POSITIVE-TONE ORGANOMETALLIC EUV RESISTS
20260056462 ยท 2026-02-26
Inventors
Cpc classification
G03F7/0042
PHYSICS
C07F11/00
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
C07F7/2224
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
International classification
C07F11/00
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
Abstract
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to positive-tone photoresist compositions. Traditional chemically amplified resists have intrinsic limitations for use in high resolution Extreme UltraViolet (EUV) lithography due to low EUV absorptivity. Positive-tone photoresists efficiently absorb EUV light are needed to meet demands of high resolution, high sensitivity, and low line-edge-roughness. Organometallic complexes are promising candidates providing high EUV absorptivity. Positive-tone resists are used for most lithography steps in high-volume manufacturing making metal-containing positive-tone resists enormously valuable. Thus, embodiments herein disclose new positive-tone photoresist lithography compositions, and methods for forming resist patterns using one or more lithography compositions.
Claims
1. A positive-tone lithographic composition comprising the following formula, ##STR00009## wherein: M is tellurium (Te), antimony (Sb), tin (Sn), Iodine (I) or bismuth (Bi); R, when present, is independently an aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbon; L, when present, is independently a ligand comprising a heteroatom bound to M; B, when present, is a molecular fragment that is bound to two or more M atoms; Q is a molecular fragment comprising a heteroatom bound to M and a carbon, sulfur or phosphorus bound to a R group; R is an alkyl or aromatic fragment containing either an alkene or an alkyne; and, wherein a=0-12; b=0-12; c=1-12; d=0-12; and e=1-8.
2. The positive-tone lithographic composition of claim 1, wherein R is independently an aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of: C.sub.6H.sub.5, CH.sub.3, CH.sub.2CH.sub.3, CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, C(CH.sub.3).sub.3, CHCH.sub.2, C(CH.sub.3)=CH.sub.2, CH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2, CH.sub.2C CH, CH.sub.2C N, CH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.5, C.sub.6H.sub.4CHCH.sub.2, C.sub.6H.sub.4C(CH.sub.3)=CH.sub.2, CH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.4CHCH.sub.2, C.sub.6H.sub.4OCH.sub.3, p-C.sub.6H.sub.4OCH.sub.3, C.sub.6H.sub.4CH.sub.2CH.sub.3, CH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.4OCH.sub.3, C.sub.6H.sub.11, CH.sub.2C.sub.10H.sub.7, CH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.4C.sub.6H.sub.5, CH(C.sub.6H.sub.5).sub.2, CH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.4C(CH.sub.3).sub.3, CH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.4F, CH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.3F.sub.2, CH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.2F.sub.3, CH.sub.2C.sub.6F.sub.5, CH(CH.sub.3)C.sub.6H.sub.5, CH(CH.sub.3)C.sub.10H.sub.7, CH(CH.sub.3)C.sub.6H.sub.4C.sub.6H.sub.5, and CH(CH.sub.3)C.sub.6H.sub.4C(CH.sub.3).sub.3.
3. The positive-tone lithographic composition of claim 1, wherein L is independently a ligand selected from the group consisting of: F, Cl, Br, I, OH.sub.2, OH, OCH.sub.3, OCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, OC(CH.sub.3).sub.3, NC.sub.5H.sub.5, O(CH.sub.2CH.sub.3).sub.2, P(CH.sub.2CH.sub.3).sub.3, O(CH.sub.2).sub.4, SH.sub.2, SH, SCH.sub.3, SCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, SC(CH.sub.3).sub.3, S(CH.sub.2CH.sub.3).sub.2, S(CH.sub.2).sub.4, CN, O.sub.2CR, or C.sub.2O.sub.4.
4. The positive-tone lithographic composition of claim 1, wherein B is selected from the group consisting of: O, S, Te(O).sub.6, I(=O)O.sub.5, C.sub.2O.sub.4, SO.sub.4, PO.sub.4, (CH.sub.2).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.4(CH.sub.2).sub.2, OO, OCH.sub.2O, OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2O, OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O, OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O, OC.sub.6H.sub.4O, OCH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.4CH.sub.2O, OCH.sub.2CHCHCH.sub.2O, OCH.sub.2CCCH.sub.2O, SCH.sub.2CH.sub.2S, SCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2S, SCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2S, SC.sub.6H.sub.4S, SCH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.4CH.sub.2S, SCH.sub.2CHCHCH.sub.2S, SCH.sub.2CCCH.sub.2S, O.sub.2CCH.sub.2CO.sub.2, O.sub.2CCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CO.sub.2, O.sub.2CCH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.4CH.sub.2CO.sub.2, NHCONH, CH.sub.2, CH(C.sub.6H.sub.5), CH(CN), CH.sub.2CH.sub.2, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2, CH(CH.sub.3), CH(C.sub.6H.sub.5), CH.sub.2CHCHCH.sub.2, CH.sub.2C CCH.sub.2, and CH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.4CH.sub.2.
5. The positive-tone lithographic composition of claim 1, wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of: O.sub.2C, O.sub.3S, O.sub.3P, O.sub.2(HO)P, S(O)C, and O.sub.2C(O=C).
6. The positive-tone lithographic composition of claim 1, wherein QR is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR00010##
7. The positive-tone lithographic composition of claim 1, wherein QR is (p-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 and M is Sb.
8. The positive-tone lithographic composition of claim 1, wherein said compound comprises one of the following structural formula: ##STR00011## ##STR00012## ##STR00013##
9. The positive-tone lithographic composition of claim 1, wherein said positive-tone lithographic composition has following structural formula: ##STR00014##
10. The positive-tone lithographic composition of claim 1, wherein said positive-tone lithographic composition has following structural formula: ##STR00015##
11. The positive-tone lithographic composition of claim 1, wherein the composition's solubility increases in an alkaline aqueous developer solution upon exposure to actinic radiation to provide positive-tone properties.
