Patent ID: 8828493

Claim:
A method of forming a layered structure comprising a self-assembled material, the method comprising: disposing a photoresist layer comprising a non-crosslinking, positive-tone photoresist on a surface of a substrate; optionally baking the photoresist layer; pattern-wise exposing the photoresist layer to first radiation; optionally baking the exposed photoresist layer; developing the exposed photoresist layer with an aqueous alkaline developer to form an initial patterned photoresist layer comprising non-exposed photoresist; treating the initial patterned photoresist layer to a photochemical treatment and a thermal treatment, wherein the thermal treatment is performed at a temperature of 165° C. to 200° C. for at least 1 sec, thereby forming a treated patterned photoresist layer comprising non-crosslinked treated photoresist, wherein i) the treated photoresist is insoluble in a given organic solvent suitable for casting a given material capable of self-assembly, ii) the treated photoresist is soluble in the aqueous alkaline developer and/or a second organic solvent, and iii) the given organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of monoalcohols, glycols, glycol mono ethers, glycol mono ether esters, and combinations thereof; casting a solution comprising the given material capable of self-assembly dissolved in the given organic solvent on the treated patterned photoresist layer, and removing the given organic solvent; and allowing the casted given material to self-assemble while optionally heating and/or annealing the casted material, thereby forming the layered structure comprising the self-assembled material.