A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first protective layer over an edge portion of a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate. A metal-containing photoresist layer is formed over the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The first protective layer is removed, and the metal-containing photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation. A second protective layer is formed over the edge portion of the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The selectively exposed photoresist layer is developed to form a patterned photoresist layer, and the second protective layer is removed.

A method of processing a substrate that includes receiving a patterned photoresist formed over a substrate, the patterned photoresist defining initial openings, each of the initial openings including a first side and an opposite second side along a first direction; depositing a mask material preferentially on the first side within the initial openings using an oblique deposition process performed at a first angle inclined from the first side; and removing a portion of the patterned photoresist using an oblique etch process performed at a second angle inclined from the second side, the mask material and a remaining portion of the patterned photoresist defining final openings.

The embodiments of the disclosure provide a patterning method, which includes the following processes. A target layer is formed on a substrate. A hard mask layer is formed over the target layer. A first patterning process is performed on the hard mask layer by using a photomask having a first pattern with a first pitch. The photomask is shifted along a first direction by a first distance. A second patterning process is performed on the hard mask layer by using the photomask that has been shifted, so as to form a patterned hard mask. The target layer is patterned using the patterned hard mask to form a patterned target layer. The target layer has a second pattern with a second pitch less than the first pitch.

Provided is a film for application to a 3D sample, the film including a photoresist layer that has alignment or direction marks thereon. After the fine pattern of the photoresist layer or coat is exposed, the photoresist layer is applied to a desired position of the 3D sample by aligning the alignment or direction marks of the film with alignment or direction marks on the 3D sample. This allows for transfer of an appropriate fine pattern. Part or all of the thickness or area of the photoresist layer is developed to form projections or depressions in the photoresist layer before the film is applied to the 3D sample.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is as below. An exposed photoresist layer is developed using a developer supplied by a developer supplying unit. An ammonia gas by-product of the developer is discharged through a gas outlet of the developer supplying unit into a treating tool. The ammonia gas by-product is retained in the treating tool. A concentration of the ammonia gas by-product is monitored.

In a method of coating a photo resist over a wafer, dispensing the photo resist from a nozzle over the wafer is started while rotating the wafer, and dispensing the photo resist is stopped while rotating the wafer. After starting and before stopping the dispensing the photo resist, a wafer rotation speed is changed at least 4 times. During dispensing, an arm holding the nozzle may move horizontally. A tip end of the nozzle may be located at a height of 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm from the wafer.

A method of cutting fins includes the following steps. A photomask including a snake-shape pattern is provided. A photoresist layer is formed over fins on a substrate. A photoresist pattern in the photoresist layer corresponding to the snake-shape pattern is formed by exposing and developing. The fins are cut by transferring the photoresist pattern and etching cut parts of the fins.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a lithography apparatus, patterning system, and method of patterning a layered structure. The patterning system includes an image formation device and a reactive layer. The patterning system allows for creating lithography patterns in a single operation. The lithography apparatus includes the patterning system and an optical system. The lithography apparatus uses a plurality of wavelengths of light, along with the image formation device, to create a plurality of color patterns on the reactive layer. The method of patterning includes exposing the reactive layer to a plurality of wavelengths of light. The light reacts differently with different regions of the reactive layer, depending on the wavelength of light emitted onto the different regions. The method and apparatuses disclosed herein require only one image formation device and one lithography operation.

A polypeptide, a photoresist composition including the polypeptide, a photoresist including the polypeptide, and a method of forming patterns using the photoresist composition.

A substrate processing method includes performing a developing processing on a substrate. The developing processing includes supplying a developing liquid on a surface of the substrate to form a liquid film of the developing liquid on the surface of the substrate; maintaining the liquid film on the surface such that development progresses; and performing, during the maintaining of the liquid film, a first processing of supplying a gas to an inner region located at an inner side than a peripheral region on the surface of the substrate and a second processing of supplying an adjusting liquid configured to suppress progress of the development on the peripheral region to adjust a degree of the development between the peripheral region and the inner region. The second processing is started after a start time of the first processing, and the second processing is ended after an end time of the first processing.