12. The positive-tone lithographic composition of claim 11, wherein the developer is 0.1-20% of an aqueous 0.26 M solution of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH).
13. The positive-tone lithographic composition of claim 11, wherein the developer is 1-10% of an aqueous 0.26 M of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution.
14. A coating solution comprising, an organic solvent and a the positive-tone lithographic composition of claim 1.
15. A method for forming a radiation patternable coating, the method comprising: contacting the coating solution of claim 14, with a substrate under conditions suitable for forming a film atop the substrate.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Embodiments of the present disclosure, briefly summarized above and discussed in greater detail below, can be understood by reference to the illustrative embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the appended drawings. However, the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
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[0052] It is noted that the drawings of the disclosure are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the disclosure, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings.
Definitions
[0053] As used in the present specification, the following words and phrases are generally intended to have the meanings as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicates otherwise.
[0054] As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, references to a compound include the use of one or more compound(s). A step of a method means at least one step, and it could be one, two, three, four, five or even more method steps.
[0055] As used herein the terms about, approximately, and the like, when used in connection with a numerical variable, generally refers to the value of the variable and to all values of the variable that are within the experimental error (e.g., within the 95% confidence interval [CI 95%] for the mean) or within 10% of the indicated value, whichever is greater.
[0056] As used herein the term alkyl refers to C.sub.1-20 inclusive, linear (i.e., straight-1 s chain), branched, or cyclic, saturated or at least partially and in some cases fully unsaturated (i.e., alkenyl and alkynyl) hydrocarbon chains, including for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, octyl, ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, octenyl, butadienyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl, heptynyl, and allenyl groups. Branched refers to an alkyl group in which a lower alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl or propyl, is attached to a linear alkyl chain. Lower alkyl refers to an alkyl group having 1 to about 8 carbon atoms (i.e., a C.sub.1-8 alkyl), e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 carbon atoms. Higher alkyl refers to an alkyl group having about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms, e.g., 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 carbon atoms. In certain embodiments, alkyl refers to C.sub.1-3 straight-chain alkyls. In other embodiments, alkyl refers to C.sub.1-8 branched-chain alkyls. In embodiments, alkyl groups can optionally be substituted (a substituted alkyl) with one or more alkyl group substituents, which can be the same or different. The term alkyl group substituent includes but is not limited to alkyl, substituted alkyl, halo, arylamino, acyl, hydroxyl, aryloxyl, alkoxyl, alkylthio, arylthio, aralkyloxyl, aralkylthio, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, oxo, and cycloalkyl. There can be optionally inserted along the alkyl chain one or more oxygen, sulfur or substituted or unsubstituted nitrogen atoms, wherein the nitrogen substituent is hydrogen, lower alkyl (also referred to herein as alkylaminoalkyl), or aryl. Thus, as used herein, the term substituted alkyl includes alkyl groups, as defined herein, in which one or more atoms or functional groups of the alkyl group are replaced with another atom or functional group, including for example, alkyl, substituted alkyl, halogen, aryl, substituted aryl, alkoxyl, hydroxyl, nitro, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, sulfate, and mercapto.
[0057] As used herein, the term heteroalkyl by itself or in combination with another term means, unless otherwise stated, a stable straight or branched chain alkyl group consisting of the stated number of carbon atoms and one or two heteroatoms of O, N, and S, and wherein the nitrogen and sulfur atoms may be optionally oxidized and the nitrogen heteroatom may be optionally quaternized. In embodiments, the heteroatom(s) may be placed at any position of the heteroalkyl group, including between the rest of the heteroalkyl group and the fragment to which it is attached, as well as attached to the most distal carbon atom in the heteroalkyl group. Non-limiting examples include: OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.3, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2NHCH.sub.3, and CH.sub.2SCH.sub.2CH.sub.3. In embodiments, up to two heteroatoms may be consecutive, such as, for example, CH.sub.2NHOCH.sub.3, or CH.sub.2CH.sub.2SSCH.sub.3. In embodiments, heteroalkyl groups have 1-12 carbons.
[0058] As used herein, the term alkenyl, denotes a monovalent group derived from a hydrocarbon moiety containing at least two carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon double bond. In embodiments, the double bond may or may not be the point of attachment to another group. Alkenyl groups (e.g., C.sub.2-C.sub.8-alkenyl) include, but are not limited to, for example, ethenyl, propenyl, prop-1-en-2-yl, butenyl, 1-methyl-2-buten-1-yl, heptenyl, octenyl and the like.
[0059] As used herein, the term alkynyl, denotes a monovalent group derived from a hydrocarbon moiety containing at least two carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. In certain embodiments, the alkynyl group employed in the disclosure contains 2-20 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, the alkynyl group employed in the disclosure contains 2-15 carbon atoms. In another embodiment, the alkynyl group employed contains 2-10 carbon atoms. In still other embodiments, the alkynyl group contains 2-8 carbon atoms. In still other embodiments, the alkynyl group contains 2-5 carbon atoms. Representative alkynyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 1-pentynyl, 2-pentynyl, 1-hexynyl, 2-hexynyl and the like, which may bear one or more substituents. Alkynyl group substituents include, but are not limited to, any of the substituents described herein, that result in the formation of a stable moiety. Non-limiting examples of alkynyl as used herein includes alkynyl carboxylate.
