Examples of suitable carboxyl group-containing nitrogen compounds include aminobenzoic acid, indolecarboxylic acid, and amino acid derivatives (e.g. nicotinic acid, alanine, alginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, glycylleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, lysine, 3-aminopyrazine-2-carboxylic acid, and methoxyalanine). Examples of suitable sulfonyl group-containing nitrogen compounds include 3-pyridinesulfonic acid and pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate. Examples of suitable hydroxyl group-containing nitrogen compounds, hydroxyphenyl group-containing nitrogen compounds, and nitrogen containing alcohol compounds include 2-hydroxypyridine, aminocresol, 2,4-quinolinediol, 3-indolemethanol hydrate, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, N-ethyldiethanolamine, N,N-diethylethanolamine, triisopropanolamine, 2,2′-iminodiethanol, 2-aminoethanol, 3-amino-1-propanol, 4-amino-1-butanol, 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)morpholine, 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyridine, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine, 1-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl]piperazine, piperidine ethanol, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidine, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidinone, 3-piperidino-1,2-propanediol, 3-pyrrolidino-1,2-propanediol, 8-hydroxyjulolidine, 3-quinuclidinol, 3-tropanol, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidine ethanol, 1-aziridine ethanol, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)phthalimide, and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)isonicotinamide. Examples of suitable amide derivatives include formamide, N-methylformamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, acetamide, N-methylacetamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, propionamide, benzamide, and 1-cyclohexylpyrrolidone. Suitable imide derivatives include phthalimide, succinimide, and maleimide. Suitable carbamate derivatives include N-t-butoxycarbonyl-N,N-dicyclohexylamine, N-t-butoxycarbonylbenzimidazole and oxazolidinone.  
         [0213]     In addition, nitrogen containing organic compounds of the following general formula (B)-1 may also be included alone or in admixture. 
 
N(X) n (Y) 3-n   (B)-1 
 
         [0214]     In the formula, n is equal to 1, 2 or 3; side chain Y is independently hydrogen or a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms which may contain an ether or hydroxyl group; and side chain X is independently selected from groups of the following general formulas (X)-1 to (X)-3, and two or three X&#39;s may bond together to form a ring.  
                         
