JP2009086308A - Positive photosensitive composition and pattern forming method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are a positive photosensitive composition having excellent resolving power in forming a fine pattern and excellent pattern controllability in a thermal flow process, and a pattern forming method using the same.
SOLUTION: The solubility in an alkali developer is increased by the action of an acid having (A) a compound that generates an acid upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation, and (B) a repeating unit that decomposes by heat and lowers the molecular weight. A positive photosensitive composition containing a resin, and a pattern forming method using the same.
[Selection figure] None

Description

  The present invention relates to a positive photosensitive composition used in a semiconductor manufacturing process such as an IC, a circuit board such as a liquid crystal or a thermal head, and other photofabrication processes, and a pattern forming method using the same. is there. More specifically, the present invention relates to a positive photosensitive composition suitable for use as an exposure light source such as far ultraviolet rays of 250 nm or less, preferably 220 nm or less, and an irradiation source using an electron beam, and a pattern forming method using the same.

  The chemically amplified photosensitive composition generates an acid in the exposed area by irradiation with radiation such as far ultraviolet light, and the acid-catalyzed reaction causes the solubility of the active radiation irradiated area and non-irradiated area in the developer. This is a pattern forming material for changing the pattern to form a pattern on the substrate.

  When a KrF excimer laser is used as an exposure light source, a resin having a basic skeleton of poly (hydroxystyrene) having a small absorption mainly in the 248 nm region is used as a main component. A pattern is formed, which is a better system than the conventional naphthoquinone diazide / novolak resin system.

When a further short wavelength light source such as ArF excimer laser (193 nm) is used as the exposure light source, the chemical amplification system is not sufficient because the compound having an aromatic group essentially shows a large absorption in the 193 nm region. It was.
For this reason, an ArF excimer laser resist containing a resin having an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure has been developed.
In recent years, immersion lithography using a technique for increasing resolution in an optical microscope is known as a method for achieving finer pattern formation. In immersion lithography, exposure is performed by filling a liquid having a high refractive index (hereinafter also referred to as “immersion liquid”) between a projection lens and a sample.

Also, a method using thermal flow is being sought.
The thermal flow process is a method in which after a resist pattern is formed by lithography, the resist pattern is subjected to heat treatment to flow the resist film to reduce the pattern size. The resist pattern is softened by heating after pattern formation, and the size of the part where the pattern is not formed (hole diameter of the hole pattern, space width of the line and space pattern, etc.) can be reduced by flowing in the gap direction of the pattern. Is possible.
However, in the photosensitive composition used for conventional ArF excimer laser lithography, etc., the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin contained therein is high, so that the base resin is not sufficiently softened at the heating temperature in the thermal flow process. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to miniaturize a resist pattern by a thermal flow process. Therefore, in Patent Documents 1 and 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2007-114412 and 2007-114613), control of the pattern size is attempted by introducing a specific acid-decomposable group into the resin.

  On the other hand, it has been recently reported that a polyester resin obtained by anionic polymerization exhibits thermal decomposability at a relatively low temperature (Patent Document 3; Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-206650). Research has also been made on the loading and release of low-molecular compounds on solids by utilizing the fact that the oxanorbornene skeleton obtained from maleimide and furan by the Diels-Alder reaction is decomposed by the retro-Diels-Alder reaction at a relatively low temperature. (Non-Patent Document 1; Tetrahedron Letters 46, (2005) 1181-1184).

JP 2007-114412 A Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-114613 JP 2006-206650 A Tetrahedron Letters 46, (2005) 1181-1184

As described above, when miniaturization, particularly thermal flow, is performed, further improvement in flow performance due to heat is required. However, when a photosensitive composition containing a resin whose Tg is lowered by a simple method as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above, a new problem that various performances such as resolution (especially exposure latitude) are impaired is found. did.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can be used for a positive photosensitive composition that is excellent in resolving power and improved in line edge roughness and pattern profile even in the formation of a fine pattern of 100 nm or less. It is an object of the present invention to provide a positive photosensitive composition that can be suitably used for a thermal flow photosensitive composition that is capable of being excellent in resist pattern controllability in a thermal flow process.

By including a resin that decomposes by heat in the photosensitive composition, the inventors of the present application can achieve both high flowability and performance such as exposure latitude without the above-described problem of reduction in sensitivity. I found out that
That is, the present invention has the following configuration.

<1> (A) a compound that generates an acid upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation, and
(B) a resin containing a repeating unit that decomposes by heat and decreases in molecular weight, and whose dissolution rate in an alkaline developer is increased by the action of an acid;
A positive tourism composition containing

  <2> The positive photosensitive composition as described in <1> above, wherein the resin (B) is a resin that starts decomposing at 80 ° C. to 250 ° C.

<3>
The positive photosensitive composition as described in <1> or <2> above, wherein the resin (B) has a structure represented by the following general formula (II) in the polymer main chain or side chain.
In formula (II),
X represents a methylene group, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.
Rq, Rr, Rx, Ry, and Rz each independently represent a linking group or a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an ester group, a carboxyl group, or a hydroxyl group.

<4>
The positive electrode according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the resin (B) has a repeating unit represented by any one of the following formulas (II-a) to (II-c): Type photosensitive composition.
In the formulas (II-a) to (II-c),
X represents a methylene group, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.
L represents an alkylene group or a polyethyleneoxy group.
Ra to Rm each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an ester group, a carboxyl group, or a hydroxyl group.

<5>
The positive photosensitive resin as described in <1> to <4> above, wherein the resin (B) has a group capable of leaving by the action of an acid represented by the following general formulas (pI) to (pV): Sex composition.
In the general formulas (pI) to (pV),
R ₁₁ represents an alkyl group.
Z represents an atomic group necessary for forming a cycloalkyl group together with a carbon atom.
R _{12 to} R ₁₄ each independently represents an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group.
R ₁₅ and R ₁₆ each independently represents an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group.
R _{17 to} R ₂₁ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group. Moreover, any of R ₁₉ and R ₂₁ represents an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group.
R _{22 to} R ₂₅ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group. R ₂₃ and R ₂₄ may be bonded to each other to form a ring.

<6>
Resin (B) has a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (AI), The positive photosensitive composition as described in said <1>-<5> characterized by the above-mentioned.
In general formula (AI),
R _b0 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or an alkyl group.
A _b is a single bond, an alkylene group, a divalent linking group having a monocyclic or polycyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure, an ether group, an ester group, a carbonyl group, a carboxyl group, or a divalent group obtained by combining these. Represents.
V represents a group having a lactone structure.

