A nanoscale sensor, and method to manufacture the sensor. The sensor is designed to measure the change in free carriers from analyte detection by measuring current with an applied bias across the nano-wire(s) in a tested aqueous solution. The measured current is compared to known calibrated concentrations of the tested characteristic bacterium, virus, chemical, gas, or some combination thereof and a value for the tested aqueous solution. Temperature, pH and salinity measuring circuits are included to enable environmental correction.

In method of patterning a substrate, a first relief pattern is formed based on a first layer deposited over a substrate. Openings in the first relief pattern are filled with a reversal material. The first relief pattern is then removed from the substrate and the reversal material remains on the substrate to define a second relief pattern. A fill material is deposited over the substrate that is in contact with the second relief pattern, and sensitive to a photo-acid generated from a photo-acid generator in the second relief pattern. Selected portions of the second relief pattern are exposed to a first actinic radiation to generate the photo-acid in the selected portions of the second relief pattern. The photo-acid are driven from the selected portions of the second relief pattern into portions of the fill material so that the portions of the fill material to become soluble to a predetermined developer.

A pattern-forming method includes forming a base pattern including a first polymer on a front face side. A composition is applied on at least a lateral face of the base pattern. The composition includes at least one polymer that is capable of interacting with the first polymer. The composition is heated such that a portion of the at least one polymer interacts with the first polymer and that a coating film is formed on the lateral face of the base pattern. Another portion of the at least one polymer not having interacted with the first polymer is removed to form a resist pattern. The base pattern in a planar view has a shape with a long axis and a short axis, and a ratio of lengths of the long axis to the short axis is no less than 1.5 and no greater than 10.

Photodefinable alignment layers for chemical assisted patterning and approaches for forming photodefinable alignment layers for chemical assisted patterning are described. An embodiment of the invention may include disposing a chemically amplified resist (CAR) material over a hardmask that includes a switch component. The CAR material may then be exposed to form exposed resist portions. The exposure may produces acid in the exposed portions of the CAR material that interact with the switch component to form modified regions of the hardmask material below the exposed resist portions.

Methods of improving adhesion between a photoresist and conductive or insulating structures. The method comprises forming a slot through at least a portion of alternating conductive structures and insulating structures on a substrate. Portions of the conductive structures or of the insulating structures are removed to form recesses in the conductive structures or in the insulating structures. A photoresist is formed over the alternating conductive structures and insulating structures and within the slot. Methods of improving adhesion between a photoresist and a spin-on dielectric material are also disclosed, as well as methods of forming a staircase structure.

A method of forming a pattern of a semiconductor device includes: forming a first mask pattern comprising first mask lines extending in a first direction in a cell region and second mask lines extending in the first direction in a first core region, the first mask pattern covering a second core region; forming, on the first mask pattern, a second mask pattern comprising third mask lines extending in a second direction in the cell region and fourth mask lines extending in the second direction in the second core region, the second mask pattern covering the first core region; and forming a third mask pattern by using the second mask pattern, the third mask pattern comprising island-type masks in the cell region, fifth mask lines extending in the first direction in the first core region, and sixth mask lines extending in the second direction in the second core region.

Exemplary methods of patterning a device layer are described, including operations of patterning a protector layer and forming a first opening in a first patterning layer to expose a first portion of the protector layer and a first portion of the hard mask layer, which are then are exposed to a first etch to form a first opening in the first portion of the hard mask layer. A second opening is formed in a second patterning layer to expose a second portion of the protector layer and a second portion of the hard mask layer. The second portion of the protector layer and the second portion of the hard mask layer are exposed to an etch to form a second opening in the second portion of the hard mask layer. Exposed portions of the device layer are then etched through the first opening and the second opening.

A method for critical dimension control in which a substrate is received having an underlying layer and a patterned layer formed on the underlying layer, the patterned layer including radiation-sensitive material and a pattern of varying elevation with a first critical dimension. The method further includes applying an overcoat layer over the patterned layer, the overcoat layer containing a photo agent selected from a photosensitizer generator compound, a photosensitizer compound, a photoacid generator compound, a photoactive agent, an acid-containing compound, or a combination of two or more thereof. The overcoat layer is then exposed to electromagnetic radiation, wherein the dose of electromagnetic radiation applied to different regions of the substrate is varied, and then the overcoat layer and patterned layer are heated. The method further includes developing the overcoat layer and the patterned layer to alter the first critical dimension of the patterned layer to a second critical dimension.

A resist underlayer film material contains (A) a resin having a compound shown in the following general formula (1A), and (B) an organic solvent. Mw/Mn of the compound shown in the general formula (1A) is 1.00≤Mw/Mn≤1.25. This provides: a resist underlayer film material having all of favorable dry etching resistance, heat resistance to 500° C. or higher, and high filling and planarizing properties; and methods for forming a resist underlayer film and patterning processes which use the material.

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Photolithography overlay errors are a source of patterning defects, which contribute to low wafer yield. An interconnect formation process that employs a patterning photolithography/etch process with self-aligned interconnects is disclosed herein. The interconnection formation process, among other things, improves a photolithography overlay (OVL) margin since alignment is accomplished on a wider pattern. In addition, the patterning photolithography/etch process supports multi-metal gap fill and low-k dielectric formation with voids.