Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus and methods for verification and re-use of process fluids. The apparatus generally includes a tool for performing lithography, and a recirculation path coupled to the tool. The recirculation path generally includes a collection unit coupled at first end to a first end of the tool, and a probe coupled at a first end to a second end of the collection unit, the probe for determining one or more characteristics of a fluid flowing from the tool. The recirculation path of the apparatus further generally includes a purification unit coupled at a first end to a third end of the collection unit, the purification unit further coupled at a second end to a second end of the probe, the purification unit for changing a characteristic of the fluid.

In one preferred embodiment, polymers are provided that comprise a structure of the following Formula (I): ##STR00001##
Photoresists that comprises such polymers also are provided.

A resin composition includes a resin A, a resin C, and a solvent. The resin A includes a sulfonic-acid-group-containing structural unit in an amount exceeding 5 mol % with respect to total structural units included in the resin A. The resin A has a content of a fluorine atom of 30 mass % or less with respect to a total mass of the resin A. The resin C includes a fluorine atom in a larger content per unit mass than the content of a fluorine atom per unit mass in the resin A. A content of the resin A in the resin composition is lower than a content of the resin C in the resin composition in terms of mass.

An onium salt consisting of an anion containing an iodized aromatic group and two sulfonate groups and a sulfonium or iodonium cation is a useful photoacid generator. A chemically amplified resist composition comprising the photoacid generator forms a pattern of rectangular profile with a good balance of sensitivity, CDU, LWR, MEF, and DOF when it is processed by photolithography using high-energy radiation.

A method and apparatus for performing post-exposure bake cooling operations is described herein. The method begins by post exposure baking a substrate disposed on heated substrate support in a process chamber, the process chamber having a showerhead. The heated substrate support is moved to increase a distance between the heated substrate support and a cooled plate of the showerhead. The substrate is separated from the heated substrate support using a substrate lifting device. The substrate is moved into a close proximity to the cooled showerhead. The substrate is cooled until the substrate is less than about 70 degrees Celsius. The substrate is spaced away from the cooled showerhead using the substrate lifting device and aligning the substrate with a substrate transfer passage of the processing chamber for removal by a robot.

An actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition contains a compound that generates an acid upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation and a resin whose polarity increases by the action of an acid, in which the compound is represented by a specific General Formula (X).

A method of performing a lithography process includes providing a test pattern. The test pattern includes a first set of lines arranged at a first pitch, a second set of lines arranged at the first pitch, and further includes at least one reference line between the first set of lines and the second set of lines. The test pattern is exposed with a radiation source providing an asymmetric, monopole illumination profile to form a test pattern structure on a substrate. The test pattern structure is then measured and a measured distance correlated to an offset of a lithography parameter. A lithography process is adjusted based on the offset of the lithography parameter.

A wavelength control method of a laser apparatus includes sequentially obtaining target wavelength data of a pulse laser beam, sequentially saving the target wavelength data, sequentially measuring a wavelength of the pulse laser beam to obtain a measured wavelength, calculating a wavelength deviation using the measured wavelength and the target wavelength data at a time before a time when the measured wavelength is obtained, and feedback-controlling the wavelength of the pulse laser beam using the wavelength deviation.

A resist composition comprising a base polymer and a sulfonium salt of a carboxylic acid having an iodine or bromine-substituted hydrocarbyl group offers a high sensitivity, minimal LWR and improved CDU, independent of whether it is of positive or negative tone.

Photoresist compositions comprise: an acid-sensitive polymer comprising a repeating unit comprising an ester acetal group, wherein the acid-sensitive polymer is free of tertiary alkyl ester groups and is substantially free of aromatic groups; a material comprising a base-labile group; a photoacid generator compound that is free of fluorine which generates an acid having a pKa of -2 or greater, and wherein the photoresist composition is free of photoacid generators that generate an acid having a pKa of less than -2; and a solvent.. The photoresist compositions and pattern formation methods using the photoresist compositions find particular use in the formation of fine lithographic patterns in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.