PHOTORESIST MATERIALS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

Photoresist materials described herein may include various types of tin (Sn) clusters having one or more types of ligands. As an example, a photoresist material described herein may include tin clusters bearing two or more different types of carboxylate ligands. As another example, a photoresist material described herein may include tin oxide clusters that include carbonate ligands. The two or more different types of carboxylate ligands and the carbonate ligands may reduce, minimize, and/or prevent crystallization of the photoresist materials described herein, which may increase the coating performance of the photoresist materials and may decrease the surface roughness of photoresist layers formed using the photoresist materials described herein.

BACKGROUND

As semiconductor device sizes continue to shrink some lithography technologies suffer from optical restrictions, which lead to resolution issues and reduced lithography performance. In comparison, extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography can achieve much smaller semiconductor device sizes and/or feature sizes through the use of reflective optics and radiation wavelengths of approximately 13.5 nanometers or less.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One of the issues with extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is that EUV radiation is highly absorbed by most matter due to the short wavelength of EUV radiation. As a result, only a small fraction of EUV radiation that is generated by an EUV source is finally available at a substrate that is to be patterned. Thus, elements used in deep ultraviolet lithography photoresist materials (e.g., carbon (C), hydrogen, and oxygen (O), among other examples) may not be suitable for EUV lithography, as these elements may not provide sufficient absorption of EUV radiation. One way of compensating for the loss of EUV radiation intensity at the substrate is to use highly-absorptive metallic photoresist materials. However, these materials may suffer from surface roughness issues and air/water sensitivity, which can decrease the patterning performance of the photoresist layers that are formed using the materials.

Some implementations described herein provide photoresist materials that include various types of tin (Sn) clusters having one or more types of ligands. As an example, a photoresist material described herein may include tin clusters bearing two or more different types of carboxylate ligands. As another example, a photoresist material described herein may include tin oxide clusters that include carbonate ligands. The two or more different types of carboxylate ligands and the carbonate ligands may reduce, minimize, and/or prevent crystallization of the photoresist materials described herein, which may increase the coating performance of the photoresist materials and may decrease the surface roughness of photoresist layers formed using the photoresist materials described herein.

FIG.1is a diagram of an example environment100in which systems and/or methods described herein may be implemented. As shown inFIG.1, environment100may include a plurality of semiconductor processing tools102-108and a wafer/die transport tool110. The plurality of semiconductor processing tools102-108may include a deposition tool102, an exposure tool104, a developer tool106, an etch tool108, and/or another type of semiconductor processing tool. The tools included in example environment100may be included in a semiconductor clean room, a semiconductor foundry, a semiconductor processing and/or manufacturing facility, and/or another type of semiconductor processing environment.

The deposition tool102is a semiconductor processing tool that includes a semiconductor processing chamber and one or more devices capable of depositing various types of materials onto a substrate. In some implementations, the deposition tool102includes a spin coating tool that is capable of depositing a photoresist layer on a substrate such as a wafer. In some implementations, the deposition tool102includes a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) tool such as a plasma-enhanced CVD (PECVD) tool, a high-density plasma CVD (HDP-CVD) tool, a sub-atmospheric CVD (SACVD) tool, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) tool, a plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) tool, or another type of CVD tool. In some implementations, the deposition tool102includes a physical vapor deposition (PVD) tool, such as a sputtering tool or another type of PVD tool. In some implementations, the example environment100includes a plurality of types of deposition tools102.

The developer tool106is a semiconductor processing tool that is capable of developing a photoresist layer that has been exposed to a radiation source to develop a pattern transferred to the photoresist layer from the exposure tool104. In some implementations, the developer tool106develops a pattern by removing unexposed portions of a photoresist layer. In some implementations, the developer tool106develops a pattern by removing exposed portions of a photoresist layer. In some implementations, the developer tool106develops a pattern by dissolving exposed or unexposed portions of a photoresist layer through the use of a chemical developer.