<7>
A pattern forming method comprising a step of forming a film from the positive photosensitive composition according to any one of <1> to <6>, and exposing and developing the film.

<8>
The pattern forming method as described in <7> above, further comprising a thermal flow step of shrinking the line width of the pattern by heating after development.

  It is possible to provide a positive photosensitive composition that is excellent in resolving power when forming a fine pattern of 100 nm or less, etc., and excellent in pattern controllability in a thermal flow process.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.
In addition, in the description of the group (atomic group) in this specification, the description which does not describe substitution and non-substitution includes what does not have a substituent and what has a substituent. . For example, the “alkyl group” includes not only an alkyl group having no substituent (unsubstituted alkyl group) but also an alkyl group having a substituent (substituted alkyl group).

(A) Compound that generates acid upon irradiation with actinic ray or radiation The positive photosensitive composition of the present invention is a compound that generates acid upon irradiation with actinic ray or radiation (hereinafter also referred to as “acid generator”). contains.
As an acid generator, photo-initiator of photocation polymerization, photo-initiator of photo-radical polymerization, photo-decoloring agent of dyes, photo-discoloring agent, or irradiation with actinic ray or radiation used for micro-resist etc. Known compounds that generate acids and mixtures thereof can be appropriately selected and used.

  Examples thereof include diazonium salts, phosphonium salts, sulfonium salts, iodonium salts, imide sulfonates, oxime sulfonates, diazodisulfones, disulfones, o-nitrobenzyl sulfonates, and the like.

  Further, a group that generates an acid upon irradiation with these actinic rays or radiation, or a compound in which a compound is introduced into the main chain or side chain of the polymer, for example, US Pat. No. 3,849,137, German Patent No. 3914407. JP, 63-26653, JP, 55-164824, JP, 62-69263, JP, 63-146038, JP, 63-163452, JP, 62-153853, The compounds described in JP-A 63-146029 can be used.

  Furthermore, compounds capable of generating an acid by light described in US Pat. No. 3,779,778, European Patent 126,712 and the like can also be used.

  Preferred compounds among the acid generators include compounds represented by the following general formulas (ZI), (ZII), and (ZIII).

In general formula (ZI):
R ₂₀₁ , R ₂₀₂ and R ₂₀₃ each independently represents an organic group.
The carbon number of the organic group as R ₂₀₁ , R ₂₀₂ and R ₂₀₃ is generally 1-30, preferably 1-20.
Two of R _{201 to} R ₂₀₃ may be bonded to form a ring structure, and the ring may contain an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, an ester bond, an amide bond, or a carbonyl group. The two of the group formed by bonding of the R ₂₀₁ to R _203, there can be mentioned an alkylene group (e.g., butylene, pentylene).
Z ⁻ represents a non-nucleophilic anion.

Examples of the non-nucleophilic anion as Z ⁻ include a sulfonate anion, a carboxylate anion, a sulfonylimide anion, a bis (alkylsulfonyl) imide anion, and a tris (alkylsulfonyl) methyl anion.

  A non-nucleophilic anion is an anion that has an extremely low ability to cause a nucleophilic reaction, and is an anion that can suppress degradation over time due to an intramolecular nucleophilic reaction. This improves the temporal stability of the resist.

  Examples of the sulfonate anion include an aliphatic sulfonate anion, an aromatic sulfonate anion, and a camphor sulfonate anion.

  Examples of the carboxylate anion include an aliphatic carboxylate anion, an aromatic carboxylate anion, and an aralkylcarboxylate anion.

  The aliphatic moiety in the aliphatic sulfonate anion may be an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group, preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms and a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms such as methyl. Group, ethyl group, propyl group, isopropyl group, n-butyl group, isobutyl group, sec-butyl group, pentyl group, neopentyl group, hexyl group, heptyl group, octyl group, nonyl group, decyl group, undecyl group, dodecyl group , Tridecyl group, tetradecyl group, pentadecyl group, hexadecyl group, heptadecyl group, octadecyl group, nonadecyl group, eicosyl group, cyclopropyl group, cyclopentyl group, cyclohexyl group, adamantyl group, norbornyl group, boronyl group and the like.

  The aromatic group in the aromatic sulfonate anion is preferably an aryl group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, such as a phenyl group, a tolyl group, and a naphthyl group.

  The alkyl group, cycloalkyl group and aryl group in the aliphatic sulfonate anion and aromatic sulfonate anion may have a substituent. Examples of the substituent of the alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, and aryl group in the aliphatic sulfonate anion and aromatic sulfonate anion include, for example, a nitro group, a halogen atom (fluorine atom, chlorine atom, bromine atom, iodine atom), carboxyl group , Hydroxyl group, amino group, cyano group, alkoxy group (preferably having 1 to 15 carbon atoms), cycloalkyl group (preferably having 3 to 15 carbon atoms), aryl group (preferably having 6 to 14 carbon atoms), alkoxycarbonyl group ( Preferably 2 to 7 carbon atoms, acyl group (preferably 2 to 12 carbon atoms), alkoxycarbonyloxy group (preferably 2 to 7 carbon atoms), alkylthio group (preferably 1 to 15 carbon atoms), alkylsulfonyl group (Preferably having 1 to 15 carbon atoms), alkyliminosulfonyl group (preferably having 2 to 15 carbon atoms), aryl Ruoxysulfonyl group (preferably having 6 to 20 carbon atoms), alkylaryloxysulfonyl group (preferably having 7 to 20 carbon atoms), cycloalkylaryloxysulfonyl group (preferably having 10 to 20 carbon atoms), alkyloxyalkyloxy group (Preferably having 5 to 20 carbon atoms), a cycloalkylalkyloxyalkyloxy group (preferably having 8 to 20 carbon atoms), and the like. About the aryl group and ring structure which each group has, an alkyl group (preferably C1-C15) can further be mentioned as a substituent.

  Examples of the aliphatic moiety in the aliphatic carboxylate anion include the same alkyl group and cycloalkyl group as in the aliphatic sulfonate anion.

  Examples of the aromatic group in the aromatic carboxylate anion include the same aryl group as in the aromatic sulfonate anion.

