Patent ID: 8877430

Claim:
A method of forming a microelectronic structure, said method comprising: (a) providing a microelectronic substrate having a surface; (b) forming a developer-soluble protective layer on said surface; (c) forming a carbon-rich layer adjacent said developer-soluble protective layer; (d) forming a pattern transfer layer on said carbon-rich layer; (e) forming an imaging layer on said pattern transfer layer; (f) patterning said imaging layer to yield a patterned imaging layer comprising a pattern; said method further comprising: transferring said pattern into said pattern transfer layer and into said carbon-rich layer using etching, wherein etching of said carbon-rich layer yields uncovered portions of said developer-soluble protective layer, and wherein said developer-soluble protective layer protects said substrate from etch damage; and transferring said pattern into said developer-soluble protective layer by contacting said uncovered portions with a developer or solvent so as to remove said uncovered portions.