In some implementations, one or more of the deposition tool102, the exposure tool104, and/or the developer tool106may be configured to perform various types of baking operations such as a pre-exposure bake operation or a post-exposure bake operation. Baking the substrate may include elevating the temperature of the photoresist layer for a time duration. In some implementations, the deposition tool102, the exposure tool104, and the developer tool106are included in a track unit designed for multiple photoresist-related processes including coating, baking, and developing.

The etch tool108is a semiconductor processing tool that is capable of etching various types of materials of a substrate, wafer, or semiconductor device. For example, the etch tool108may include a wet etch tool, a dry etch tool, and/or the like. In some implementations, the etch tool108includes a chamber that is filled with an etchant, and the substrate is placed in the chamber for a particular time period to remove particular amounts of one or more portions of the substrate. In some implementations, the etch tool108may etch one or more portions of the substrate using a plasma etch or a plasma-assisted etch, which may involve using an ionized gas to isotopically or directionally etch the one or more portions.

Wafer/die transport tool110includes a mobile robot, a robot arm, a tram or rail car, an overhead hoist transport (OHT) system, an automated material handling system (AMHS), and/or another type of device or system that is used to transport wafers and/or dies between semiconductor processing tools102-108and/or to and from other locations such as a wafer rack, a storage room. In some implementations, wafer/die transport tool110may be a programmed device that is configured to travel a particular path and/or may operate semi-autonomously or autonomously.

The number and arrangement of devices shown inFIG.1are provided as one or more examples. In practice, there may be additional devices, fewer devices, different devices, or differently arranged devices than those shown inFIG.1. Furthermore, two or more devices shown inFIG.1may be implemented within a single device, or a single device shown inFIG.1may be implemented as multiple, distributed devices. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of devices (e.g., one or more devices) of environment100may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of devices of environment100.

FIGS.2A-2Fare diagrams of an example implementation200described herein. The example implementation200may include an example of forming a pattern in a photoresist layer over a substrate using one or more of the photoresist materials described herein.

Turning toFIG.2A, the substrate202may include a semiconductor die substrate, a semiconductor wafer, or another type of substrate in and/or on which semiconductor devices may be formed. In some implementations, the substrate202is formed of silicon (Si), a material including silicon, a III-V compound semiconductor material such as gallium arsenide (GaAs), a silicon on insulator (SOI), or another type of semiconductor material.

A layer204may be formed over and/or on the substrate202. The layer204may be a layer that is to be etched based on a pattern in a photoresist layer. The layer204may be etched to form various types of semiconductor devices, openings, trenches, vias, interconnects, contacts, and/or other types of semiconductor structures. The layer204may include a dielectric layer, a metallization layer, a hard mask layer, and/or another type of semiconductor layer. In some implementations, the layer204is omitted, and the pattern is used to etch the substrate202.

As shown inFIG.2B, one or more layers may be formed over the substrate202in preparation for a first etch operation, such as an antireflective coating (ARC)206and a photoresist layer208. The deposition tool102may deposit the ARC206using various PVD techniques, CVD techniques and/or ALD techniques, such as sputtering, PECVD, HDP-CVD, SACVD, and/or PEALD, among other examples. The deposition tool102may form the ARC206to a thickness of approximately 600 angstroms to approximately 800 angstroms based on one or more etching parameters for etching the layer204such as a target depth and/or a target width for the trenches or openings that are to be etched into the layer204. However, other values for the thickness of the ARC206are within the scope of the present disclosure.

The photoresist layer208may include one or more of the photoresist materials described herein, such as a tin-based photoresist material or a tin oxide-based photoresist material. The photoresist material(s) that is used to form the photoresist layer208may include one or more types of tin (Sn) clusters, and a plurality of different types of carboxylate ligands or a plurality of carbonate ligands. The combination of the tin clusters and the plurality of different types of carboxylate ligands or a plurality of carbonate ligands may reduce, minimize, and/or prevent crystallization of the photoresist material used to form the photoresist layer208, which may increase the coating performance of the photoresist material and may decrease the surface roughness of photoresist layer208. The decreased surface roughness may reduce and/or minimize blurring and broken pattern lines in the pattern that is to be formed in the photoresist layer208, and may enable decreases in half pitch sizes of the pattern that is to be formed in the photoresist layer208, among other examples.