  The aralkyl group in the aralkyl carboxylate anion is preferably an aralkyl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, such as a benzyl group, a phenethyl group, a naphthylmethyl group, a naphthylethyl group, and a naphthylmethyl group.

  The alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, aryl group and aralkyl group in the aliphatic carboxylate anion, aromatic carboxylate anion and aralkylcarboxylate anion may have a substituent. Examples of the substituent of the alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, aryl group and aralkyl group in the aliphatic carboxylate anion, aromatic carboxylate anion and aralkylcarboxylate anion include, for example, the same halogen atom and alkyl as in the aromatic sulfonate anion Group, cycloalkyl group, alkoxy group, alkylthio group and the like.

  Examples of the sulfonylimide anion include saccharin anion.

  The alkyl group in the bis (alkylsulfonyl) imide anion and tris (alkylsulfonyl) methyl anion is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, An isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, a pentyl group, a neopentyl group, and the like can be given. Examples of substituents for these alkyl groups include halogen atoms, alkyl groups substituted with halogen atoms, alkoxy groups, alkylthio groups, alkyloxysulfonyl groups, aryloxysulfonyl groups, cycloalkylaryloxysulfonyl groups, and the like. Alkyl groups substituted with fluorine atoms are preferred.

  Examples of other non-nucleophilic anions include fluorinated phosphorus, fluorinated boron, and fluorinated antimony.

Examples of the non-nucleophilic anion of Z ⁻ include an aliphatic sulfonate anion in which the α-position of the sulfonic acid is substituted with a fluorine atom, an aromatic sulfonate anion substituted with a fluorine atom or a group having a fluorine atom, and an alkyl group. A bis (alkylsulfonyl) imide anion substituted with a fluorine atom and a tris (alkylsulfonyl) methide anion wherein an alkyl group is substituted with a fluorine atom are preferred. The non-nucleophilic anion is more preferably a perfluoroaliphatic sulfonic acid anion having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, a benzenesulfonic acid anion having a fluorine atom, still more preferably a nonafluorobutanesulfonic acid anion, a perfluorooctanesulfonic acid anion, It is a pentafluorobenzenesulfonic acid anion and 3,5-bis (trifluoromethyl) benzenesulfonic acid anion.

Examples of the organic group as R ₂₀₁ , R ₂₀₂ and R ₂₀₃ include the corresponding groups in the compounds (ZI-1), (ZI-2) and (ZI-3) described later.

In addition, the compound which has two or more structures represented by general formula (ZI) may be sufficient. For example, the general formula at least one of R ₂₀₁ to R ₂₀₃ of a compound represented by (ZI) is, at least one bond with structure of R ₂₀₁ to R ₂₀₃ of another compound represented by formula (ZI) It may be a compound.

  More preferable (ZI) components include compounds (ZI-1), (ZI-2), and (ZI-3) described below.

Compound (ZI-1) is at least one of R ₂₀₁ to R ₂₀₃ in formula (ZI) is an aryl group, an aryl sulfonium compounds, i.e., compounds containing an arylsulfonium as a cation.

In the arylsulfonium compound, all of R _{201 to} R ₂₀₃ may be an aryl group, or a part of R _{201 to} R ₂₀₃ may be an aryl group with the remaining being an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group.

  Examples of the arylsulfonium compound include triarylsulfonium compounds, diarylalkylsulfonium compounds, aryldialkylsulfonium compounds, diarylcycloalkylsulfonium compounds, and aryldicycloalkylsulfonium compounds.

  The aryl group of the arylsulfonium compound is preferably a phenyl group or a naphthyl group, and more preferably a phenyl group. The aryl group may be an aryl group having a heterocyclic structure having an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom or the like. Examples of the aryl group having a heterocyclic structure include a pyrrole residue (a group formed by losing one hydrogen atom from pyrrole) and a furan residue (a group formed by losing one hydrogen atom from furan). Groups), thiophene residues (groups formed by the loss of one hydrogen atom from thiophene), indole residues (groups formed by the loss of one hydrogen atom from indole), benzofuran residues ( A group formed by losing one hydrogen atom from benzofuran), a benzothiophene residue (a group formed by losing one hydrogen atom from benzothiophene), and the like. When the arylsulfonium compound has two or more aryl groups, the two or more aryl groups may be the same or different.

  The alkyl group or cycloalkyl group that the arylsulfonium compound has as necessary is preferably a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms and a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 15 carbon atoms, such as a methyl group, Examples thereof include an ethyl group, a propyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a t-butyl group, a cyclopropyl group, a cyclobutyl group, and a cyclohexyl group.

Aryl group, alkyl group of R ₂₀₁ to R _203, cycloalkyl group, an alkyl group (for example, 1 to 15 carbon atoms), a cycloalkyl group (for example, 3 to 15 carbon atoms), an aryl group (for example, 6 to 14 carbon atoms) , An alkoxy group (for example, having 1 to 15 carbon atoms), a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or a phenylthio group may be substituted. Preferred substituents are linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl groups having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, and linear, branched or cyclic alkoxy groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably carbon. These are an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The substituent may be substituted with any one of the three R _{201 to} R ₂₀₃ , or may be substituted with all three. When R _{201 to} R ₂₀₃ are an aryl group, the substituent is preferably substituted at the p-position of the aryl group.

Next, the compound (ZI-2) will be described.
The compound (ZI-2) is a compound in which R _{201 to} R ₂₀₃ in the general formula (ZI) each independently represents an organic group having no aromatic ring. Here, the aromatic ring includes an aromatic ring containing a hetero atom.

The organic group having no aromatic ring as R ₂₀₁ to R ₂₀₃ generally has 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

R _{201 to} R ₂₀₃ are each independently preferably an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an allyl group, or a vinyl group, more preferably a linear or branched 2-oxoalkyl group, 2-oxocycloalkyl group, alkoxy group. A carbonylmethyl group, particularly preferably a linear or branched 2-oxoalkyl group.

The alkyl group and cycloalkyl group of R ₂₀₁ to R _203, preferably a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms (e.g., methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, butyl group, pentyl group), carbon Examples thereof include cycloalkyl groups of several 3 to 10 (cyclopentyl group, cyclohexyl group, norbornyl group). More preferred examples of the alkyl group include a 2-oxoalkyl group and an alkoxycarbonylmethyl group. More preferred examples of the cycloalkyl group include a 2-oxocycloalkyl group.

