New approach to improve LER of EUV resist pattern by chemical and thermal treatment

In this paper, we discuss a new approach to improve the resist roughness, which is applied after the lithography process. The ERC (Edge Roughness Controller) process is composed of two steps, 1) To deliver resist softening material at the resist surface 2) To give thermal flow at that region in the bake step. Several samples were prepared based on this concept and consistent improvement was observed. Finally, by optimizing ERC chemistry using HSP (Hansen Solubility Parameter), LWR improvement of 14.8% could be achieved.