The deposition tool102may deposit the photoresist material using a deposition technique, such as a spin-coating technique, to form the photoresist layer208. The deposition tool102may spin the substrate202at a spin rate in a range of approximately 800 revolutions per minute (RPM) to approximately 2200 RPM and for a time duration in a range of approximately 10 seconds to approximately 1 minute to ensure that the photoresist material is fully distributed across the surface of the ARC206. However, other values for the spin rate and for the time duration are within the scope of the present disclosure.

The deposition tool102may form the photoresist layer208to a thickness of approximately 20 nanometers to approximately 30 nanometers to achieve a low surface roughness, to reduce and/or minimize blurring and broken pattern lines, to achieve a half pitch of the pattern that is to be formed in the photoresist layer208in a range of approximately 35 nanometers to approximately 18 nanometers or lower, and/or to achieve a low radiation dosage energy in a range of approximately 180 milli-Joules per centimeter area to approximately 150 mJ/cm 2 or lower. However, other values for the thickness of the photoresist layer208are in within the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG.2C, a pre-exposure bake operation may be performed on the photoresist layer208. A pre-exposure bake (or soft bake) operation may include a baking operation that is performed prior to exposure of a photoresist layer208on the substrate202to radiation by the exposure tool104. The pre-exposure bake operation may be performed to evaporate a solvent that is mixed with the photoresist material. The photoresist material may be mixed with a solvent, such as 2-methylpentan-1-ol, 4-methylpentan-1-ol, or another photoresist solvent to facilitate the distribution of photoresist material across the substrate202in a spin coating operation to form the photoresist layer208. The pre-exposure bake operation may promote the solidification of the photoresist material into the photoresist layer208.

One or more of the deposition tool102, the exposure tool104, or an integrated tool that includes the deposition tool102and the exposure tool104may perform the pre-exposure bake operation. In some implementations, the pre-exposure bake operation is performed for a time duration that is in a range of approximately 30 seconds to approximately 600 seconds to ensure that the photoresist layer208is fully baked (and the solvent is fully removed) without unduly reducing throughput of photoresist pattern formation. However, other values for the time duration are within the scope of the present disclosure. In some implementations, the pre-exposure bake operation is performed at a temperature that is in a range of approximately 65 degrees Celsius to approximately 200 degrees Celsius to ensure that the solvent is removed from the photoresist material while reducing and/or minimizing metal cluster cross-linking in the photoresist layer208(which might lead to a reduction in resolution between exposed and unexposed portions of the photoresist layer208). However, other values for the temperature are within the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG.2D, an exposure operation may be performed on the photoresist layer208to form exposed portions210and unexposed portions212in the photoresist layer208. The exposure operation may be performed by the exposure tool104. The exposure tool104may include a mask (or reticle)214on which a pattern216is included. The exposure tool104may also include a radiation source that generates radiation218. The exposed portions210are portions of the photoresist layer208that are exposed to the radiation218. The unexposed portions212are portions of the photoresist layer208that are not exposed to the radiation218.

In some implementations, the radiation218is transmitted through the mask214and onto the photoresist layer208based on the pattern216. In some implementations, the radiation218includes EUV radiation, and the radiation218is reflected off of the mask214and onto the photoresist layer208based on the pattern216. The wavelength of the radiation218may be in a range of approximately 0.005 nanometers to approximately 250 nanometers. Accordingly, the radiation218may include e-beam radiation (which may be used to directly expose the photoresist layer208without the use of a mask or reticle), EUV radiation, or deep UV radiation, among other examples.