The 2-oxoalkyl group may be either linear or branched, and a group having> C = O at the 2-position of the above alkyl group is preferable.
The 2-oxocycloalkyl group is preferably a group having> C═O at the 2-position of the cycloalkyl group.

  The alkoxy group in the alkoxycarbonylmethyl group is preferably an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms (methoxy group, ethoxy group, propoxy group, butoxy group, pentoxy group).

R _{201 to} R ₂₀₃ may be further substituted with a halogen atom, an alkoxy group (for example, having 1 to 5 carbon atoms), a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, or a nitro group.

  The compound (ZI-3) is a compound represented by the following general formula (ZI-3), and is a compound having a phenacylsulfonium salt structure.

In general formula (ZI-3),
R _{1c to} R _5c each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkoxy group or a halogen atom.
R _6c and R _7c each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group.
R _x and R _y each independently represents an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an allyl group or a vinyl group.
Any two or more of R _{1c to} R _5c , R _6c and R _7c , and R _x and R _y may be bonded to each other to form a ring structure, and this ring structure includes an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom. , An ester bond and an amide bond may be included. Examples of the group formed by combining any two or more of R _{1c to} R _5c , R _6c and R _7c , and R _x and R _y include a butylene group and a pentylene group.
Zc ⁻ represents a non-nucleophilic anion, and examples thereof include the same non-nucleophilic anion as Z ^{− in} formula (ZI).

The alkyl group as R _{1c to} R _7c may be either linear or branched, for example, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms ( Examples thereof include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a linear or branched propyl group, a linear or branched butyl group, and a linear or branched pentyl group. Examples of the cycloalkyl group include cyclohexane having 3 to 8 carbon atoms. An alkyl group (for example, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group) can be mentioned.

The alkoxy group as R _{1c to} R _{5c may} be linear, branched or cyclic, for example, an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. (For example, methoxy group, ethoxy group, linear or branched propoxy group, linear or branched butoxy group, linear or branched pentoxy group), C3-C8 cyclic alkoxy group (for example, cyclopentyloxy group, cyclohexyloxy group) ).

Preferably, any of R _{1c to} R _5c is a linear or branched alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, or a linear, branched or cyclic alkoxy group, and more preferably the sum of the carbon number of R _{1c to} R _5c. Is 2-15. Thereby, solvent solubility improves more and generation | occurrence | production of a particle is suppressed at the time of a preservation | save.

_Examples of the alkyl group and cycloalkyl group as R _x and R _y include the same alkyl group and cycloalkyl group as in R _{1c to} R _7c , such as a 2-oxoalkyl group, a 2-oxocycloalkyl group, an alkoxy group. A carbonylmethyl group is more preferred.

Examples of the 2-oxoalkyl group and 2-oxocycloalkyl group include a group having> C═O at the 2-position of the alkyl group or cycloalkyl group as R _{1c to} R _7c .

Examples of the alkoxy group in the alkoxycarbonylmethyl group include the same alkoxy groups as in R _{1c to} R _5c .

R _x and R _y are preferably an alkyl group or cycloalkyl group having 4 or more carbon atoms, more preferably 6 or more, and still more preferably 8 or more alkyl groups or cycloalkyl groups.

In the general formulas (ZII) and (ZIII),
R ₂₀₄ to R ₂₀₇ each independently represents an aryl group, an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group.

Phenyl group and a naphthyl group are preferred as the aryl group of R ₂₀₄ to R _207, more preferably a phenyl group. Aryl group R ₂₀₄ to R ₂₀₇ represents an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, may be an aryl group having a heterocyclic structure having a sulfur atom and the like. Examples of the aryl group having a heterocyclic structure include a pyrrole residue (a group formed by losing one hydrogen atom from pyrrole) and a furan residue (a group formed by losing one hydrogen atom from furan). Groups), thiophene residues (groups formed by the loss of one hydrogen atom from thiophene), indole residues (groups formed by the loss of one hydrogen atom from indole), benzofuran residues ( A group formed by losing one hydrogen atom from benzofuran), a benzothiophene residue (a group formed by losing one hydrogen atom from benzothiophene), and the like.

The alkyl group and cycloalkyl group in R ₂₀₄ to R _207, preferably a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms (e.g., methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, butyl group, pentyl group), carbon Examples thereof include cycloalkyl groups of several 3 to 10 (cyclopentyl group, cyclohexyl group, norbornyl group).

Aryl group, alkyl group of R ₂₀₄ to R _207, cycloalkyl groups may have a substituent. Aryl group, alkyl group of R ₂₀₄ to R _207, the cycloalkyl group substituent which may be possessed by, for example, an alkyl group (for example, 1 to 15 carbon atoms), a cycloalkyl group (for example, 3 to 15 carbon atoms ), An aryl group (for example, having 6 to 15 carbon atoms), an alkoxy group (for example, having 1 to 15 carbon atoms), a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, and a phenylthio group.

Z ⁻ represents a non-nucleophilic anion, and examples thereof include the same as the non-nucleophilic anion of Z ^{− in} formula (ZI).

  Examples of the acid generator further include compounds represented by the following general formulas (ZIV), (ZV), and (ZVI).

In the general formulas (ZIV) to (ZVI),
Ar ₃ and Ar ₄ each independently represents an aryl group.
R ₂₀₈ , R ₂₀₉ and R ₂₁₀ each independently represents an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group or an aryl group.
A represents an alkylene group, an alkenylene group or an arylene group.

  Further, the acid generator is preferably a compound that generates an acid having one sulfonic acid group or imide group, more preferably a compound that generates monovalent perfluoroalkanesulfonic acid, or a monovalent fluorine atom or fluorine atom. A compound that generates an aromatic sulfonic acid substituted with a group containing fluorinated acid, or a compound that generates a monovalent fluorine atom or imide acid substituted with a group containing a fluorine atom, and even more preferably, It is a sulfonium salt of a substituted alkanesulfonic acid, a fluorine-substituted benzenesulfonic acid, a fluorine-substituted imide acid or a fluorine-substituted methide acid. The acid generator that can be used is particularly preferably a fluorinated substituted alkane sulfonic acid, a fluorinated substituted benzene sulfonic acid or a fluorinated substituted imido acid whose pKa of the generated acid is pKa = -1 or less, and the sensitivity is improved. .

