Iodine-containing photoacid generators and compositions comprising the same

#The present disclosure generally relates to polymer compositions including a photoacid generator. Specifically, the disclosure provides copolymers derived from a monomer including at least two iodine atoms.

#Extreme ultraviolet lithography (“EUVL”) is one of the leading technology options to replace optical lithography for volume semiconductor manufacturing at feature sizes <20 nm. The extremely short wavelength (13.4 nm) is a key enabling factor for high resolution required at multiple technology generations. In addition, the overall system concept scanning exposure, projection optics, mask format, and resist technology—is quite similar to that used for current optical technologies. Like previous lithography generations, EUVL consists of resist technology, exposure tool technology, and mask technology. The key challenges are EUV source power and throughput. Any improvement in EUV power source will directly impact the currently strict resist sensitivity specification. Indeed, a major issue in EUVL imaging is resist sensitivity, the lower the sensitivity, the greater the source power that is needed or the longer the exposure time that is required to fully expose the resist. The lower the power levels, the more noise affects the line edge roughness (“LER”) of the printed lines.

#It has been shown that EUV light absorption cross-section and secondary electron generation yield are critical factors for EUV sensitivity. One way to increase EUV photoresist sensitivity is by increasing its absorption cross-section at 13.5 nm, which is an atomic property of the material that can be theoretically calculated using known atomic absorptions. Typical atoms that make up resist materials, such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen possess very weak absorption at 13.5 nm. A fluorine atom has slightly higher absorption and has been used in the search for high EUV absorbing photoresist.

#The above and other aspects, advantages, and features of this disclosure will become more apparent by describing in further detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a scheme showing synthesis of the photoacid generator designated ECPPDBT TIP-TFBA;

#FIG. 2 is a scheme showing synthesis of the photoacid generator designated IPDPS PFBuS;

#Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the present exemplary embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects of the present description. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

#It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly in contact with the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

#It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another element, component, region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the present embodiments.