As shown inFIG.2E, one or more post-exposure bake operations may be performed on the photoresist layer208after exposure of the photoresist layer208to the radiation218. The post-exposure bake operation(s) may be performed to promoted cross-linking of the photoresist material in the exposed portions210of the photoresist layer208, as shown inFIG.2E. In some implementations, a plurality of post-exposure bake operations may be performed such that a first post-exposure bake operation is performed and a second post-exposure bake operation is performed after the first post-exposure bake operation. The temperature of the second post-exposure bake operation may be greater relative to the temperature of the first post-exposure operation. In this way, performing a plurality of post-exposure bake operations enables precise control over the temperature ramping of the post-exposure bake of the photoresist layer208.

One or more of the deposition tool102, the exposure tool104, the developer tool106, or an integrated tool that includes the deposition tool102, the exposure tool104, and/or the developer tool106may perform the post-exposure bake operation(s). In some implementations, each post-exposure bake operation is performed for a time duration that is in a range of approximately 60 seconds to approximately 600 seconds to ensure sufficient cross-linking density in the exposed portions210of the photoresist layer208without causing over cross-linking (which may lead to an increased amount of photoresist residue remaining on the substrate202after a development operation). However, other values for the time duration for each post-exposure bake operation are within the scope of the present disclosure.

In some implementations, a post-exposure bake operation may be performed at a temperature that is in a range of approximately 90 degrees Celsius to approximately 250 degrees Celsius to ensure sufficient cross-linking density in the exposed portions210of the photoresist layer208without causing over cross-linking. In implementations where a plurality of post-exposure bake operations are performed, a first post-exposure bake operation may be performed at a temperature that is in a range of approximately 130 degrees Celsius to approximately 220 degrees Celsius, and a second post-exposure bake operation may be performed at a temperature that is in a range of approximately 160 degrees Celsius to approximately 250 degrees Celsius, to ensure sufficient cross-linking density in the exposed portions210of the photoresist layer208without causing over cross-linking. However, other values for the temperatures of the post-exposure operations are within the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG.2F, a pattern220may be developed in the photoresist layer208after the exposure operation and the one or more post-exposure bake operations. The developer tool106may perform a development operation to develop the pattern220based on the exposed portions210and the unexposed portions212. The time duration of the development operation may range from approximately 30 seconds to approximately 60 seconds. However, other values for the time duration are within the scope of the present disclosure. The photoresist material used for the photoresist layer208may be a metallic negative photoresist material that includes one or more types of tin (Sn) clusters and a plurality of types of organic ligands (e.g., carboxylate ligands) or inorganic ligands (e.g., carbonate ligands). Accordingly, the developer tool106may use a developer (or developer agent) to remove the unexposed portions212, thereby leaving the exposed portions210behind as the pattern220. The developer tool106may use various types of developers, such as 2-Heptanone and/or another type of developer. After the development operation is performed, the pattern220may be used in a subsequent semiconductor processing operation, which may include etching the layer204and/or the substrate202, implanting ions into the layer204and/or the substrate202, patterning the layer204as a hard mask, and/or another type of semiconductor processing operation.

As indicated above,FIGS.2A-2Fare provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard toFIGS.2A-2F.

FIGS.3A and3Bare diagrams of example photoresist material reactions described herein. The example photoresist material reactions may be performed to form photoresist materials that may be used in various semiconductor processing operations described herein, such as the semiconductor processing operations described above in connection withFIGS.2A-2F. In particular, the example photoresist material reactions described in connection withFIGS.3A and3Bmay be performed to form photoresist materials that may be used to form the photoresist layer208. The example photoresist material reactions described in connection withFIGS.3A and3Bmay be performed to form photoresist materials that include a plurality of tin (Sn) clusters bearing two or more types of organic carboxylate ligands. Including two or more types of carboxylate ligands along with the tin clusters may reduce, minimize, and/or prevent crystallization of the photoresist materials, which may increase the coating performance of the photoresist materials and may decrease the surface roughness of the photoresist layer208.