  Among acid generators, particularly preferred examples are listed below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

An acid generator can be used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types.
The content of the acid generator in the positive photosensitive composition is preferably 0.1 to 20% by mass, more preferably 0.5 to 10% by mass, based on the total solid content of the positive photosensitive composition. More preferably, it is 1-7 mass%.

(B) Resin containing a repeating unit that is decomposed by heat to lower the molecular weight and whose dissolution rate in an alkaline developer is increased by the action of an acid

The resin used in the positive photosensitive composition of the present invention is a resin that decomposes by the action of an acid and increases the solubility in an alkaline developer, and the main chain or side chain of the resin, or the main chain and side chain of the resin. Both of them have a resin ("acid-decomposable resin", "acid-decomposable resin (B)" or "having a group capable of decomposing by the action of an acid to generate an alkali-soluble group (hereinafter also referred to as" acid-decomposable group "). Resin (B) ").
Alkali-soluble groups include phenolic hydroxyl groups, carboxylic acid groups, fluorinated alcohol groups, sulfonic acid groups, sulfonamido groups, sulfonylimide groups, (alkylsulfonyl) (alkylcarbonyl) methylene groups, (alkylsulfonyl) (alkylcarbonyl) Imido group, bis (alkylcarbonyl) methylene group, bis (alkylcarbonyl) imide group, bis (alkylsulfonyl) methylene group, bis (alkylsulfonyl) imide group, tris (alkylcarbonyl) methylene group, tris (alkylsulfonyl) methylene group A group having
Preferred alkali-soluble groups include carboxylic acid groups, fluorinated alcohol groups (preferably hexafluoroisopropanol), and sulfonic acid groups.
A preferred group as an acid-decomposable group (acid-decomposable group) is a group obtained by substituting the hydrogen atom of these alkali-soluble groups with a group capable of leaving with an acid.
Examples of the group leaving with an acid include -C (R ₃₆ ) (R ₃₇ ) (R ₃₈ ), -C (R ₃₆ ) (R ₃₇ ) (OR ₃₉ ), -C (R ₀₁ ) (R ₀₂ ). ) (OR ₃₉ ) and the like.
In the formula, R _{36 to} R ₃₉ each independently represents an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group, or an alkenyl group. R ₃₆ and R ₃₇ may be bonded to each other to form a ring.
R _{01 and} R ₀₂ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group or an alkenyl group.
The acid-decomposable group is preferably a cumyl ester group, an enol ester group, an acetal ester group, a tertiary alkyl ester group or the like. More preferably, it is a tertiary alkyl ester group.

The resin (B) contains a repeating unit that is decomposed by heat and decreases in molecular weight.
By adding such a structure, when the thermal flow process is performed, a very good flow property is exhibited. Although the mechanism by which this effect is obtained is not clear, the low molecular component produced by the decomposition of the structure that decomposes by heat works as a plasticizer in the resist film, and has the effect of reducing Tg in the film. Presumed. This makes it possible to obtain excellent flow properties even when using a resin (B) having a relatively high Tg, which has conventionally been difficult to perform thermal flow, and to achieve both flow properties and other performances. It has become possible.

Examples of the repeating unit (thermally decomposable repeating unit) that is decomposed by heat to lower the molecular weight include a repeating unit containing a thermally decomposable group that decomposes by heat.
The thermal decomposable repeating unit may be a main chain decomposing type in which the polymer main chain decomposes or a side chain decomposing type in which the polymer side chain decomposes, but has a group (thermodegradable group) that decomposes by heat in the side chain. Side chain decomposition type is preferred.
As the thermally decomposable group, a structure in which decomposition starts at 80 to 250 ° C. (that is, the decomposition start temperature is 80 to 250 ° C.) is preferable. A structure having a decomposition start temperature of 100 ° C. or higher and 200 ° C. or lower is more preferable, and a structure of 110 ° C. or higher and 180 ° C. or lower is particularly preferable.
The decomposition start temperature is a temperature at which weight reduction starts in thermogravimetric analysis.
As such a thermally decomposable group, a structure represented by the following general formula (II) is preferable.

In formula (II),
X represents a methylene group, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.
Rq, Rr, Rx, Ry, and Rz each independently represent a linking group or a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an ester group, a carboxyl group, or a hydroxyl group.

  As the linking group, a single bond, an alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a polyethyleneoxy group, and a group represented by the following general formula (II-L) are preferable.

  Here, P represents a polymer main chain, and Rp represents an alkylene or polyethyleneoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

  As the thermally decomposable repeating unit, a repeating unit represented by any one of the following formulas (II-a) to (II-c) is preferable.

In the formulas (II-a) to (II-c),
Ra to Rm each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an ester group, a carboxyl group, or a hydroxyl group.
X represents a methylene group, an oxygen atom, or a sulfur atom.
L represents an alkylene group or a polyethyleneoxy group, and an alkylene group is more preferable. Preferred alkylene groups have 1 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms. R ₆ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl group.

Ra to Rm each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an ester group, a carboxyl group, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, or a phenyl group. Here, the alkyl group represents a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group, and may have a substituent.
Preferred linear and branched alkyl groups have 1 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, isopropyl group, butyl group, isobutyl group, and t-butyl group. A methyl group and an ethyl group are preferred. A preferable cyclic alkyl group has 3 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably 5 to 6 carbon atoms, and a cyclohexyl group and a cyclopentyl group are particularly preferable.
Ra to Rm are particularly preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group.

  The partial structure of the formula (II) can be synthesized by a general method such as Diels-Alder reaction.

  Preferred specific examples of the repeating unit represented by formula (II) are shown below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

  The content of such thermally decomposable repeating units is preferably from 1 to 40 mol%, more preferably from 2 to 30 mol%, particularly preferably from 5 to 20 mol%, based on all repeating units of the resin (B). .

  When the positive photosensitive composition of the present invention is irradiated with ArF excimer laser light, the resin of component (B) has a monocyclic or polycyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure and is decomposed by the action of an acid. A resin that increases the solubility in an alkali developer is preferable.

  As a resin that has a monocyclic or polycyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure, decomposes by the action of an acid, and increases its solubility in an alkaline developer (hereinafter also referred to as “alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin”) , At least selected from the group consisting of repeating units having a partial structure containing an alicyclic hydrocarbon represented by the following general formula (pI) to general formula (pV) and repeating units represented by the following general formula (II-AB) It is preferable that it is resin containing 1 type.

