We studied the use of a ladder-structure silicone, polyvinylsilsesquioxane introduced phenyl groups(PVSS-P), as a negative bi-level resist for deep-UV lithography.
We synthesized PVSS-P by hydrolysis of vinyltrichlorosilane and phenyltrichlorosilane followed by dehydrized condensation copolymerization. The residual active silanol groups in the polymer were terminated with trimethylchlorosilane.
We found that the PVSS-P is highly sensitive to deep-UV light, Dg
0.5=75mJ/cm
2, because the phenyl group generates radicals to cross-link vinyl groups when exposed to deep-UV light, and no oxygen-inhibitation effect when exposed to air.
PUSS-P is highly resistive to reactive ion etching in oxygen plasma (0
z-RIE) because of its high silicon content. The etch rate of PVSS-P is about one hundredth as large as that of hard-baked MP1300 resist, used as a planarizing layer.
PVSS-P also forms good pattern profiles because of its high thermal stability. A 0.4μm pattern can be delineated with PVSS-P/MP-1300 bi-level resist systems using a KrF excimer laser stepper.
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