FIG.3Aillustrates an example photoresist material reaction310. As shown inFIG.3A, the example photoresist material reaction310may include a tin (Sn) cluster312, a first carboxylic acid314, and a second carboxylic acid316. The reaction between the tin cluster312, the first carboxylic acid314, and the second carboxylic acid316may include a reflux reaction, in which the constituents (e.g., the tin cluster312, the first carboxylic acid314, and the second carboxylic acid316) are heated for a time duration (e.g., to approximately 110 degrees Celsius or another temperature for approximately 8 hours or another time duration). The heating of the constituents causes the formation of a vapor, which is continually cooled back into liquid form (e.g., as condensation) using a condenser. The condensate of the vapor is returned back to the original reaction chamber to continually undergo the above-described process for the time duration to distill the reaction. The constituents may be refluxed with toluene or one or more other assisting chemicals. The reflux reaction may result in the formation of the photoresist material318illustrated inFIG.3A.

The tin cluster (or tin oxide (SnOx) cluster)312may include a collection of tin (or tin oxide) atoms ranging from 3-tin to 12-tin. For example, the tin cluster312may include a 3-tin cluster, a 4-tin cluster, a 6-tin cluster, a 10-tin cluster, a 12-tin cluster, or another tin cluster. Generally, the lower the cluster number, the smaller the cluster size. As an example, a 4-tin cluster may range from approximately 0.4 nanometers in size to approximately 1 nanometer in size, whereas a 6-tin cluster may range from approximately 0.6 nanometers in size to approximately 1 nanometer in size. The line width roughness (LWR) performance of the photoresist material318may increase the smaller the cluster size of the tin cluster312. However, smaller cluster sizes may provide fewer cross-linking sites and fewer ligand sites, which may result in increased radiation exposure for patterning a photoresist layer formed using the photoresist material318. In some implementations, a single tin cluster number is used to form the photoresist material318. In some implementations, a plurality of different tin cluster numbers are used to form the photoresist material318.

As further shown inFIG.3A, the first carboxylic acid314and the second carboxylic acid316may be different types of carboxylic acids. The first carboxylic acid314and the second carboxylic acid316may include different R substituents—as shown, R1 in the first carboxylic acid314and R2 in the second carboxylic acid316. Examples of carboxylic acids that may be used for the first carboxylic acid314or the second carboxylic acid316include formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and/or another type of carboxylic acid including a carbon atom count ranging from 1 carbon atom (C1) to 20 carbon atoms (C2) or greater. In this way, the reflux reaction results in the photoresist material318including different types of carboxylate ligands (e.g., a first type of carboxylate ligand including the R1 substituent of the first carboxylic acid314and a second type of carboxylate ligand including the R2 substituent of the carboxylic acid316). In addition to decreasing crystallization of the photoresist material318, the different types of carboxylate ligands may enable increased tin density in a range of approximately 2.2 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) to approximately 2.4 mg/m3or greater. The increased tin density increases the EUV absorption capability of the photoresist material318, which enables the photoresist material318to be used with lower radiation exposure doses while still achieving good patterning performance.

FIG.3Billustrates an example photoresist material reaction320. The example photoresist material reaction320may include a precipitation reaction to form a photoresist material including tin (Sn) clusters bearing two or more types of carboxylate ligands. As shown inFIG.3B, the example photoresist material reaction320may include a compound322and a silver (Ag) salt324of a first carboxylic acid. The compound322may include one or more tin (Sn) clusters or tin oxide (SnOx) clusters, such as a 3-tin cluster, a 4-tin cluster, a 6-tin cluster, a 10-tin cluster, a 12-tin cluster, or another tin cluster. The compound322may also include chlorine (Cl), a second carboxylic acid including hydroxyl (—OH), and a substituent R1 including isopropyl or n-butyl, among other examples. The silver salt324may include a substituent R2, which may be different from the second carboxylic acid.