[0060] As used herein, the term halo or halogen alone or as part of another substituent means, unless otherwise stated, a fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine atom.
[0061] Cyclic and cycloalkyl refer to a non-aromatic mono- or multicyclic ring system of about 3 to about 10 carbon atoms, e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 carbon atoms. In embodiments, a cycloalkyl group can be optionally partially unsaturated. In embodiments, the cycloalkyl group also can be optionally substituted with an alkyl group substituent as defined herein, oxo, and/or alkylene. In embodiments, there can be optionally inserted along the cyclic alkyl chain one or more oxygen, sulfur or substituted or unsubstituted nitrogen atoms, wherein the nitrogen substituent is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl, thus providing a heterocyclic group. Non-limiting examples of monocyclic cycloalkyl rings include cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and cycloheptyl. Non-limiting examples of multicyclic cycloalkyl rings include adamantyl, octahydronaphthyl, decalin, camphor, camphane, and noradamantyl.
[0062] As used herein, the term heterocycloalkyl or heterocyclyl refers to a heteroalicyclic group including one to four ring heteroatoms each selected from O, S, and N. In embodiments, each heterocyclyl group has from 3 to 10 atoms in its ring system, with the proviso that the ring of said group does not contain two adjacent O or S atoms. In embodiments, heterocyclyl substituents may be alternatively defined by the number of carbon atoms, e.g., C.sub.2-C.sub.8-heterocyclyl indicates the number of carbon atoms contained in the heterocyclic group without including the number of heteroatoms. For example, a C.sub.2-C.sub.8-heterocyclyl will include an additional one to four heteroatoms. In embodiments, the heterocyclyl group has less than three heteroatoms. In embodiments, the heterocyclyl group has one to two heteroatoms. In embodiments, the heterocycloalkyl group is fused with an aromatic ring. In embodiments, nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may be optionally oxidized, and the nitrogen atom may be optionally quaternized. The heterocyclic system may be attached, unless otherwise stated, at any heteroatom or carbon atom that affords a stable structure.
[0063] As used herein, the term aromatic refers to a carbocycle or heterocycle with one or more polyunsaturated rings and having aromatic character, i.e., having (4n+2) delocalized (pi) electrons, where n is an integer.
[0064] The term aryl is used herein to refer to an aromatic substituent that can be a single aromatic ring, or multiple aromatic rings that are fused together, linked covalently, or linked to a common group, such as, but not limited to, a methylene or ethylene moiety. The common linking group also can be a carbonyl, as in benzophenone, or oxygen, as in diphenylether, or nitrogen, as in diphenylamine. In embodiments, the term aryl specifically encompasses heterocyclic aromatic compounds. The aromatic ring(s) can include phenyl, naphthyl, biphenyl, diphenylether, diphenylamine and benzophenone, among others. In particular embodiments, the term aryl means a cyclic aromatic including about 5 to about 10 carbon atoms, e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 carbon atoms, and including 5- and 6-membered hydrocarbon and heterocyclic aromatic rings. In embodiments, an aryl group can be optionally substituted (a substituted aryl) with one or more aryl group substituents, which can be the same or different, wherein aryl group substituent includes alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aralkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, aryloxyl, aralkyloxyl, carboxyl, acyl, halo, nitro, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, acyloxyl, acylamino, aroylamino, carbamoyl, alkylcarbamoyl, dialkylcarbamoyl, arylthio, alkylthio, alkylene, and NRR, wherein R and R can each be independently hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, and aralkyl. Thus, as used herein, the term substituted aryl includes aryl groups, as defined herein, in which one or more atoms or functional groups of the aryl group are replaced with another atom or functional group, including for example, alkyl, substituted alkyl, halogen, aryl, substituted aryl, alkoxyl, hydroxyl, nitro, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, sulfate, and mercapto. Non-limiting examples of aryl groups include, but are not limited to, cyclopentadienyl, phenyl, furan, thiophene, pyrrole, pyran, pyridine, imidazole, benzimidazole, isothiazole, isoxazole, pyrazole, pyrazine, triazine, pyrimidine, quinoline, isoquinoline, indole, carbazole, and the like.
[0065] As generally discussed herein, a structure represented generally by the formula:
##STR00007##
as used herein refers to a ring structure, for example, but not limited to a 3-carbon, a 4-carbon, a 5-carbon, a 6-carbon, and the like, aliphatic and/or aromatic cyclic compound, including a saturated ring structure, a partially saturated ring structure, and an unsaturated ring structure as defined herein, including a substituent R group. In embodiments, the R group can be present or absent, and when present, one or more R groups can each be substituted on one or more available carbon atoms of the ring structure. The presence or absence of the R group and number of R groups is determined by the value of the integer n. Each R group, if more than one, is substituted on an available carbon of the ring structure rather than on another R group. For example, the structure above where n is 0 to 2 would comprise compound groups including, but not limited to:
##STR00008##
and the like.
[0066] In embodiments, a dashed line representing a bond in a cyclic ring structure indicates that the bond can be either present or absent in the ring. That is a dashed line representing a bond in a cyclic ring structure indicates that the ring structure is one of a saturated ring structure, a partially saturated ring structure, and an unsaturated ring structure.
[0067] These definitions are intended to supplement and illustrate, not preclude, the definitions that would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the present disclosure. Before embodiments are further described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
[0068] Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges, and are also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention.
