Radiation-Sensitive Composition for High-Resolution Semiconductor Patterning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radiation-sensitive compositions used in microfabrication lack sufficient resolution and sensitivity, particularly in forming patterns for semiconductor devices, due to limitations in acid generation and metal oxide components.

Innovation Solution

A radiation-sensitive composition comprising metal oxide particles with specific metal atoms (zinc, boron, aluminum, gallium, thallium, germanium, antimony, bismuth, or tellurium) as the principal component, combined with a radiation-sensitive acid generator and an organic solvent, which generates acids with a van der Waals volume of at least 2.0×10−28 m3, enhancing sensitivity and resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional radiation-sensitive compositions are used, then the composition can be applied to substrates, but the resolution and sensitivity of formed patterns are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern resolutionVSAvoidpattern sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the composition by incorporating metal oxide particles with specific properties (zinc, boron, aluminum, gallium, thallium, germanium, antimony, bismuth, or tellurium) and acid generators that produce acids with van der Waals volumes of at least 2.0×10^-28 m³. This parameter optimization enables superior pattern resolution and sensitivity simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite material system combining metal oxide particles, acid generators, and organic solvents. This composite approach allows the composition to achieve both high resolution and high sensitivity by leveraging the complementary properties of each component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the acid generator produces smaller acids, then the composition may be more stable, but the sensitivity and resolution of patterns deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomposition stabilityVSAvoidpattern resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies the van der Waals volume of generated acids (at least 2.0×10^-28 m³) as a critical parameter that balances composition stability with pattern formation quality. This specific volume threshold ensures both stability and high-resolution patterning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional metal oxide components are used, then the composition is easier to manufacture, but the etching resistance and pattern quality are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomposition fabricationVSAvoidpattern quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies particular metal elements (zinc, boron, aluminum, gallium, thallium, germanium, antimony, bismuth, or tellurium) in the metal oxide particles, optimizing the compositional parameters to achieve both manufacturability and superior pattern quality with enhanced etching resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition enables the formation of patterns with superior resolution and sensitivity, suitable for future semiconductor device processing, by promoting the release of secondary electrons and inhibiting unwanted chemical reactions, thus improving etching resistance and pattern quality.

Implementation Method 1

generate acids in regions by irradiation with: extreme ultraviolet rays such as an ArF excimer laser beam and a KrF excimer laser beam; electromagnetic waves such as extreme ultraviolet ray (EUV); charged particle rays such as an electron beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotochemical reaction: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

making a difference in a rate of dissolution in a developer solution between the light-exposed regions and light-unexposed regions, through a chemical reaction in which the acid acts as a catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 3

promoting the release of secondary electrons and inhibiting unwanted chemical reactions, thus improving etching resistance and pattern quality

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSecondary electron emission: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 4

A van der Waals volume of an acid generated from the radiation-sensitive acid generator is no less than 2.0×10−28 m3

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVan der Waals force: Van der Waals Force

Data Source

PatentUS10108088B2Radiation-sensitive composition and pattern-forming method
Publication Date: 2018.10.23 JSR CORPORATION

AI summary

A radiation-sensitive composition includes particles including a metal oxide as a principal component, a radiation-sensitive acid generator, and an organic solvent. A metal atom constituting the metal oxide includes a first metal atom that is a zinc atom, a boron atom, an aluminum atom, a gallium atom, a thallium atom, a germanium atom, an antimony atom, a bismuth atom, a tellurium atom, or a combination thereof. A van der Waals volume of an acid generated from the radiation-sensitive acid generator is no less than 2.0×10−28 m3. A percentage content of the first metal atom with respect to total metal atoms in the radiation-sensitive composition is no less than 50 atomic %.