 
         [0215]     In the formulas, R 300 , R 302  and R 305  are independently straight or branched alkylene groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R 301  and R 304  are independently hydrogen, straight, branched or cyclic alkyl groups of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, which may contain at least one hydroxyl, ether, ester group or lactone ring; R 303  is a single bond or a straight or branched alkylene group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R 306  is a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, which may contain at least one hydroxyl, ether, ester group or lactone ring.  
         [0216]     Illustrative examples of the compounds of formula (B)-1 include tris(2-methoxymethoxyethyl)amine, 
    tris{2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl}amine,     tris{2-(2-methoxyethoxymethoxy)ethyl}amine,     tris{2-(1-methoxyethoxy)ethyl}amine,     tris{2-(1-ethoxyethoxy)ethyl}amine,     tris{2-(1-ethoxypropoxy)ethyl}amine,     tris[2-{2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy}ethyl]amine,     4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane,     4,7,13,18-tetraoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.5.5]eicosane,     1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazabicyclooctadecane,     1-aza-12-crown-4,1-aza-15-crown-5,1-aza-18-crown-6,     tris(2-formyloxyethyl)amine, tris(2-acetoxyethyl)amine,     tris(2-propionyloxyethyl)amine, tris(2-butyryloxyethyl)amine,     tris(2-isobutyryloxyethyl)amine, tris(2-valeryloxyethyl)amine,     tris(2-pivaloyloxyethyl)amine,     N,N-bis(2-acetoxyethyl)-2-(acetoxyacetoxy)ethylamine,     tris(2-methoxycarbonyloxyethyl)amine,     tris(2-tert-butoxycarbonyloxyethyl)amine,     tris[2-(2-oxopropoxy)ethyl]amine,     tris[2-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)oxyethyl]amine,     tris[2-(tert-butoxycarbonylmethyloxy)ethyl]amine,     tris[2-(cyclohexyloxycarbonylmethyloxy)ethyl]amine,     tris(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)amine,     tris(2-ethoxycarbonylethyl)amine,     N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-acetoxyethyl)-2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-(ethoxycarbonyl)ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-acetoxyethyl)-2-(ethoxycarbonyl)ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-(2-methoxyethoxycarbonyl)ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-acetoxyethyl)-2-(2-methoxyethoxycarbonyl)ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-(2-hydroxyethoxycarbonyl)ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-acetoxyethyl)-2-(2-acetoxyethoxycarbonyl)ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-[(methoxycarbonyl)methoxycarbonyl]-ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-acetoxyethyl)-2-[(methoxycarbonyl)methoxycarbonyl]-ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-(2-oxopropoxycarbonyl)ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-acetoxyethyl)-2-(2-oxopropoxycarbonyl)ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-(tetrahydrofurfuryloxycarbonyl)-ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-acetoxyethyl)-2-(tetrahydrofurfuryloxycarbonyl)-ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-[(2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-yl)oxy-carbonyl]ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-acetoxyethyl)-2-[(2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-yl)oxy-carbonyl]ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-(4-hydroxybutoxycarbonyl)ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-formyloxyethyl)-2-(4-formyloxybutoxycarbonyl)-ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-formyloxyethyl)-2-(2-formyloxyethoxycarbonyl)-ethylamine,     N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)-2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethylamine,     N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-bis[2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]amine,     N-(2-acetoxyethyl)-bis[2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]amine,     N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-bis[2-(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl]amine,     N-(2-acetoxyethyl)-bis[2-(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl]amine,     N-(3-hydroxy-1-propyl)-bis[2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]amine,     N-(3-acetoxy-1-propyl)-bis[2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]amine,     N-(2-methoxyethyl)-bis[2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]amine,     N-butyl-bis[2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]amine,     N-butyl-bis[2-(2-methoxyethoxycarbonyl)ethyl]amine,     N-methyl-bis(2-acetoxyethyl)amine,     N-ethyl-bis(2-acetoxyethyl)amine,     N-methyl-bis(2-pivaloyloxyethyl)amine,     N-ethyl-bis[2-(methoxycarbonyloxy)ethyl]amine,     N-ethyl-bis[2-(tert-butoxycarbonyloxy)ethyl]amine,     tris(methoxycarbonylmethyl)amine,     tris(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)amine,     N-butyl-bis(methoxycarbonylmethyl)amine,     N-hexyl-bis(methoxycarbonylmethyl)amine, and     β-(diethylamino)-δ-valerolactone.    
 
         [0279]     Also useful are one or more of nitrogen containing organic compounds with ring structure having the following general formula (B)-2.  
                         
 
 Herein X is as defined above, and R 307  is a straight or branched alkylene group of 2 to 20 carbon atoms which may contain one or more carbonyl, ether, ester or sulfide groups. 
 
