Imaging of 32-nm 1:1 lines and spaces using 193-nm immersion interference lithography with second-generation immersion fluids to achieve a numerical aperture of 1.5 and a k1 of 0.25

Roger H. French; Harry Sewell; Min K. Yang; Sheng Peng; Diane C. McCafferty; Weiming Qiu; Robert C. Wheland; Michael F. Lemon; Louis Markoya; Michael K. Crawford

doi:10.1117/1.2039953

1 July 2005 Imaging of 32-nm 1:1 lines and spaces using 193-nm immersion interference lithography with second-generation immersion fluids to achieve a numerical aperture of 1.5 and a k₁ of 0.25

Roger H. French, Harry Sewell, Min K. Yang, Sheng Peng, Diane C. McCafferty, Weiming Qiu, Robert C. Wheland, Michael F. Lemon, Louis Markoya, Michael K. Crawford

Author Affiliations +

Journal of Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS, Vol. 4, Issue 3, 031103 (July 2005). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.2039953

Abstract

Water-based immersion lithography using ArF illumination is able to provide optical solutions as far as the 45-nm node, but is not able to achieve the 38- or 32-nm nodes as currently defined. Achieving these lithographic nodes will require new, higher refractive index fluids to replace the water used in first-generation immersion systems. We have developed a number of such second-generation high-index fluids for immersion lithography at 193 nm. These highly transparent fluids have 193-nm indices up to 1.664. To understand the behavior and performance of different fluid classes, we use spectral index measurements to characterize the index dispersion, coupled with Urbach absorption edge analysis and Lorentz Oscillator modeling. Interference imaging printers have long been available, and they now have a new use: a rapid, cost-effective way to develop immersion lithography, particularly at extremely high resolutions. Although interference printers will never replace classical lens-based lithography systems for semiconductor device production, they do offer a way to develop resist and fluid technology at a relatively low cost. Their simple image-forming format offers easy access to the basic physics of advanced imaging. Issues such as polarization of the image-forming light rays, fluid/resist interaction during exposure, topcoat film performance, and resist line edge roughness (LER) at extremely high resolutions, can all be readily studied. 32-nm 1:1 line/space (L/S) imaging is demonstrated using two of the second-generation fluids. These resolutions are well beyond current lens-based system capabilities. Results on the performance of various resists and topcoats are also reported for 32-nm L/S features.

©(2005) Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

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Roger H. French, Harry Sewell, Min K. Yang, Sheng Peng, Diane C. McCafferty, Weiming Qiu, Robert C. Wheland, Michael F. Lemon, Louis Markoya, and Michael K. Crawford "Imaging of 32-nm 1:1 lines and spaces using 193-nm immersion interference lithography with second-generation immersion fluids to achieve a numerical aperture of 1.5 and a k₁ of 0.25," Journal of Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS 4(3), 031103 (1 July 2005). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.2039953

Published: 1 July 2005

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