Pattern forming method including the formation of an acidic coating layer on the radiation-sensitive layer

Abstract

A radiation-sensitive layer comprising as a main component a radiation-sensitive composition containing a compound capable of generating an acid when exposed to a chemical radiation and a compound having at least one linkage decomposable by an acid is formed on a substrate. An acidic coating layer is formed on the radiation-sensitive layer. The radiation-sensitive layer and the acidic coating layer are pattern-exposed to a chemical radiation. The radiation-sensitive layer and the acidic coating layer are baked and developed by using an aqueous alkaline solution to obtain a pattern comprising lines and spaces, each having a predetermined width. A fine pattern of a rectangular sectional shape can be formed without producing eaves caused by a surface inhibition layer layer, which is produced on the film surface.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.