The precipitation reaction may include a reflux, in which the constituents (e.g., the compound322and the silver salt324) are heated for a time duration (e.g., to approximately 110 degrees Celsius or another temperature for approximately 8 hours or another time duration). The heating of the constituents causes the formation of a vapor, which is continually cooled back into liquid form (e.g., as condensation) using a condenser. The condensate of the vapor is returned back to the original reaction chamber to continually undergo the above-described process for the time duration to distill the reaction. The constituents may be refluxed with dichloromethane (DCM), tetrahydrofuran (THF), or one or more other assisting chemicals. The reflux reaction may result in the formation of the photoresist material326illustrated inFIG.3B. During the precipitation reaction, the chlorine of the compound322is exchanged with the carboxylic acid of the silver salt324, thereby forming the photoresist material326. This exchange results in the formation of the precipitant silver chloride (AgCl), which is removed from the reaction as a byproduct.

As indicated above,FIGS.3A and3Bare provided as examples. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard toFIGS.3A and3B.

FIGS.4A-4Care diagrams of example photoresist material reactions described herein. The example photoresist material reactions may be performed to form photoresist materials that may be used in various semiconductor processing operations described herein, such as the semiconductor processing operations described above in connection withFIGS.2A-2F. In particular, the example photoresist material reactions described in connection withFIGS.4A-4Cmay be performed to form photoresist materials that may be used to form the photoresist layer208. The example photoresist material reactions described in connection withFIGS.4A-4Cmay be performed to form photoresist materials that include a plurality of tin oxide (SnOx) clusters bearing inorganic carbonate (CO3) ligands. The carbonate ligands along with the tin oxide clusters may reduce, minimize, and/or prevent crystallization of the photoresist materials, which may increase the coating performance of the photoresist materials and may decrease the surface roughness of the photoresist layer208. Moreover, the carbonate ligands may be unstable during exposure of the photoresist layer208. The instability may enable the use of lower radiation exposure energy levels when pattering the photoresist layer208.

As shown inFIG.4A, an example photoresist material reaction410may include a tin oxide (SnOx) cluster412such as a 12-tin oxide cluster. The example photoresist material reaction410includes a room temperature reaction in which carbon dioxide (CO2) and a dicarboxylic acid such as oxalic acid or another dicarboxylic acid react with the tin oxide cluster412. The reaction results in the formation of a photoresist material414that includes the tin oxide cluster412and a carbonate ligand416.

As shown inFIG.4B, an example photoresist material reaction420may include a compound422and sodium hydroxide (NaOH or lye)424. The compound422may include a tin (Sn) cluster such as a 10-tin cluster. The compound422may also include chlorine (Cl). The example photoresist material reaction420includes a reflux reaction in which carbon dioxide (CO2) and ethanol (EtOH) react with the compound422and the sodium hydroxide424. The reaction results in the exchange of the chlorine in the compound422with the hydroxyl of the sodium hydroxide424, which results in the formation of the precipitant sodium chloride (NaCl). The reflux reaction may be performed at an elevated temperature for a time duration of approximately 12 hours or another time duration. The reflux reaction may result in the formation of a photoresist material426that includes 10-tin oxide clusters (e.g., resulting from the precipitation of the chlorine and the sodium), a carbonate ligand428, and a substituent such as benzyl or another type of substituent.

As shown inFIG.4C, an example photoresist material reaction430may include a compound432and sodium hydroxide (NaOH or lye)434. The compound422may include a tin (Sn) cluster such as a 3-tin cluster. The compound may also include chlorine (Cl). The example photoresist material reaction430includes a reflux reaction in which carbon dioxide (CO2) and ethanol (EtOH) react with the compound432and the sodium hydroxide434. The reaction results in the exchange of the chlorine in the compound432with the hydroxyl of the sodium hydroxide434, which results in the formation of the precipitant sodium chloride (NaCl). The reflux reaction may be performed at an elevated temperature for a time duration of approximately 12 hours or another time duration. The reflux reaction may result in the formation of a photoresist material436that includes 3-tin oxide clusters (e.g., resulting from the precipitation of the chlorine and the sodium), a carbonate ligand438, and a substituent such as benzyl or another type of substituent.

