Patent ID: 6878508

Claim:
A resist patterning process, comprising: (a) applying a resist composition onto a substrate to form a resist film thereon, said resist composition comprising a base resin in the form of a polymer or copolymer comprising structural units of the following general formula [I]: wherein X 1 and X 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —NR—, —PR—, and —CR 2 —, R is hydrogen or an alkyl group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and m is 0 or an integer of 1 to 3, in a backbone and partially having acid labile groups on side chains and a photoacid generator capable of generating acid upon exposure to radiation, (b) prebaking the resist film, (c) exposing the prebaked resist film to a pattern of radiation, (d) post-exposure baking the exposed resist film, (e) developing the post-exposure baked resist film to form a resist pattern, and (f) post baking the resist pattern for causing thermal flow thereto.