[0069] As used herein, the term molecular fragment means, unless otherwise stated, part of a chemical structure with one or more incomplete bonds that requires other groups (e.g. alkyl, aryl, or a metal atom) to give a complete chemical structure. For example, O.sub.2C could be combined with two phenyl groups to make phenyl benzoate; O could be combined with methyl groups to make dimethyl ether; PO.sub.4 could be combined with three phenyl groups to make triphenyl phosphate, (C.sub.6H.sub.5O).sub.3P=O; or SO.sub.4 could be combined with two phenyl groups to make diphenyl sulfate, (C.sub.6H.sub.5O).sub.2SO.sub.2.
[0070] The term positive-tone is used herein to refer to a change in solubility of a resist film in which the resist becomes more soluble as a result of being exposed to actinic radiation under a specific development condition. The term negative-tone is used herein to refer to a change in solubility of a resist film in which the resist becomes less soluble as a result of being exposed to actinic radiation under a specific development condition. One resist can exhibit either positive-tone or negative-tone behavior depending upon the developer that is used.
[0071] The term actinic radiation refers to light of any wavelength (e.g. 13.5, 193, 248, 365 nm or a broad band mixture of several wavelengths) or charged particles (e.g. electrons or ions with energies from 5-200,000 eV).
[0072] The term dark-loss is used herein to refer to the amount of thickness a resist film loses during the developments step when that resist has not been exposed to light or actinic radiation.
[0073] The term outgassing is used herein to refer to the creation and evaporation of small relatively volatile compounds during the exposure to EUV (13.5 nm) light or electron beams under vacuum. These volatile compounds can be analyzed by mass spectrometers attached to the exposure chambers to determine their masses.
[0074] The term ablation is used herein to refer to the amount of resist film thickness that is lost during the EUV exposure step before the resist film is developed. Often outgassing and ablation occur simultaneously.
[0075] The term photospeed is used herein to refer to the amount of dose to actinic radiation needed to achieve a pre-determined effect, (e.g. zero film thickness in the contrast curve of a positive-tone resist, or maximum thickness in the contrast curve of a negative resist, or equal-lines and spaces for printing dense-line features using a mask).
[0076] The term SEM is used herein to refer to scanning electron microscope.
[0077] The term EUV is used herein to refer to extreme ultraviolet. EUV light has a wavelength of 13.50.1 nm and an energy of 921 eV.
[0078] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0079] The presently disclosed subject matter will now be described more fully and representative embodiments are shown. The presently disclosed subject matter can, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the is embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art.
[0080] Throughout the specification and claims, a given chemical formula or name shall encompass all optical and stereoisomers, as well as racemic mixtures where such isomers and mixtures exist.
[0081] In embodiments, the present disclosure provides new lithography compositions, methods for forming of resist patterns using a lithography composition, and semiconductor device manufacturing methods using the lithography compositions in a photolithography method of the present disclosure.
[0082] In particular, the embodiments disclosed herein are directed to extreme ultra-violet (EUV) positive-tone photoresists containing metallic elements. Incorporation of metals may enhance performance due to high absorptivity, small molecular volume, high material homogeneity and high etch resistance.
[0083] Metal containing photoresists (i.e., resists) have been of great interest to the microelectronics industry due to their high EUV absorptivity among other beneficial properties. The earliest metal-containing resists demonstrated to be viable for EUV lithography were hafnium oxide films and nanoparticles. While these resists did not offer large improvement in EUV-absorptivity, they had greatly increased etch selectivity acting as hard masks during pattern transfer. We have focused on MORE (Molecular Organometallic Resists for EUV), which is directed to the synthesis and lithographic evaluation of organometallic compounds as resists. To date well over 1000 compounds have been evaluated containing antimony, bismuth, cobalt, palladium, platinum, tellurium and tin. These prospective photoresists are not only highly efficient at absorbing EUV light but achieve high film homogeneity as they are comprised of a single pure component. In addition to synthesis and lithographic evaluation, we have investigated the photo-mechanisms of our resists to inform the design of future generation resists.
[0084] Preparing positive-tone metal containing resists presents challenges. In fact, there is a scarcity of metal containing resists that exhibit positive-tone behavior. Positive-tone photoresists are extremely valuable in the manufacturing of integrated circuits; some features such as contact holes are made preferentially with positive-tone photoresists. The initial positive-tone MORE compounds were oxalate complexes of platinum and palladium. Upon EUV exposure, the oxalate ligands decompose into carbon dioxide resulting in increased solubility in organic solvents. Later a cobalt oxalate complex (NP-1) was discovered to be both negative- and positive-tone depending on the choice of developer. It was thought that the key to positive-tone metal containing resists was in the oxalate ligand.
[0085] However, we have discovered that some of the most useful ligands used in MORE resists have contained polymerizable olefin groups. During exposure to EUV, resists containing olefins undergo free-radical polymerization resulting in a cross-linked network and generally a decrease in overall solubility and therefore exhibit negative-tone patterning. We have explored the use of olefins in antimony and bismuth complexes of the type R.sub.3M(O.sub.2R).sub.2 where M=Sb or Bi, and R or R is an organic group. We have also explored the use of olefins in tellurium and tin complexes of the type R.sub.2M(O.sub.2R).sub.2 where M=Te or Sn, and R or R is an organic group. We have also explored the use of various R ligands and carboxylate ligands, see
[0086] It was our understanding that the inclusion of polymerizable olefins polymerize during exposure to actinic radiation results in a cross-linked network with decreased solubility relative to the pre-exposure resist film. For example, triisopropenylantimony(V) (4-vinybenzoate).sub.2 shows decreasing solubility in organic developers such as toluene and, 2-heptanone and 4-methyl-2-pentanol with exposure to EUV. However, we have unexpectedly discovered that triisopropenylantimony(V) (4-vinybenzoate).sub.2 becomes increasingly soluble in dilute aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution (or dilute aqueous NaOH (
[0087] In embodiments disclosed herein, the vinylbenzoate ligand (aka styrene carboxylate ligand) utilized to provide positive-tone lithography to mono and multinuclear metal containing resists for use in EUV lithography. Embodiments of the present disclosure include metals from the main group that strongly absorb EUV light, such as: tellurium, antimony, tin, iodine, bismuth and indium. Despite previous reports of negative-tone behavior in metal containing EUV resists with ligands containing polymerizable olefins, we have demonstrated increased solubility in aqueous base for resists containing antimony, tin, bismuth and tellurium in combination with the 4-vinylbenzoate ligand.