In general formulas (pI) to (pV),
R ₁₁ represents a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, an isobutyl group or a sec-butyl group, and Z is an atom necessary for forming a cycloalkyl group together with a carbon atom. Represents a group.
R _{12 to} R ₁₆ each independently represents a linear or branched alkyl group or cycloalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, provided that at least one of R _{12 to} R ₁₄ , or R ₁₅ , Any of R ₁₆ is preferably a cycloalkyl group.
R _{17 to} R ₂₁ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a cycloalkyl group, provided that at least one of R _{17 to} R ₂₁ is cyclo An alkyl group is preferred. Further, either R ₁₉ or R ₂₁ represents a linear or branched alkyl group or cycloalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
R _{22 to} R ₂₅ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a cycloalkyl group, provided that at least one of R _{22 to} R ₂₅ is cyclo An alkyl group is preferred. R ₂₃ and R ₂₄ may be bonded to each other to form a ring.

In the formula (II-AB),
R ₁₁ ′ and R ₁₂ ′ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, a halogen atom or an alkyl group.
Z ′ represents an atomic group for forming an alicyclic structure containing two bonded carbon atoms (C—C).

  The general formula (II-AB) is more preferably the following general formula (II-AB1) or general formula (II-AB2).

In the formulas (II-AB1) and (II-AB2),
R ₁₃ ′ to R ₁₆ ′ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, —COOH, —COOR ₅ , a group that decomposes by the action of an acid, —C (═O) —XA′—R. ₁₇ ′ represents an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group.
Here, R ₅ represents an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, or a group having a lactone structure.
X represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, -NH -, - NHSO ₂ - or an -NHSO ₂ NH-.
A ′ represents a single bond or a divalent linking group.
Further, at least two of R ₁₃ ′ to R ₁₆ ′ may be bonded to form a ring. n represents 0 or 1.
R ₁₇ ′ represents —COOH, —COOR ₅ , —CN, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, —CO—NH—R ₆ , —CO—NH—SO ₂ —R ₆ or a group having a lactone structure.
R ₆ represents an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group.

In the general formulas (pI) to (pV), the alkyl group in R _{12 to} R ₂₅ is preferably a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

The cycloalkyl group in R _{11 to} R ₂₅ or the cycloalkyl group formed by Z and the carbon atom may be monocyclic or polycyclic. Specific examples include groups having a monocyclo, bicyclo, tricyclo, tetracyclo structure or the like having 5 or more carbon atoms. The carbon number is preferably 6-30, and particularly preferably 7-25. These cycloalkyl groups may have a substituent.

  Preferred cycloalkyl groups include adamantyl group, noradamantyl group, decalin residue, tricyclodecanyl group, tetracyclododecanyl group, norbornyl group, cedrol group, cyclopentyl group, cyclohexyl group, cycloheptyl group, cyclooctyl group, A cyclodecanyl group and a cyclododecanyl group can be mentioned. More preferable examples include an adamantyl group, norbornyl group, cyclohexyl group, cyclopentyl group, tetracyclododecanyl group, and tricyclodecanyl group.

  As further substituents of these alkyl groups and cycloalkyl groups, alkyl groups (1 to 4 carbon atoms), halogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, alkoxy groups (1 to 4 carbon atoms), carboxyl groups, alkoxycarbonyl groups (carbon numbers) 2-6). Examples of the substituent that the alkyl group, alkoxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group and the like may further have include a hydroxyl group, a halogen atom, and an alkoxy group.

  The structures represented by the general formulas (pI) to (pV) in the resin can be used for protecting alkali-soluble groups. Examples of the alkali-soluble group include various groups known in this technical field.

  Specific examples include a structure in which a hydrogen atom of a carboxylic acid group, a sulfonic acid group, a phenol group, or a thiol group is substituted with a structure represented by the general formulas (pI) to (PV), preferably a carboxylic acid Group, the hydrogen atom of a sulfonic acid group is the structure substituted by the structure represented by general formula (pI)-(PV).

  As the repeating unit having an alkali-soluble group protected by the structure represented by the general formulas (pI) to (pV), a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (pA) is preferable.

Here, R represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. A plurality of R may be the same or different.
A represents a single bond, an alkylene group, an ether group, a thioether group, a carbonyl group, an ester group, an amide group, a sulfonamide group, a urethane group, or a urea group, or a combination of two or more groups. Represents. A single bond is preferable.
Rp1 represents any group of the above formulas (pI) to (pV).

  The repeating unit represented by the general formula (pA) is most preferably a repeating unit of 2-alkyl-2-adamantyl (meth) acrylate and dialkyl (1-adamantyl) methyl (meth) acrylate.

  Specific examples of the repeating unit represented by the general formula (pA) are shown below.

Examples of the halogen atom in R ₁₁ ′ and R ₁₂ ′ include a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, a fluorine atom, and an iodine atom.

Examples of the alkyl group in R ₁₁ ′ and R ₁₂ ′ include a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

The atomic group for forming the alicyclic structure of Z ′ is an atomic group that forms a repeating unit of an alicyclic hydrocarbon which may have a substituent in a resin, and among them, a bridged type alicyclic group. An atomic group for forming a bridged alicyclic structure forming a cyclic hydrocarbon repeating unit is preferred.
Examples of the skeleton of the alicyclic hydrocarbon formed include the same alicyclic hydrocarbon groups as R _{11 to} R _{25 in} the general formulas (pI) to (pVI).
The alicyclic hydrocarbon skeleton may have a substituent. Examples of such a substituent include R ₁₃ ′ to R ₁₆ ′ in the general formula (II-AB1) or (II-AB2).

In the resin (B) according to the present invention, the group capable of decomposing by the action of an acid is a repeating unit having a partial structure containing an alicyclic hydrocarbon represented by the general formula (pI) to the general formula (pV), It can contain in at least 1 sort (s) of a repeating unit represented by a formula (II-AB), and the repeating unit of a postscript copolymerization component.
One acid-decomposable repeating unit may be used, but it is preferable to use two or more acid-decomposable repeating units having different numbers of carbon atoms in the acid leaving group. Thereby, the balance between the resolution and the exposure latitude is improved.

Various substituents of R ₁₃ ′ to R ₁₆ ′ in the general formula (II-AB1) or the general formula (II-AB2) are atomic groups for forming an alicyclic structure in the general formula (II-AB). It can also be a substituent of the atomic group Z for forming a bridged alicyclic structure.

