Copolymer resin, preparation thereof, and photoresist using...

Details Copolymer resin, preparation thereof, and photoresist using... Copolymer resin, preparation thereof, and photoresist using...

2002-01-22

2003-08-19

Zalukaeva, Tatyana (Department: 1713)

Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 ser

Synthetic resins

Polymers from only ethylenic monomers or processes of...

C526S280000, C526S269000, C526S271000, C526S272000, C526S283000, C430S270100, C430S914000, C430S009000, 28, C525S282000, C525S205000, C524S532000, C524S553000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06608158

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a copolymer resin for a photoresist used in the manufacture of electronic devices. The photoresist can be used with an ultraviolet ray such as KrF or ArF. More particularly, the present invention relates to processes for preparation of the photoresist, processes using the photoresist, and the photoresist itself. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention relates to a photoresist resin, wherein a mono-methyl cis-5-norbornene-endo-2,3-dicarboxylate unit has been introduced to a norbornene-maleic anhydride copolymeric structure for a photoresist, usable in lithography process using a KrF (248 nm) or ArF (193) light source which could be applied in 1G or 4G DRAM devices, and others; a process for preparation thereof; and a photoresist containing the same resin.
Various types of photoresists have been used or proposed. These photoresists often have a variety of characteristics or properties such as etching resistance, adhesiveness, and others. In general, etching resistance, adhesiveness with low light absorption at 193 nm wavelength are desirable for a copolymer resin for ArF. The copolymer resin also should be developable by using 2.38 wt % aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution. It is difficult to synthesize a copolymer resin, however, satisfying one or more of these properties. Many researches have focused on studies on norbolac type resin as a resin to increase transparency at 193 nm wavelength and increase etching resistance. As an example, “Bell Labs” tried to introduce alicyclic unit to the backbone chain in order to enhance etching resistance. The copolymer resin in which the backbone chain has norboran, acrylate and maleic anhydride substituent, is, for example, represented by chemical formula I:
The copolymer resin of formula I, in which maleic anhydride portion (A portion) used for polymerizing alicyclic olefin group, however, is the only material to be polymerized with norbornene, the alicyclic unit, without absorbing ArF light having 193 nm wavelength. Accordingly, it generally cannot be used as a resin for ArF, because it is quite soluble in 2.38% aqueous TMAH solution. The solubility occurs even without exposure to create a ‘top loss’ phenomenon (the top of pattern being formed in round shape) which is generally seen in conventional photoresist patterning.
Thus, in order to prevent such phenomenon, a y-portion having tert-butyl substituent should be increased. A relative decrease of z-portion, which enhances sensitivity and adhesiveness with substrate, causes disadvantages in that the photoresist is removed from the wafer in conventional patterning so that the pattern cannot be formed effectively. Other resist products have been proposed, but these resist products can have numerous limitations such as difficulty in manufacturing, offensive odors, and the like.
From the above, it is seen that a photoresist having better adhesiveness and improved resolution is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, the present inventors developed a maleic anhydride type copolymer resin comprising 5-norbonen-2-carboxylic acid monomer represented by chemical formula II as a main constituent, and filed a patent application (Korean Patent Application No. 97-26807 filed on Jun. 21, 1997), as an attempt to solve limitations of conventional photoresist products.
Though photoresist using the maleic anhydride type copolymer resin suggested by the above application is a polymer resin with high adhesiveness, sensitivity and excellent resolution, there is a problem in practical manufacturing, because one of the main constituents, 5-norbonen-2-carboxylic acid may generate very offensive odor during the synthetic process. Thus, the present inventors have developed a novel photoresist having excellent resolution without causing the problem of offensive odor.
In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a technique for limiting the offensive odor caused by conventional resist products. More particularly, the present invention provides a method of introducing mono-methyl cis-5 -norbonen-endo-2,3-dicarboxylate unit instead of 5-norbonen-2-carboxylic acid in the norbornene-maleic anhydride copolymer structure. The present method resolves, in part, any problem of emitting an offensive odor. In a preferred embodiment, the present method provides a resulting resist without substantially deteriorating resist sensitivity. The present photoresist also has characteristics such as excellent adhesiveness and resolution (0.13 &mgr;m). The present resist can be obtained with easiness of control of constituent composition during the synthesis of photoresist resin to make the mass production possible.
Numerous advantages or benefits are achieved by way of the present invention over conventional techniques. In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a copolymer resin comprising mono-methyl cis-5-norbonen-endo-2,3-dicarboxylate unit. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention provides a process for preparing the copolymer resin comprising mono-methyl cis-5-norbonen-endo-2,3-dicarboxylate unit. In still a further embodiment, the present invention provides a photoresist comprising the above norbornene-maleic anhydride copolymer resin, organic solvent, and an inorganic acid generator. Still further, the present invention provides a semiconductor element manufactured by using the photoresist comprising the above copolymer resin. These and other benefits are described throughout the specification and more particularly below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a copolymer resin for photoresist comprising mono-methyl cis-5-norbonen-endo-2,3-dicarboxylate unit, which is represented by following chemical formula III:
where, R represents tert-butyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl or ethoxyethyl group, and the ratio x:y:z is (0.1-99%):(0.1-99%):(0.1-99%).
The copolymer resins according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably include norbornene-maleic anhydride copolymer resins represented by chemical formula IV to VII.
In the formulas, R, x, y and z is defined as above.
The copolymer resin of the present invention, represented by formula III can be prepared by polymerizing the norbornene derivative of formula VIII, 2-hydroxyethyl-5-norbonen-2-carboxylate of formula IX, maleic anhydride of formula X and mono-methyl-cis-5-norbonen-endo-2,3-dicarboxylate of formula XI in the presence of radical initiator.
In the above formulas, R represents tert-butyl, 2-tetrahydropyranyl, 2-tetrahydrofuranyl or ethoxyethyl or like groups.
In the preparation of the copolymer resin according to the present invention, norbornene derivatives of chemical formula VIII is preferably selected from a group consisting of tert-butyl 5-norbonen-2-carboxylate, 2-tetrahydropyranyl 5-norbornene-2-carboxylate, 2-tetrahydrofuranyl 5-norbonen-2-carboxylate and 2-ethoxyethyl 5-norbonen-2-carboxylate.
The copolymer resins according to the present invention can be prepared by a conventional polymerization process such as bulk polymerization or solution polymerization. As a solvent, cyclohexanone, methyl ethyl ketone, benzene, toluene, dioxane and/or dimethylformamide may be used individually, or in a mixture. Polymerization initiators usable in the present invention include benzoyl peroxide, 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), acetyl peroxide, lauryl peroxide, tert-butyl peracetate, di-tert-butyl peroxide, or the like.
In the process for preparing the copolymer resin according to the present invention, general polymerization condition including temperature and pressure of radical polymerization may be controlled dependent upon the property of the reactants, but it is preferable to carry out the polymerization reaction at a temperature between 60 and 200°C.
The copolymer resin according to the present invention can be used in the formation of a positive micro-image by preparing a photoresist solution in which the resin is mixed with an organic solvent and

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