As indicated above,FIGS.4A-4Care provided as examples. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard toFIGS.4A-4C.

FIG.5is a diagram of example components of a device500. In some implementations, the one or more semiconductor processing tools102-108and/or the wafer/die transport tool110may include one or more devices500and/or one or more components of device500. As shown inFIG.5, device500may include a bus510, a processor520, a memory530, a storage component540, an input component550, an output component560, and a communication component570.

Bus510includes a component that enables wired and/or wireless communication among the components of device500. Processor520includes a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a field-programmable gate array, an application-specific integrated circuit, and/or another type of processing component. Processor520is implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. In some implementations, processor520includes one or more processors capable of being programmed to perform a function. Memory530includes a random access memory, a read only memory, and/or another type of memory (e.g., a flash memory, a magnetic memory, and/or an optical memory).

Storage component540stores information and/or software related to the operation of device500. For example, storage component540may include a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disk drive, a solid state disk drive, a compact disc, a digital versatile disc, and/or another type of non-transitory computer-readable medium. Input component550enables device500to receive input, such as user input and/or sensed inputs. For example, input component550may include a touch screen, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a microphone, a switch, a sensor, a global positioning system component, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and/or an actuator. Output component560enables device500to provide output, such as via a display, a speaker, and/or one or more light-emitting diodes. Communication component570enables device500to communicate with other devices, such as via a wired connection and/or a wireless connection. For example, communication component570may include a receiver, a transmitter, a transceiver, a modem, a network interface card, and/or an antenna.

Device500may perform one or more processes described herein. For example, a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory530and/or storage component540) may store a set of instructions (e.g., one or more instructions, code, software code, and/or program code) for execution by processor520. Processor520may execute the set of instructions to perform one or more processes described herein. In some implementations, execution of the set of instructions, by one or more processors520, causes the one or more processors520and/or the device500to perform one or more processes described herein. In some implementations, hardwired circuitry may be used instead of or in combination with the instructions to perform one or more processes described herein. Thus, implementations described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

The number and arrangement of components shown inFIG.5are provided as an example. Device500may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown inFIG.5. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of components (e.g., one or more components) of device500may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components of device500.

FIG.6is a flowchart of an example process600associated with forming a pattern in a photoresist layer. In some implementations, one or more process blocks ofFIG.6may be performed by one or more semiconductor processing tools (e.g., one or more of the semiconductor processing tools102-108). Additionally, or alternatively, one or more process blocks ofFIG.6may be performed by one or more components of device500, such as processor520, memory530, storage component540, input component550, output component560, and/or communication component570.

As shown inFIG.6, process600may include forming a photoresist layer over a substrate (block610). For example, the deposition tool102may form the photoresist layer208over the substrate202, as described above. In some implementations, a photoresist material (e.g., the photoresist material318,326,414,426, and/or436), that is used to form the photoresist layer208, includes a plurality of tin clusters (e.g., tin cluster312, tin clusters included in the compound322, tin oxide cluster412, tin clusters included in the compound422, and/or tin clusters included in the compound432) and at least one of a plurality of different types of organic ligands (e.g., carboxyl ligands R1 and/or R2) or a plurality of inorganic ligands (e.g., e.g., carbonate ligands416,428, and/or438).

As further shown inFIG.6, process600may include exposing the photoresist layer to radiation to form a pattern in the photoresist layer (block620). For example, the exposure tool104may expose the photoresist layer to the radiation218to form the pattern220in the photoresist layer, as described above.

As further shown inFIG.6, process600may include developing the pattern after exposing the photoresist layer to the radiation (block630). For example, the developer tool106may develop the pattern after exposing the photoresist layer to the radiation, as described above.