  Specific examples of the repeating unit represented by the general formula (II-AB1) or (II-AB2) include the following specific examples, but the present invention is not limited to these specific examples.

  The resin (B) of the present invention preferably has a lactone group. As the lactone group, any group can be used as long as it contains a lactone structure, but preferably a group containing a 5- to 7-membered ring lactone structure, and a bicyclo structure in the 5- to 7-membered ring lactone structure, Those in which other ring structures are condensed to form a spiro structure are preferred. It is more preferable to have a repeating unit having a group having a lactone structure represented by any of the following general formulas (LC1-1) to (LC1-16). Further, a group having a lactone structure may be directly bonded to the main chain. Preferred lactone structures are (LC1-1) (LC1-4) (LC1-5) (LC1-6) (LC1-13) (LC1-14). By using a specific lactone structure, line edge roughness, Development defects are improved.

  The lactone structure portion may or may not have a substituent (Rb2). As preferred substituents (Rb2), an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 4 to 7 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a carboxyl group, Examples thereof include a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, and an acid-decomposable group. When n2 is 2 or more, a plurality of Rb2s may be the same or different, and a plurality of Rb2s may be bonded to form a ring.

As the repeating unit having a group having a lactone structure represented by any of the general formulas (LC1-1) to (LC1-16), R _{13 in the} above general formula (II-A) or (II-B) may be used. Wherein at least one of 'to R ₁₆ ' has a group represented by the general formulas (LC1-1) to (LC1-16) (for example, R _{5 of} -COOR ₅ is represented by the general formulas (LC1-1) to (LC1) -16) or a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (AI).

In general formula (AI),
R _b0 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or an alkyl group (preferably having 1 to 4 carbon atoms). Preferable substituents that the alkyl group for R _b0 may have include a hydroxyl group and a halogen atom.

Examples of the halogen atom for R _b0 include a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, and an iodine atom. R _b0 is preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

A _b is a single bond, an alkylene group, a divalent linking group having a monocyclic or polycyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure, an ether group, an ester group, a carbonyl group, a carboxyl group, or a divalent group obtained by combining these. Represents. Preferred is a single bond or a linking group represented by -Ab1-CO2-. Ab1 is a linear, branched alkylene group, monocyclic or polycyclic cycloalkylene group, preferably a methylene group, an ethylene group, a cyclohexyl group, an adamantyl group, or a norbornyl group.

  V represents a group having a lactone structure. Preferably, it represents a group represented by any one of formulas (LC1-1) to (LC1-16).

The repeating unit having a lactone structure usually has an optical isomer, but any optical isomer may be used. One optical isomer may be used alone, or a plurality of optical isomers may be mixed and used. When one kind of optical isomer is mainly used, the optical purity (ee) thereof is preferably 90 or more, more preferably 95 or more.
The content of the repeating unit having a lactone structure is preferably from 15 to 60 mol%, more preferably from 20 to 50 mol%, still more preferably from 30 to 50 mol%, based on all repeating units in the polymer.
Specific examples of the repeating unit having a group having a lactone structure are given below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

(In the formula, Rx represents H, CH ₃ , CH ₂ OH, or CF _3. )

  Most preferred examples of the repeating unit having a lactone group include the following repeating units. By selecting the optimum lactone structure, the pattern profile and the density dependence become good.

  The resin (B) of the present invention preferably contains a repeating unit having an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure substituted with a polar group. This improves the substrate adhesion and developer compatibility. The alicyclic hydrocarbon structure of the alicyclic hydrocarbon structure substituted with a polar group is preferably an adamantyl group, a diamantyl group, or a norbornane group. The polar group is preferably a hydroxyl group or a cyano group. As the alicyclic hydrocarbon structure substituted with a preferable polar group, partial structures represented by (VIIa) to (VIId) are preferable.

In general formulas (VIIa) to (VIIc), R _{2c to} R _4c each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or a cyano group. However, at least one of R _{2c to} R _4c represents a hydroxyl group or a cyano group. Preferably, one or two of R _{2c to} R _4c are a hydroxyl group and the rest are hydrogen atoms. In (VIIa), more preferably, two of R _{2c to} R _4c are a hydroxyl group and the remainder is a hydrogen atom.

As the repeating unit having a group represented by the general formulas (VIIa) to (VIId), at least one of R ₁₃ ′ to R ₁₆ ′ in the general formula (II-A) or (II-B) is the above. Those having a group represented by the general formula (VII) (for example, R _{5 of} —COOR ₅ represents a group represented by the general formula (VII)), or a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (AII) Can be mentioned.

In the general formulas (AIIa) and (AIIb), R _1c represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, or a hydroxymethyl group.
The content of the repeating unit having an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure substituted with a polar group is preferably 5 to 40 mol%, more preferably 5 to 30 mol%, still more preferably 10 to 25 mol, based on all repeating units in the polymer. %.

  Specific examples of the repeating unit having a structure represented by the general formulas (AIIa) and (AIIb) are given below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

  The resin (B) of the present invention may contain a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (VIII).

In the general formula (VIII), Z ₂ represents —O— or —N (R ₄₁ ) —. R ₄₁ represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group, or —OSO ₂ —R ₄₂ . R ₄₂ represents an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group or a camphor residue. The alkyl group of R ₄₁ and R ₄₂ may be substituted with a halogen atom (preferably a fluorine atom) or the like.

  Examples of the repeating unit represented by the general formula (VIII) include the following specific examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

  The resin (B) of the present invention preferably has a repeating unit having an alkali-soluble group. As the alkali-soluble group, a carboxyl group, a sulfonamide group, a sulfonylimide group, a bisulsulfonylimide group, an aliphatic alcohol in which the α-position is substituted with an electron-withdrawing group (preferably a structure represented by the following general formula (F1)) It is more preferable to have a repeating unit having a carboxyl group.