[0088] In embodiments disclosed herein, various ligands, such as, for example, 2-vinylbenzoate, 3-vinylbenzoate, 4-vinylbenzoate, 2-ethynylbenzoate, 3-ethynylbenzoate, 4-ethynylbenzoate with the main-group metals (e.g. Sb, Sn, Te, Bi), which strongly absorb EUV, are utilized to produce positive-tone metal-containing resists. These ligands can be used to produce positive-tone, mono- and multinuclear complexes of highly EUV-absorbing main group metals. We have discovered that the choice of R-groups used concurrently with vinylbenzoates allows modulation of the positive-tone response as well as other resist properties. R-groups are aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbon, such as, C1 to C10 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or aromatic hydrocarbons. These R-groups may also contain substituted heteroatoms particularly at the alpha, beta or gamma position. The modulated properties include but are not limited to photospeed, contrast, SEM stability, film homogeneity and quality. Similarly, the choice of metal may be used to modify these properties.
[0089] Prior to the current work the 4-vinylbenzoate ligand had only been used in negative-tone resists. We have discovered antimony-containing resists of the type R.sub.3Sb(O.sub.2R).sub.2 that show increasing aqueous base solubility in response to EUV light (
[0090] The complex diphenyltellurium(IV) (4-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 (MM-28) also yields a positive-tone response to EUV when developed in an aqueous base solution containing 5 percent by weight of isopropanol (
[0091] We have also demonstrated dense-line patterning for resists of the type R.sub.3Sb (4-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 when R is isopropyl and isopropenyl. The complex triisopropenylSb(V) (4-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 (SH-11) showed slightly better sensitivity, however suffered from heavy degradation under the SEM electron beam. The complex triisopropylSb(V) (4-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 (NU-111) demonstrated dense-line patterning resolving 44 nm pitch upon discovery with no optimization. These results were obtained using interference lithography at the Paul Scherrer Institute.
[0092] We note that when 4-ethylbenzoate ligand is used in place of the 4-vinylbenzoate ligand, no positive-tone behavior is observed. The only difference between SH-11 and NU-136 is saturation of the terminal olefin on the carboxylate moiety. This substitution results in a dramatic change in the EUV response. During exposure to EUV, NU-136 loses mass at a dramatic rate. At around 54 mJ/cm.sup.2, NU-136 losses between 80-90% of its original film thickness due to ablation (
[0093] We exposed thin films of pure tri(isopropenyl)antimony (p-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 SH-11 to 0.1 to 75.4 mJ/cm.sup.2 of EUV light. These thin films were then developed in either toluene or 2.6 mM aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) resulting in positive- and negative-tone responses. SH-11 has the lowest dose to clear (E.sub.0), highest contrast (change in thickness with respect to dose) and best clearing (no film remained for any dose above E.sub.0) of any positive-tone resist that we discovered.
[0094] A thin film of SH-11 was exposed to a 2000 eV electron beam and developed for 60 seconds in 2.6 mM TMAH. SH-11 increases in solubility with e-beam exposure dose (when exposed for less than 100 seconds). Unlike exposure to EUV, when exposure to e-beam results in a tone-switch. At lower doses, solubility in aqueous base increases as a function dose until around 100 seconds of exposure after which solubility decreases with all additional exposure. While no true E.sub.0 was observed, an Emin is observed after which each subsequent increase in dose results in increased thickness retention.
[0095] Structure Function Analysis of Positive-Tone Organoantimony Dicarboxylates: After the discovery of SH-11, we hypothesized which ligand was responsible for the observed positive-tone response. Our understanding is that styrenecarboxylate and other ligands with polymerizable olefins results in fast negative-tone responses. With this understanding, we thought the isopropenyl ligand was the more likely cause of the positive-tone behavior. To test this, we synthesized many compounds systematically varying the alkyl and carboxylate groups. Early efforts failed to produce new positive-tone resists of the same type.