         [0281]     Illustrative examples of the nitrogen containing organic compounds with ring structure having formula (B)-2 include 
    1-[2-(methoxymethoxy)ethyl]pyrrolidine,     1-[2-(methoxymethoxy)ethyl]piperidine,     4-[2-(methoxymethoxy)ethyl]morpholine,     1-[2-[(2-methoxyethoxy)methoxy]ethyl]pyrrolidine,     1-[2-[(2-methoxyethoxy)methoxy]ethyl]piperidine,     4-[2-[(2-methoxyethoxy)methoxy]ethyl]morpholine,     2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl acetate, 2-piperidinoethyl acetate,     2-morpholinoethyl acetate, 2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl formate,     2-piperidinoethyl propionate,     2-morpholinoethyl acetoxyacetate,     2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl methoxyacetate,     4-[2-(methoxycarbonyloxy)ethyl]morpholine,     1-[2-(t-butoxycarbonyloxy)ethyl]piperidine,     4-[2-(2-methoxyethoxycarbonyloxy)ethyl]morpholine,     methyl 3-(1-pyrrolidinyl)propionate,     methyl 3-piperidinopropionate, methyl 3-morpholinopropionate,     methyl 3-(thiomorpholino)propionate,     methyl 2-methyl-3-(1-pyrrolidinyl)propionate,     ethyl 3-morpholinopropionate,     methoxycarbonylmethyl 3-piperidinopropionate,     2-hydroxyethyl 3-(1-pyrrolidinyl)propionate,     2-acetoxyethyl 3-morpholinopropionate,     2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-yl 3-(1-pyrrolidinyl)propionate,     tetrahydrofurfuryl 3-morpholinopropionate,     glycidyl 3-piperidinopropionate,     2-methoxyethyl 3-morpholinopropionate,     2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl 3-(1-pyrrolidinyl)propionate,     butyl 3-morpholinopropionate,     cyclohexyl 3-piperidinopropionate,     α-(1-pyrrolidinyl)methyl-γ-butyrolactone,     β-piperidino-β-butyrolactone, β-morpholino-δ-valerolactone,     methyl 1-pyrrolidinylacetate, methyl piperidinoacetate,     methyl morpholinoacetate, methyl thiomorpholinoacetate,     ethyl 1-pyrrolidinylacetate, and     2-methoxyethyl morpholinoacetate.    
 
         [0317]     Also, one or more of nitrogen containing organic compounds with cyano group having the following general formulae (B)-3 to (B)-6 may be blended.  
                         
 
 Herein, X, R 307  and n are as defined above, and R 308  and R 309  are each independently a straight or branched alkylene group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms. 
 
         [0319]     Illustrative examples of the nitrogen containing organic compounds with cyano group having formulae (B)-3 to (B)-6 include 
    3-(diethylamino)propiononitrile,     N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-aminopropiononitrile,     N,N-bis(2-acetoxyethyl)-3-aminopropiononitrile,     N,N-bis(2-formyloxyethyl)-3-aminopropiononitrile,     N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)-3-aminopropiononitrile,     N,N-bis[2-(methoxymethoxy)ethyl]-3-aminopropiononitrile,     methyl N-(2-cyanoethyl)-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-3-aminopropionate,     methyl N-(2-cyanoethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-aminopropionate,     methyl N-(2-acetoxyethyl)-N-(2-cyanoethyl)-3-aminopropionate,     N-(2-cyanoethyl)-N-ethyl-3-aminopropiononitrile,     N-(2-cyanoethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-aminopropiononitrile,     N-(2-acetoxyethyl)-N-(2-cyanoethyl)-3-aminopropiononitrile,     N-(2-cyanoethyl)-N-(2-formyloxyethyl)-3-aminopropiononitrile,     N-(2-cyanoethyl)-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-3-aminopropiononitrile,     N-(2-cyanoethyl)-N-[2-(methoxymethoxy)ethyl]-3-aminopropiono-nitrile,     N-(2-cyanoethyl)-N-(3-hydroxy-1-propyl)-3-aminopropiono-nitrile,     N-(3-acetoxy-1-propyl)-N-(2-cyanoethyl)-3-aminopropiono-nitrile,     N-(2-cyanoethyl)-N-(3-formyloxy-1-propyl)-3-aminopropiono-nitrile,     N-(2-cyanoethyl)-N-tetrahydrofurfuryl-3-aminopropiononitrile,     N,N-bis(2-cyanoethyl)-3-aminopropiononitrile, diethylaminoacetonitrile,     N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)aminoacetonitrile,     N,N-bis(2-acetoxyethyl)aminoacetonitrile,     N,N-bis(2-formyloxyethyl)aminoacetonitrile,     N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)aminoacetonitrile,     N,N-bis[2-(methoxymethoxy)ethyl]aminoacetonitrile,     methyl N-cyanomethyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-3-aminopropionate,     methyl N-cyanomethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-aminopropionate,     methyl N-(2-acetoxyethyl)-N-cyanomethyl-3-aminopropionate,     N-cyanomethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)aminoacetonitrile,     N-(2-acetoxyethyl)-N-(cyanomethyl)aminoacetonitrile,     N-cyanomethyl-N-(2-formyloxyethyl)aminoacetonitrile,     N-cyanomethyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl)aminoacetonitrile,     N-cyanomethyl-N-[2-(methoxymethoxy)ethyl)aminoacetonitrile,     N-cyanomethyl-N-(3-hydroxy-1-propyl)aminoacetonitrile,     N-(3-acetoxy-1-propyl)-N-(cyanomethyl)aminoacetonitrile,     N-cyanomethyl-N-(3-formyloxy-1-propyl)aminoacetonitrile,     N,N-bis(cyanomethyl)aminoacetonitrile,     1-pyrrolidinepropiononitrile, 1-piperidinepropiononitrile,     4-morpholinepropiononitrile, 1-pyrrolidineacetonitrile,     1-piperidineacetonitrile, 4-morpholineacetonitrile,     cyanomethyl 3-diethylaminopropionate,     cyanomethyl N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-aminopropionate,     cyanomethyl N,N-bis(2-acetoxyethyl)-3-aminopropionate,     cyanomethyl N,N-bis(2-formyloxyethyl)-3-aminopropionate,     cyanomethyl N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)-3-aminopropionate,     cyanomethyl N,N-bis[2-(methoxymethoxy)ethyl]-3-amino-propionate,     2-cyanoethyl 3-diethylaminopropionate,     2-cyanoethyl N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-aminopropionate,     2-cyanoethyl N,N-bis(2-acetoxyethyl)-3-aminopropionate,     2-cyanoethyl N,N-bis(2-formyloxyethyl)-3-aminopropionate,     2-cyanoethyl N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)-3-aminopropionate,     2-cyanoethyl N,N-bis[2-(methoxymethoxy)ethyl]-3-amino-propionate,     cyanomethyl 1-pyrrolidinepropionate,     cyanomethyl 1-piperidinepropionate,     cyanomethyl 4-morpholinepropionate,     2-cyanoethyl 1-pyrrolidinepropionate,     2-cyanoethyl 1-piperidinepropionate, and     2-cyanoethyl 4-morpholinepropionate.    
 
