Patent ID: 7851139

Claim:
A pattern forming method comprising: forming a resist layer including photosensitizer whose thermal decomposition temperature is higher than 120° C., on a semiconductor substrate; selectively exposing the resist layer; developing the selectively exposed resist layer; decomposing the photosensitizer in the resist layer by heating the resist layer at a temperature equal to or higher than the thermal decomposition temperature of the photosensitizer and then removing the photosensitizer or acid generated from the decomposed photosensitizer, after the development of the resist layer and before an application of a shrink material on the developed resist layer; applying the shrink material on the developed resist layer, after the decomposition of the photosensitizer in the resist layer and the removal of the photosensitizer or the acid generated from the decomposed photosensitizer; performing a heating process for the resist layer on which the shrink material is applied; and removing a part of the heat-processed shrink material.