[0096] Seeking to elucidate which ligand is principally responsible for the observed positive-tone behavior, we synthesized and evaluated a series of compounds including tri(methyl)antimony (p-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 (JG-229), tri(propenyl)antimony (p-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 (JG-11), tri(isopropyl)antimony (p-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 (NU-111), and tri(cyclohexyl)antimony (p-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 (JG-238) (
[0097] Thin films of SH-11, JG-11 and NU-111 were subjected to a range of EUV exposure doses followed by development in 2.5 mM sodium hydroxide for 60 seconds. All three thin films yield positive-tone contrast curves. JG-11 and NU-111 both have slower photo-speeds (E.sub.0=134 and 111 mJ/cm.sup.2 respectively) when compared to SH-11 (E.sub.0=20 mJ/cm.sup.2) (
[0098] Positive-Tone Dense-Line Patterning: A thin film of SH-11 was exposed to EUV light using interference lithography through a mask containing a dense-line pattern with pitches of 60, 80, 100 and 44 nm (
[0099] Thin Films of SH-11, JG-11, NU-111 and NU-136 were exposed to varying doses of EUV light and thickness of each spot was measured with no development. During exposure of NU-136, film thickness is lost at a tremendous rate at doses less than 54 mJ/cm.sup.2 before stagnating around 80-90% thickness lost (
[0100] Dependence of Base Concentration on Contrast Curves: Thin films of SH-11 were exposed to EUV and developed in neutral deionized water and aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide (1 to 25 mM) of varying concentrations (
[0101] EUV-Induced Decomposition Pathways: Previously, we studied the decomposition pathways of R.sub.3Sb(O.sub.2CR).sub.2 photoresists. We have previously reported that volatile compounds resulting from metal-carbon and metal-oxygen bond cleavage are generated during exposure. Breaking of the metal-oxygen bond results in liberation of the carboxylate group. In some cases, breaking the metal-oxygen bond results in decarboxylation and the liberation of carbon dioxide. Pathway (1) is the photolysis of the antimony-carbon bond yielding a free R-group. Pathway (2) is the cleavage of the antimony-oxygen bond resulting in detachment of the carboxylate group. Pathway (3) is the generation of carbon dioxide and a free R-group. These simplistic representations of the exposure mechanism are used as a framework for understanding and discussing the primary photoinduced decomposition pathways for our resist system.
[0102] EUV and e-beam Induced Resist Outgassing: EUV photoresists are known to lose mass during exposure via the evaporation of photoproducts. The characterization of generated volatiles is important to minimize the likelihood of contaminating EUV optics. The identification of these volatiles can also provide insight into the chemical reactions that occur during exposure. Understanding these reactions is both pivotal in understanding the current resist systems, and in designing future generations of positive-tone resists.
[0103] The Denbeaux research group created both the Resist Outgassing eXposure chamber (ROX) and the Electron Resist Interaction Chamber (ERIC). These tools are capable of exposing resist films to EUV and e-beam respectively while simultaneously performing in-situ mass spectrometry. The direct characterization of outgassed species during exposure enabled us to make inferences on the exposure mechanism. Outgassing from three selected compounds of interest all contained fragments predicted by the decomposition pathways (
[0104] Fragments of the R-group were found for all three samples both during EUV and e-beam exposure (
[0105] In total, five compounds were exposed to both EUV and e-beam. One compound was exposed only to e-beam. The outgassing mass spectra were analyzed for evidence of R- and R-groups and can be found tabulated in
[0106] Mechanistic Interpretation: The detailed mechanisms of the exposure of EUV resists is still an area of active debate. Nonetheless, the fundamental steps in the mechanism are cleara 92 eV EUV photon is absorbed thereby creating an energetic photoelectron and a radical cation (or hole). This energetic photoelectron causes additional ionization reactions resulting in the creation of several electrons of varying kinetic energies and still more radical cations, or holes. How specifically, these electrons and holes induce chemical reactions is not understood for conventional chemically amplified photoresists, and even less so for inorganic resists. Nonetheless, we propose here a network of plausible mechanistic steps that are consistent with the structure-function and mass-spectral outgassing experiments presented in this paper (
[0107] Step 1: The olefin on the carboxylate group undergoes free-radical polymerization. Previous work with resists containing polymerizable olefins showed that polymerization occurs at low doses resulting in a polymer network in the film. Specifically, a radical, anion, or cation generated during photolysis initiates the polymerization thereby reducing the solubility of the exposed areas and producing negative-tone imaging. Increasing the number of polymerizable olefins relative to non-hydrogen atoms was shown to correlate with the sensitivity of negative-tone resists. Hasan's work demonstrated that molecular weight of a mono-olefin resist system increases as a function of exposure dose providing further evidence of polymerization. Here we show the same polymerization process with subsequent photochemistry resulting in increased aqueous base solubility. In this work, Step 1 is supported by two pieces of evidence: (a) The difference in ablation between the antimony complexes that contain the styrene carboxylate ligand (SH-11, JG-11 and NU-111) and the complex (NU-136) which contains the non-olefinic p-ethylbenzoate ligand; and (b) The difference in mass spectra between this same set of compounds. The compounds containing styrenecarboxylate show no evidence of R fragments in their mass spectra, but NU-136 shows evidence of ethylbenzene.
[0108] Step 2: The antimony-oxygen bond (Step 2a) or the antimony-carbon bond (Step 2b) is cleaved. Breaking of the antimony-carbon bond results in free R-groups which are detected in all cases in the outgassing mass spectra after the loss of a hydrogen atom. In the case of NU-136 (not shown in
[0109] Step 3b: The antimony-oxygen bond is photolyzed in some fraction of cases results in decarboxylation. Carbon dioxide is detected for all resists in the current work during e-beam exposure and has been previously reported as an outgassed specie from metal-carboxylate resists.
[0110] Step 3a: A hydrogen atom is abstracted by the carboxylate fragment resulting in a polymer-bound carboxylic acid (3a). Among the products of Step 3a, one additional polymeric unit is shown to visualize the changing composition of the polymer network. The formation of polymer-bound carboxylic acids is responsible for the increased solubility in alkaline developer. The carboxylate abstracts a hydrogen from an R-group which subsequently eliminates from the metal. This is consistent with the detection of R-groups having lost a hydrogen atom in the outgassing spectra for positive-tone compounds.