         [0378]     Also included are nitrogen containing organic compounds having an imidazole structure and a polar functional group, represented by the general formula (B)-7.  
                         
 
 Herein, R 310  is a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group of 2 to 20 carbon atoms having at least one polar functional group selected from among hydroxyl, carbonyl, ester, ether, sulfide, carbonate, cyano and acetal groups; R 311 , R 312  and R 313  are each independently a hydrogen atom, a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group, aryl group or aralkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. 
 
         [0380]     Also included are nitrogen containing organic compounds having a benzimidazole structure and a polar functional group, represented by the general formula (B)-8.  
                         
 
 Herein, R 314  is a hydrogen atom, a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group, aryl group or aralkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. R 315  is straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms having a polar functional group, and the alkyl group contains as the polar functional group at least one group selected from among ester, acetal and cyano groups, and may additionally contain at least one group selected from among hydroxyl, carbonyl, ether, sulfide and carbonate groups. 
 
         [0382]     Further included are heterocyclic nitrogen compounds having a polar functional group, represented by the general formulae (B)-9 and (B)-10.  
                         
 
 Herein, A is a nitrogen atom or ≡C—R 322 , B is a nitrogen atom or ≡C—R 323 , R 316  is a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group of 2 to 20 carbon atoms having at least one polar functional group selected from among hydroxyl, carbonyl, ester, ether, sulfide, carbonate, cyano and acetal groups; R 317 , R 318 , R 319  and R 320  are each independently a hydrogen atom, a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group or aryl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a pair of R 317  and R 318  and a pair of R 319  and R 320 , taken together, may form a benzene, naphthalene or pyridine ring; R 321  is a hydrogen atom, a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group or aryl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R 322  and R 323  each are a hydrogen atom, a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group or aryl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a pair of R 321  and R 323 , taken together, may form a benzene or naphthalene ring. 
 
