Patent ID: 10901317

Abstract:
Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithographic patterning methods are provided which implement a surface-hardened EUV resist mask to pattern features in multiple layers. A layer of EUV resist material is formed on a substrate. An EUV resist mask is formed by exposing and developing the layer of EUV resist material. A surface-hardened EUV resist mask is formed by applying a surface treatment to an upper surface of the EUV resist mask to form an etch-resistant layer that is embedded in the upper surface of the EUV resist mask. At least one layer of the substrate is patterned using the surface-hardened EUV resist mask. The surface treatment can be implemented using a neutral atom beam (NAB) process which is configured to implant a chemical or metallic species into the upper surface of the EUV resist mask to form the etch-resistant layer.