[0111] We proposed that the change in solubility is a result of an increasing ratio of carboxylic acid to metal carboxylate in the polymer network. The exposed films are insoluble in deionized water as would be expected for a polymeric carboxylic acid. The formation of carboxylic acids is in direct competition with decarboxylation. If decarboxylation is dominant, we would not expect increased solubility in aqueous base as there could be no formation of carboxylic acids. Nevertheless, if formation of carboxylic acids is dominant, breaking too high a fraction of the antimony-oxygen bonds could lead to insoluble antimony species no longer bound to the polymer. This balance of decarboxylation and metal-oxygen bond breaking is consistent with the decreased solubility observed for NU-111 and JG-11 at doses above 120 mJ/cm.sup.2 (
[0112] We have synthesized and evaluated numerous triorganoantimony dicarboxylates as positive-tone resists. In combination with the styrenecarboxylate (i.e., (p-vinylbenzoate).sub.2) ligand, isopropenyl, propenyl and isopropyl ligands demonstrated a positive-tone response to EUV radiation. These results indicate that the styrenecarboxylate ligand is key to producing a positive-tone response to EUV or e-beam exposure. The isopropenyl group was shown to have the highest sensitivity (E.sub.0=20 mJ/cm.sup.2) compared to propenyl and isopropyl (E.sub.0=134 and 111 mJ/cm.sup.2, respectively). When the olefin is saturated to an ethyl group, substantial loss of film thickness occurs during exposure. With only around 15% of film thickness remaining, evaluation of solubility change was futile. The ablation could be in part due to the lack of a polymerizable olefin leading to increased volatility after photolysis of metal-oxygen bonds.
[0113] Both SH-11 and NU-111 have been successfully used in dense-line patterning. SH-11 was able to resolve 30 nm half-pitch lines with a dose of 44 mJ/cm.sup.2 but suffered from heavy degradation during SEM imaging. With each scan of the electron beam the patterns became increasingly dark and faint. NU-111 was able to resolve 22 nm half-pitch lines at a dose of around 53 mJ/cm.sup.2. NU-111 shows vastly improved stability in the SEM compared to SH-11, but tends to form a crystalline, non-amorphous, thin film.
[0114] The outgassing from seven resists was analyzed via in-situ mass spectrometry during exposure to EUV and e-beam. Resist fragments corresponding to the breaking of the metal-carbon bond and metal-oxygen bond were observed for all resists. No resist containing the styrenecarboxylate group (i.e., (p-vinylbenzoate).sub.2) yielded evidence of vinylbenzene in the outgassing. Fragments corresponding to ethylbenzene were observed for the containing resist, NU-136. We suspect the presence of ethylbenzene and the absence of vinylbenzene is due to polymerization of the vinyl group during exposure.
[0115] We proposed that the increase in base solubility of positive-tone resists containing the styrenecarboxylate ligand occurs in two steps. The first step is free-radical polymerization of the terminal olefin resulting in a polymeric network. The second step is the breaking of the antimony oxygen bond and subsequent formation of a carboxylic acid. This results in a polymeric network containing carboxylic acids and antimony carboxylates. We suspect the ratio of carboxylic acid groups to antimony carboxylates increases with exposure to EUV rendering the polymeric network increasingly soluble in an alkaline developer. More evidence needs to be gathered to support this hypothesis including identification of intermediates and functional groups in the exposed film.
EXAMPLES
Experimental Methods and Resist Formulation and Spin Coating
[0116] Outgassing Analysis: Resist formulations were prepared by dissolving solids at 2 wt % in 1,4-dioxane and filtering through 0.45 m PTFE filters. Formulations were spin cast onto 4-inch virgin silicon wafers at 2000 RPM for 60 seconds. Wafers were subject to a post application bake at 60 C. for 60 seconds.
[0117] EUV Lithography: Resist formulations were prepared by dissolving solids at 2 wt % in an appropriate solvent and filtering through 0.45 m PTFE filters. Formulations were then spin cast onto 4-inch virgin silicon wafers at 1500 RPM for 60 seconds. Some wafers were pretreated with a custom underlayer (crosslinked hydroxyethyl methacrylate/methyl methacrylate copolymers) to promote adhesion. Wafers were subject to a post application bake at 60 C. for 60 seconds unless otherwise specified. No post-exposure bakes were performed. Resist films were 50 to 100 nm thick as measured by ellipsometry. Conditions for each resist can be found below in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Spin coating conditions for resists exposed to EUV at PSI for contrast curves. Resist Substrate Cast Solvent SH-11 Si 1-methoxy-2-propanol NU-111 Si 1,4-dioxane JG-11 Si 1,2-dichloroethane JP-30 Si 1,4-dioxane NU-136 Underlayer 1-methoxy-2-propanol NU-126 Underlayer ethyl lactate NU-127 Underlayer PGMEA NU-129 Underlayer 1,4-dioxane SH-10 Si ethyl lactate MM-18 Underlayer 1,4-dioxane NU-135 Underlayer 1,4-dioxane MM-10 Underlayer 1,4-dioxane NU-123 Si 1-methoxy-2-propanol
[0118] EUV exposures were performed at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) XIL-II beamline. Resists were exposed through an open frame, to make contrast curves. Each resist received 26 exposures including an index dose (a replication of the highest dose on the curve) for reference (
[0119] Contrast Curve Analysis: Resist film thicknesses were measured using a J. A. Woollam M-2000 fixed angle ellipsometer equipped with Complete Ease software. Thicknesses were fitted using a Cauchy model for the photoresist and a Cauchy model for the underlayer where appropriate. Thickness was plotted relative to an unexposed portion of the resist from the same wafer that was not subject to vacuum conditions of the EUV exposure chamber. The thickness of the replicate highest dose spots were averaged to give the value in each plot. In addition to the 26 exposure spots, film thickness was measured at two unexposed locations on the same section wafer that was exposed (
[0120] General: All reagents and solvents were purchased through either Sigma Aldrich or Alpha Aesar and used as received. All glassware was dried in an oven overnight prior to use. Reactions were carried out under a nitrogen atmosphere.