         [0384]     The nitrogen containing organic compounds may be used alone or in admixture of two or more. The nitrogen containing organic compound is preferably formulated in an amount of 0.001 to 2 parts, and especially 0.01 to 1 part by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the entire base resin. Less than 0.001 part of the nitrogen containing organic compound achieves no or little addition effect whereas more than 2 parts would result in too low a sensitivity.  
         [0385]     While the resist composition of the invention is basically composed of the inventive polymer, the photoacid generator, the organic solvent and the nitrogen containing organic compound as described above, it may further include any well-known components such as dissolution inhibitors, acidic compounds, stabilizers, dyes, and surfactants, if necessary. Such optional components are added in any desired amounts insofar as the benefits of the invention are not impaired.  
         [0386]     Of these, surfactants are often used for improving the coating characteristics. Nonionic surfactants are preferred, examples of which include perfluoroalkylpolyoxyethylene ethanols, fluorinated alkyl esters, perfluoroalkylamine oxides, perfluoroalkyl EO-addition products, and fluorinated organosiloxane compounds. Useful surfactants are commercially available under the trade names Fluorad FC-430 and FC-431 from Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd., Surflon S-141 and S-145, KH-10, KH-20, KH-30 and KH-40 from Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., Unidyne DS-401, DS-403 and DS-451 from Daikin Industry Co., Ltd., Megaface F-8151 from Dainippon Ink &amp; Chemicals, Inc., and X-70-092 and X-70-093 from Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. Preferred surfactants are Fluorad FC-430 from Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd., KH-20, KH-30 from Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., and X-70-093 from Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.  
         [0387]     Pattern formation using the resist composition of the invention may be carried out by a known lithographic technique. For example, the resist composition is applied onto a substrate such as a silicon wafer by spin coating or the like to form a resist film having a thickness of 0.3 to 2.0 μm, which is then pre-baked on a hot plate at 60 to 150° C. for 1 to 10 minutes, and preferably at 80 to 140° C. for 1 to 5 minutes. A patterning mask having the desired pattern is then placed over the resist film, and the film exposed through the mask to an electron beam or to high-energy radiation such as deep-UV rays, an excimer laser, or x-rays in a dose of about 1 to 200 mJ/cm 2 , and preferably about 10 to 100 mJ/cm 2 . Light exposure may be done by a conventional exposure process or in some cases, by an immersion process of providing liquid impregnation between the mask and the resist. The resist film is then post-exposure baked (PEB) on a hot plate at 60 to 150° C. for 1 to 5 minutes, and preferably at 80 to 140° C. for 1 to 3 minutes. Finally, development is carried out using as the developer an aqueous alkali solution, such as a 0.1 to 5% (preferably 2 to 3%) aqueous solution of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), this being done by a conventional method such as dipping, puddling, or spraying for a period of 0.1 to 3 minutes, and preferably 0.5 to 2 minutes. These steps result in the formation of the desired pattern on the substrate. Of the various types of high-energy radiation that may be used, the resist composition of the invention is best suited to fine pattern formation with, in particular, deep-UV rays having a wavelength of 250 to 190 nm, an excimer laser, x-rays, or an electron beam. The desired pattern may not be obtainable outside the upper and lower limits of the above range.  
       EXAMPLE  
       [0388]     Examples of the invention are given below by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.  
         [0389]     Polymers within the scope of the invention were synthesized according to the method shown below.  
       Synthesis Example 1  
     Synthesis of Polymer 1  
       [0390]     In a nitrogen atmosphere, a mixture of 6.8 g of Monomer 1, 6.7 g of Monomer 2, 6.0 g of Monomer 3, 490 mg of N,N′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), and 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran (THF) was heated and stirred at 60° C. for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool down and thereafter, added dropwise to 300 g of hexane, with vigorous stirring. A precipitate settled out and was separated by filtration. The solids thus obtained were washed with hexane and dried in vacuum, obtaining 16.5 g of the target polymer. The yield was 85%. An integration ratio computed from a  1 H-NMR spectrum indicated an approximate copolymerization ratio of 35:30:35. The polymer had a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 8,600 as measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using polystyrene standards, and a polydispersity index (Mw/Mn) of 1.80.  
         [0391]     The reaction scheme is shown below.  
                         
