A method for preparing a semiconductor device structure includes forming a target layer over a semiconductor substrate, and forming a first energy-sensitive pattern over the target layer. The method also includes performing an energy treating process to transform an upper portion of the first energy-sensitive pattern into a treated portion, forming a lining layer covering the first energy-sensitive pattern, and forming a second energy-sensitive pattern over the lining layer. The first energy-sensitive pattern and the second energy-sensitive pattern are staggered. The method further includes performing an etching process to form a first opening and a second opening in the target layer. The first opening and the second opening have different depths.

A method for preparing a semiconductor device structure with features at different levels. The method includes forming a target layer over a semiconductor substrate; forming a plurality of first energy-sensitive patterns over the target layer; performing an energy treating process to transform at least a portion of each of the first energy-sensitive patterns into a first treated portion; forming a lining layer conformally covering the first energy-sensitive patterns, wherein a first opening is formed over the lining layer and between the first energy-sensitive patterns; filling the first opening with a second energy-sensitive pattern; and performing an etching process to form a plurality of second openings and a third opening in the target layer, wherein the third opening is between the second openings, and the second openings and the third opening have different depths.

In an embodiment, a method includes: receiving, within a processing chamber, a wafer with a photoresist mask above a metal layer, wherein the processing chamber is connected to a gas source; applying an etchant configured to etch the metal layer in accordance with the photoresist mask within the processing chamber; and applying gas from the gas source to perform plasma ashing in the processing chamber.

The present disclosure provides a coating method and a coating system. The coating method comprises: providing a substrate, and dropping a first liquid onto the substrate; dropping, onto the first liquid, a second liquid which is immiscible with the first liquid and has a density greater than that of the first liquid; and rotating the substrate, such that the first liquid is diffused on the surface of the substrate, and the second liquid is diffused on the surface of the first liquid.

Disclosed herein is a method for forming metal-oxides in the photoresist to improve profile control. The method includes infiltrating a metal oxide in a photoresist layer by pressurizing a methyl-containing material in a processing environment proximate a film stack. The film stack includes the photoresist layer, the photoresist layer being disposed on top of and in contact with an underlayer. The underlayer disposed on top of a substrate. The method includes etching the film stack including the photoresist layer implanted with the metal oxide.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes depositing a photoresist material over a substrate. The substrate is rotated to spread the photoresist material. A gas is blown to an edge of the substrate when rotating the substrate. The rotating of the substrate is stopped. The blowing of the gas is stopped.

A substrate is provided with a patterned layer, for example, a photo resist layer, which may exhibit line roughness. In one exemplary embodiment, the patterned layer may be an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photo resist layer. In one method, selective deposition of additional material is provided on the EUV photo resist layer after patterning to provide improved roughness and lithographic structure height to allow for more process margin when transferring the pattern to a layer underlying the photo resist. The additional material is deposited selectively thicker in areas above the photo resist than in areas where the photo resist is not present, such as exposed areas between the photo resist pattern. Pattern transfer to a layer underlying the photo resist may then occur (for example via an etch) while the patterned photo resist and additional material above the photo resist may collectively operate as an etch mask.

A protective film forming composition which has a good mask (protection) function against a wet etching liquid and a high dry etching rate during processing of a semiconductor substrate and also has good coverage even for a stepped substrate, and from which a flat film can be formed due to a small difference in film thickness after being embedded; a protective film produced using the composition; a substrate with a resist pattern; and a method for producing a semiconductor device. This composition contains: (A) a compound having three or more carboxyl groups; (B) a resin or a monomer; and a solvent. The compound (A) having three or more carboxyl groups preferably has a ring structure. This ring structure is preferably selected from among an aromatic ring having 6-40 carbon atoms, an aliphatic ring having 3-10 carbon atoms, and a heterocyclic ring.

A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist over a target layer, where the target layer includes a substrate. The photoresist is patterned to form a patterned photoresist. Scum remains between portions of the patterned photoresist. The substrate is tilted relative to a direction of propagation of an ion beam. An ion treatment is performed on the scum. A pattern of the patterned photoresist is transferred to the target layer.

A plasma processing method includes: providing a substrate including: (a) an etching target film; (b) a photoresist film on an upper surface of the etching target film, having a side surface that defines at least one opening in the upper surface of the etching target film; and (c) a first film including a first portion on an upper surface of the photoresist film and second portion on the side surface of the photoresist film, the first portion having a film thickness larger than that of the second portion; and trimming at least a part of the side surface of the photoresist film and at least a part of the second portion of the first film.