Patent ID: 7329480

Claim:
A method for forming a pattern, characterized in that the method comprises: a first step of applying to a substrate a radiation-sensitive negative-type resist composition for pattern formation, and the radiation-sensitive negative-type resist composition for pattern formation contains an epoxy resin, a radiation-sensitive cationic polymerization initiator, and a solvent for dissolving the epoxy resin therein, characterized in that the resist composition, through drying, forms a resist film having a softening point falling within a range of 30 to 120° C. and that the epoxy resin is represented by formula (1): wherein R 1 represents a moiety derived from an organic compound having k active hydrogen atoms (k represents an integer of 1 to 100); each of n 1 , n 2 , through n k represents 0 or an integer of 1 to 100; the sum of n 1 , n 2 , through n k falls within a range of 1 to 100; and each of “A”s, may be identical to or different from each other, represents an oxycyclohexane skeleton represented by formula (2): wherein X represents any of groups represented by formulas (3) to (5): (wherein R 2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an acyl group), and at least two groups represented by formula (3) are contained in one molecule of the epoxy resin)); a second step of drying the substrate coated with the radiation-sensitive negative-type resist composition for pattern formation, to thereby form a resist film which has a thickness of at least 50 μm; a third step of selectively exposing the formed resist film to an active energy beam according to a desired pattern; a fourth step of heating the exposed resist film so as to enhance a contrast of a pattern to be formed; and a fifth step of developing the heated resist film, to thereby remove the unexposed area of the resist film through dissolution, thereby forming a patterned layer.