 
       Synthesis Examples 2-10 &amp; Comparative Synthesis Examples 1-3  
     Synthesis of Polymers 2 to 13  
       [0392]     Polymers 2 to 13 were synthesized as in Synthesis Example 1 except that acrylates or methacrylates corresponding to the respective recurring units were used in amounts proportional to a copolymerization ratio.  
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
 
         [0393]     A series of resist materials having the inventive polymers formulated as a base resin were prepared. The resist materials were processed by the patterning process of the invention and assayed for resolution and LER.  
       Example 1  
       [0394]     Using Polymer 1 obtained in Synthesis Example 1, a resist material was prepared according to the composition: 
    (A) 80 parts by weight of Polymer 1 as the base resin,     (B) 2.0 parts by weight of triphenylsulfonium nonafluorobutanesulfonate as the photoacid generator,     (C) 640 parts by weight of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate as the solvent, and     (D) 0.25 part by weight of triethanolamine as the nitrogen containing organic compound. 
 
 This was passed through a Teflon® filter having a pore diameter of 0.2 μm. 
   
 
         [0400]     The resist material was spin coated on a silicon wafer having an antireflection film (ARC29A by Nissan Chemical Co., Ltd., 78 nm) coated thereon and heat treated at 130° C. for 60 seconds, forming a resist film of 300 nm thick. The resist film was exposed to light in an ArF excimer laser stepper (Nikon Corp., NA=0.68), heat treated at 115° C. for 60 seconds, cooled down to 230 C, and puddle developed in a 2.38% aqueous solution of tetramethylammonium hydroxide at 23° C. for 60 seconds, thereby forming a 1:1 line-and-space pattern. The wafer as developed was observed under top-down SEM. At the exposure (optimum exposure) which provided a 1:1 resolution of a 0.13-μun line-and-space pattern, patterns down to a line width of 0.11 μm were isolated and resolved without stripping. The pattern was observed to have good LER.  
       Examples 2-10 &amp; Comparative Examples 1-3  
       [0401]     As in Example 1, resist materials were prepared using Polymers 2 to 13 obtained in Synthesis Examples 2-10 and Comparative Synthesis Examples 1-3, and evaluated for resolution and LER.  
         [0402]     Based on the test results, the resist materials are rated “OK” or “NG” with respect to whether or not a 0.11-μm line-and-space pattern could be resolved and whether LER was acceptable or unacceptable. The results are shown in Table 1.  
                           TABLE 1                               0.11 μm           Example   Base polymer   pattern resolution   LER                   Example 1    Polymer 1    OK   OK       Example 2    Polymer 2    OK   OK       Example 3    Polymer 3    OK   OK       Example 4    Polymer 4    OK   OK       Example 5    Polymer 5    OK   OK       Example 6    Polymer 6    OK   OK       Example 7    Polymer 7    OK   OK       Example 8    Polymer 8    OK   OK       Example 9    Polymer 9    OK   OK       Example 10   Polymer 10   OK   OK       Comparative Example 1   Polymer 11   NG (collapsed)   —       Comparative Example 2   Polymer 12   OK   NG       Comparative Example 3   Polymer 13   NG (not isolated)   —                  
 
         [0403]     It is evident from Table 1 that the resist compositions within the scope of the invention satisfy both high resolution and low LER when processed through ArF excimer laser exposure.  
         [0404]     Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-286647 is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0405]     Although some preferred embodiments have been described, many modifications and variations may be made thereto in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described without departing from the scope of the appended claims.