[0121] Synthesis: The desired R.sub.3Sb(O.sub.2CR).sub.2 compounds were synthesized via triorganoantimony diiodide intermediates. Ligand exchange was then performed to substitute iodides for the desired carboxylate. Synthesis of tri(isopropenyl)antimony (p-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 (SH-11) is shown below to exemplify this process.
[0122] Synthesis of tri(isopropenyl)antimony diiodide: A 250 mL round-bottom flask was purged for 15 minutes under a stream of nitrogen before the addition of 48.4 mL of a 0.5 M isopropenylmagnesium bromide solution in THF (24.2 mmol). The grignard solution was cooled to 15 C. Antimony(Ill) bromide (2.5 g, 6.9 mmol) was then solubilized in 10 mL diethyl ether and added dropwise to the grignard solution via syringe across one hour. The reaction was allowed to gradually warm to room temperature and stirred for three hours before quenching with dropwise addition of 5 mL saturated ammonium chloride via syringe. To the reaction mixture, 30 mL of dichloromethane and 15 mL of deionized water were added to solubilize any solids. The organic phase was transferred and filtered via cannula. tri(isopropenyl)antimony(II) was then oxidized to tri(isopropenyl)antimony(V) diiodide by the addition of iodine (3.4 g, 6.9 mmol) dissolved in 20 ml of tetrahydrofuran. Addition was ceased when the solution began to change color. Rotary evaporation to dryness yielded tri(isopropenyl) diiodide. Crude product was recrystallized from diethyl ether yielding 2.714 g (79%) clear rectangular crystals (decomposes: 153-164 C., no melting). .sup.1H-NMR (500 MHz, Chloroform-d) 5.80 (s, 1H), 5.68 (s, 1H), 2.46 (s, 3H).
[0123] Synthesis of tri(isopropenyl)antimony (p-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 tri(isopropenyl)antimony diiodide: (1 g, 2 mmol) was dissolved in 10 mL of dichloromethane in a 50 mL round-bottom flask. A suspension of potassium styrenecarboxylate (1.122 g, 3 mmol) in 5 mL deionized water was added before equipping a reflux condenser. The biphasic mixture was then held at 50 C. with vigorous stirring for three hours. After cooling to room temperature, the organic phase was collected and washed twice with deionized water followed by one washing with brine. The organic phase was then dried over magnesium sulfate before filtering through cotton. Rotary evaporation yielded an oily liquid which crystallized spontaneously into 1.012 g (94% yield) flat needles (decomposes: 103 C., no melting). .sup.1H-NMR (500 MHz, Chloroform-d) 7.96 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 4H), 7.43 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 4H), 6.75 (dd, 2H), 5.81-5.86 (m, 5H), 5.75 (d, 3H), 5.34 (d, 2H), 2.41 (s, 9H).
[0124] Tri(isopropenyl)antimony (p-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 (SH-11): Obtained 1.012 g (94% yield) flat needles (decomposes: 103 C., no melting). .sup.1H-NMR (500 MHz, Chloroform-d) 7.96 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 4H), 7.43 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 4H), 6.75 (dd, 2H), 5.81-5.86 (m, 5H), 5.75 (d, 3H), 5.34 (d, 2H), 2.41 (s, 9H).
[0125] Tri(propenyl)antimony (p-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 (JG-11): Obtained 127 mg (74% yield) white crystalline needles.
[0126] Tri(isopropyl)antimony (p-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 (NU-111): Obtained .sup.1H-NMR (500 MHz, Chloroform-d) 8.01 (d, J=8 Hz, 4H), 7.46 (d, J=8 Hz, 4H), 6.76 (dd, J=18, 11 Hz, 2H), 5.84 (d, J=18 Hz, 2H), 5.35 (d, J=11 Hz, 2H), 3.35 (sep, J=7 Hz, 3H), 1.68 (d, J=7 Hz, 18H).
[0127] Tri(methyl)antimony (p-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 (JG-229): Obtained 462 mg (32% yield) white powder (decomposes: 91.7 C., no melting).
[0128] Tri(phenyl)antimony (p-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 (JP-30).sup.3: Obtained 0.1 H NMR (400 MHz, Chloroform-d) 8.14 to 8.04 (m, 6H), 7.86 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 4H), 7.51 to 7.40 (m, 9H), 7.33 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 4H), 6.67 (dd, J=17.6, 10.9 Hz, 2H), 5.75 (d, J=17.6 Hz, 2H), 5.26 (d, 2H).
[0129] Tri(cyclohexyl)antimony (p-vinylbenzoate).sub.2 (JG-238): Obtained 545 (72% yield) white fibrous crystals (decomposes: 99.4 C., no melting). .sup.1H-NMR (500 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D) 8.03 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 4H), 7.48 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 4H), 6.78 (dd, J=17.5, 10.8 Hz, 2H), 5.85 (d, J=17.5 Hz, 2H), 5.35 (d, J=11.0 Hz, 2H), 3.31 (tt, J=12.5, 3.0 Hz, 3H), 2.35-2.15 (m, 6H), 2.15-1.99 (m, 6H), 1.84-1.72 (m, 6H), 1.70-1.59 (m, 3H), 1.45-1.26 (m, 9H).
[0130] The entire disclosure of all applications, patents, and publications cited herein are herein incorporate by reference in their entirety. While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof.
[0131] The present invention is not to be limited by the above description, but to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
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