In a first implementation, the radiation includes EUV radiation. In a second implementation, alone or in combination with the first implementation, process600includes performing (e.g., by the deposition tool102, the exposure tool104, and/or another semiconductor processing tool), prior to exposing the photoresist layer208to the radiation218, a pre-exposure bake of the photoresist layer208for a duration that is in a range of approximately seconds to approximately 600 seconds. In a third implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second implementations, process600includes performing (e.g., by the deposition tool102, the exposure tool104, and/or another semiconductor processing tool), prior to exposing the photoresist layer208to the radiation218, a pre-exposure bake of the photoresist layer208at a temperature that is in a range of approximately 65 degrees Celsius to approximately 200 degrees Celsius.

In a fourth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third implementations, process600includes performing (e.g., by the exposure tool104, the developer tool106, and/or another semiconductor processing tool), after exposing the photoresist layer208to the radiation218and prior to developing the pattern, a post-exposure bake of the photoresist layer208for a duration that is in a range of approximately 60 seconds to approximately 600 seconds. In a fifth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth implementations, process600includes performing (e.g., by the exposure tool104, the developer tool106, and/or another semiconductor processing tool), after exposing the photoresist layer208to the radiation218and prior to developing the pattern, a post-exposure bake of the photoresist layer208at a temperature that is in a range of approximately 90 degrees Celsius to approximately 250 degrees Celsius.

In a sixth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth implementations, process600includes performing (e.g., by the exposure tool104, the developer tool106, and/or another semiconductor processing tool) a first post-exposure bake of the photoresist layer208after exposing the photoresist layer208to the radiation218and prior to developing the pattern220, and performing (e.g., by the exposure tool104, the developer tool106, and/or another semiconductor processing tool) a second post-exposure bake of the photoresist layer208after the first post-exposure bake. In a seventh implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth implementations, a temperature of the second post-exposure bake is greater relative to a temperature of the first post-exposure bake.

In an eighth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh implementations, a temperature of the first post-exposure bake is in a range of approximately 130 degrees Celsius to approximately 220 degrees Celsius, and a temperature of the second post-exposure bake is in a range of approximately 160 degrees Celsius to approximately 250 degrees Celsius. In a ninth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth implementations, forming the photoresist layer208includes forming the photoresist layer208to a thickness in a range of approximately 20 nanometers to approximately 40 nanometers.

In a tenth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth implementations, a wavelength of the radiation218is in a range of approximately 0.005 nanometers to approximately 250 nanometers. In an eleventh implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through tenth implementations, the plurality of different types of organic ligands include a plurality of different types of carboxylic acids. In a twelfth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eleventh implementations, the plurality of inorganic ligands include a plurality of carbonate ligands.

AlthoughFIG.6shows example blocks of process600, in some implementations, process600may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted inFIG.6. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process600may be performed in parallel.

In this way, photoresist materials described herein may include various types of tin (Sn) clusters having one or more types of ligands. As an example, a photoresist material described herein may include tin clusters bearing two or more different types of carboxylate ligands. As another example, a photoresist material described herein may include tin oxide clusters that include carbonate ligands. The two or more different types of carboxylate ligands and the carbonate ligands may reduce, minimize, and/or prevent crystallization of the photoresist materials described herein, which may increase the coating performance of the photoresist materials and may decrease the surface roughness of photoresist layers formed using the photoresist materials described herein.

As described in greater detail above, some implementations described herein provide a method. The method includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate. A photoresist material, that is used to form the photoresist layer, includes a plurality of tin clusters and at least one of a plurality of different types of organic ligands or a plurality of inorganic ligands. The method includes exposing the photoresist layer to radiation to form a pattern in the photoresist layer. The method includes developing the pattern after exposing the photoresist layer to the radiation.

As described in greater detail above, some implementations described herein provide an EUV photoresist material. The EUV photoresist material includes a plurality of tin clusters. The EUV photoresist material includes a plurality of carboxylate ligands of the plurality of tin clusters, where the plurality of carboxylate ligands include two or more different types of carboxylic acids.

As described in greater detail above, some implementations described herein provide EUV photoresist material. The EUV photoresist material includes a plurality of tin oxide clusters. The EUV photoresist material includes a plurality of carbonate ligands of the plurality of tin oxide clusters.