Patent ID: 8440385

Claim:
A positive resist composition comprising a base component (A′) which exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution under the action of acid and generates acid upon exposure, the base component (A′) comprising a resin component (A1) comprised of a structural unit (a0-1) represented by general formula (a0-1) shown below, a structural unit (a0-2) which generates acid upon exposure and a structural unit (a1) derived from an acrylate ester containing an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group: wherein R 1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a halogenated alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms; R 2 represents a divalent linking group; and R 3 represents a cyclic group containing —SO 2 — within the ring skeleton thereof.