Embodiments of improved process flows and methods are provided to pattern a semiconductor substrate using direct self-assembly (DSA) of metalate salt ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) having metalate anions. After self-assembly of the metalate salt ILCs into ordered structures, an oxidation process is used to remove the organic components of the ordered structures and convert the metalate anions into metal oxide patterns. In addition to providing a robust metal oxide pattern, which can be transferred to the underlying substrate, the process flows and methods disclosed herein enable ILCs to be used as pitch multipliers in advanced patterning techniques.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes bonding a first wafer with a second wafer. The second wafer includes a substrate, an isolation structure in the substrate, a transistor on the substrate, and a interconnect structure over the second transistor. A first etching process is performed to form a first via opening and a second via opening in the substrate. The second via opening extends to the isolation structure, and the second via opening is deeper than the first via opening. A second etching process is performed such that the first via opening exposes the substrate. A third etching process is performed such that the first via opening and the second via opening exposes the interconnect structure, and the second via opening penetrates the isolation structure. A first via is formed in the first via opening and a second via is formed in the second via opening.

A resist underlayer film forming composition which has high storage stability, has a low film curing start temperature, can cause the generation of a sublimated product in a reduced amount, and enables the formation of a film that is rarely eluted into a photoresist solvent; a method for forming a resist pattern using the resist underlayer film forming composition; and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The resist underlayer film forming composition includes a crosslinkable resin, a crosslinking agent, a crosslinking catalyst represented by formula (I) and a solvent. (A-SO.sub.3).sup.(BH).sup.+[wherein A represents a linear, branched or cyclic saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group which may be substituted, an aryl group which may be substituted by a group other than a hydroxy group, or a heteroaryl group which may be substituted; and B represents a base having a pKa value of 6.5 to 9.5.]

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure is provided. A first mask layer and a photoresist layer are formed over a substrate, wherein photosensitivities of the photoresist layer and the first mask layer are different. A first and a second opening are formed, wherein the first mask layer overlapped by the second opening is degraded to form a second mask layer. The substrate exposed by the first opening is partially removed to form a first recess of the substrate. The second mask layer is removed to form a third opening through the first mask layer. A first dielectric layer is formed, wherein the first dielectric layer fills the first recess and the third opening and covers the substrate overlapped by the third opening. A patterning operation is performed on the substrate using the first dielectric layer as a mask, and a second recess of the substrate is thereby formed.

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of semiconductors, and provides a method of processing a photoresist layer, and a photoresist layer. The method of processing a photoresist layer includes: forming a photoresist layer on a target layer, where the photoresist layer includes a first part close to the target layer and a second part away from the target layer; performing first exposure processing on the photoresist layer, and forming an exposure image in the first part of the photoresist layer; processing the second part of the photoresist layer by using a first process, such that the second part forms a third part, where a photosensitivity of the third part is higher than that of the first part; and stripping the third part.

A pellicle including: a pellicle film including a carbon-based film having a carbon content rate of 40 mass % or more; a support frame that supports the pellicle film; and an adhesive layer containing an adhesive, the pellicle having the total amount of aqueous outgas of 5.010.sup.4 Pa.Math.L/sec or less in an atmosphere of 23 C. and 110.sup.3 Pa or less.

Provided is a substrate processing apparatus including an index module including a load port in which a substrate is accommodated, a first transfer module and a second transfer module for loading and unloading the substrate, and a processing module that is connected to the index module and includes a plurality of process chambers that process the substrate, wherein one of the plurality of process chambers includes a light processing chamber configured to irradiate light to a photoresist pattern of the substrate, the first transfer module transfers the substrate between the index module and the processing module, the second transfer module transfers the substrate between the plurality of process chambers in the processing module, the first transfer module includes a first hand unit and a second hand unit, and the second transfer module includes a third hand unit and a fourth hand unit.

A composition for forming a resist underlayer film that enables the formation of a desired resist pattern; and a method for producing a resist pattern and a method for producing a semiconductor device, each of which uses the composition for forming a resist underlayer film. (In formula (1), A.sup.1, A.sup.2, A.sup.3, A.sup.4, A.sup.5, and A.sup.6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, methyl group, or ethyl group; Q.sup.1 represents a divalent organic group; R1 represents a tetravalent organic group; and R.sup.2 represents an alkenyl group or alkynyl group having 2-10 carbon atoms.) The film-forming composition contains a solvent and a polymer that has a unit structure given by formula (1).

A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes depositing a first bilayer structure over a substrate, in which the first bilayer structure includes a silicon oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer over the silicon nitride layer; forming a first carbonaceous hard mask on the first bilayer structure; forming a second bilayer structure on the first carbonaceous hard mask; forming a mask stack of alternating anti-reflecting coating (ARC) hard masks and second carbonaceous hard masks on the second bilayer structure; and coating a photoresist on the mask stack.

In a pattern formation method, a photoresist layer is formed over a substrate by combining a first precursor and a second precursor in a vapor state to form a photoresist material. The first precursor is an organometallic having a formula M.sub.aR.sub.bX.sub.c, where M is one or more selected from the group consisting of Sn, Bi, Sb, In, and Te, R is an alkyl group that is substituted by different EDG and/or EWG, X is a halide or sulfonate group, and 1a2, b1, c1, and b+c4. The second precursor is water, an amine, a borane, and/or a phosphine. The photoresist material is deposited over the substrate, and selectively exposed to actinic radiation to form a latent pattern, and the latent pattern is developed by applying a developer to the selectively exposed photoresist layer to form a pattern.