In general formula (F1),
R _{50 to} R ₅₅ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom or an alkyl group. However, at least one of R _{50 to} R ₅₅ represents a fluorine atom or an alkyl group in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted with a fluorine atom, and all of R _{50 to} R ₅₅ are preferably fluorine atoms. .
By containing the repeating unit having an alkali-soluble group, the resolution in contact hole applications is increased. The repeating unit having an alkali-soluble group includes a repeating unit in which an alkali-soluble group is directly bonded to the main chain of the resin, such as a repeating unit of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, or an alkali in the main chain of the resin through a linking group. Either a repeating unit to which a soluble group is bonded, or a polymerization initiator or chain transfer agent having an alkali-soluble group is used at the time of polymerization and introduced at the end of the polymer chain, and the linking group is monocyclic or polycyclic. It may have a cyclic hydrocarbon structure. Most preferred are acrylic acid and methacrylic acid.
As for content of the repeating unit which has an alkali-soluble group, 1-20 mol% is preferable with respect to all the repeating units in a polymer, More preferably, it is 3-15 mol%, More preferably, it is 5-10 mol%.

  Specific examples of the repeating unit having an alkali-soluble group are shown below.

  The resin (B) of the present invention may further contain a repeating unit having an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure and not exhibiting acid decomposability. This can reduce the elution of low molecular components from the resist film to the immersion liquid during immersion exposure. Examples of such a repeating unit include 1-adamantyl (meth) acrylate, tricyclodecanyl (meth) acrylate, and cyclohexyl (meth) acrylate.

  The resin (B) of the present invention has, in addition to the above repeating structural units, dry etching resistance, standard developer suitability, substrate adhesion, resist profile, and general required characteristics of resist, resolving power, heat resistance, sensitivity. Various repeating structural units can be contained for the purpose of adjusting the above.

  Examples of such repeating structural units include, but are not limited to, repeating structural units corresponding to the following monomers.

Thereby, the performance required for the resin (B), in particular,
(1) Solubility in coating solvent,
(2) Film formability (glass transition point),
(3) Alkali developability,
(4) Membrane slip (hydrophobic, alkali-soluble group selection),
(5) Adhesion of unexposed part to substrate,
(6) Dry etching resistance,
Etc. can be finely adjusted.

  As such a monomer, for example, a compound having one addition polymerizable unsaturated bond selected from acrylic acid esters, methacrylic acid esters, acrylamides, methacrylamides, allyl compounds, vinyl ethers, vinyl esters, etc. Etc.

  In addition, any addition-polymerizable unsaturated compound that can be copolymerized with monomers corresponding to the above various repeating structural units may be copolymerized.

  In the resin (B), the content molar ratio of each repeating structural unit is the resist dry etching resistance, standard developer suitability, substrate adhesion, resist profile, and the general required performance of the resist, resolving power, heat resistance, sensitivity. It is set appropriately in order to adjust etc.

The following are mentioned as a preferable aspect of resin (B) of this invention.
(1) What contains the repeating unit which has a partial structure containing the alicyclic hydrocarbon represented by said general formula (pI)-(pV) (side chain type). Preferably those containing (meth) acrylate repeating units having a structure of (pI) to (pV).
(2) Containing repeating units represented by general formula (II-AB) (main chain type)
However, in (2), for example, the following can be further mentioned.
(3) A repeating unit represented by the general formula (II-AB), a maleic anhydride derivative and a (meth) acrylate structure (hybrid type)
In the resin (B), the content of the repeating unit having an acid-decomposable group is preferably 10 to 60 mol%, more preferably 20 to 50 mol%, still more preferably 25 to 40 mol% in all repeating structural units. is there.

  In the resin (B), the content of the repeating unit represented by the general formula (II-AB) is preferably 10 to 60 mol%, more preferably 15 to 55 mol%, still more preferably 20 in all repeating structural units. ˜50 mol%.

  In addition, the content of the repeating structural unit based on the monomer of the further copolymer component in the resin can also be appropriately set according to the performance of the desired resist. ) To 99 p% of the total number of moles of the repeating structural unit having a partial structure containing an alicyclic hydrocarbon represented by (pV) and the repeating unit represented by the general formula (II-AB). The following is preferable, More preferably, it is 90 mol% or less, More preferably, it is 80 mol% or less.

  The resin (B) used in the present invention is preferably one in which all of the repeating units are composed of (meth) acrylate repeating units. In this case, all of the repeating units may be methacrylate, all of the repeating units may be acrylate, or a methacrylate / acrylate mixture. More preferably 20 to 50% of repeating units having a partial structure containing an alicyclic hydrocarbon represented by general formulas (pI) to (pV), 20 to 50% of repeating units containing the lactone structure, and the polar group A terpolymer copolymer containing 5 to 30% of repeating units having an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure substituted with or a quaternary copolymer containing 0 to 20% of other repeating units.

The resin (B) used in the present invention can be synthesized according to a conventional method (for example, radical polymerization).
For example, as a general synthesis method, a monomer polymerization method in which a monomer species and an initiator are dissolved in a solvent and the polymerization is performed by heating, and a solution of the monomer species and the initiator is dropped into the heating solvent over 1 to 10 hours. The dropping polymerization method is added, and the dropping polymerization method is preferable.

  Examples of the reaction solvent include ethers such as tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, diisopropyl ether, ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone, ester solvents such as ethyl acetate, amide solvents such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide, Furthermore, the solvent which melt | dissolves the composition of this invention like the below-mentioned propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, and cyclohexanone is mentioned. More preferably, the polymerization is performed using the same solvent as the solvent used in the photosensitive composition of the present invention. Thereby, the generation of particles during storage can be suppressed.

  The polymerization reaction is preferably performed in an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen or argon. As a polymerization initiator, a commercially available radical initiator (azo initiator, peroxide, etc.) is used to initiate the polymerization. As the radical initiator, an azo initiator is preferable, and an azo initiator having an ester group, a cyano group, or a carboxyl group is preferable. Preferred initiators include azobisisobutyronitrile, azobisdimethylvaleronitrile, dimethyl 2,2′-azobis (2-methylpropionate) and the like. A chain transfer agent such as a thiol compound may be used in combination with the polymerization initiator. If desired, an initiator is added or added in portions, and after completion of the reaction, it is put into a solvent and a desired polymer is recovered by a method such as powder or solid recovery. The concentration of the reaction is 5 to 50% by mass, preferably 10 to 30% by mass. The reaction temperature is usually 10 ° C to 150 ° C, preferably 30 ° C to 120 ° C, more preferably 60-100 ° C.

  The weight average molecular weight of the resin (B) of the present invention is preferably 1,000 to 200,000, more preferably 3,000 to 20,000, and most preferably 5,000 as a polystyrene conversion value by GPC method. ~ 15,000. By setting the weight average molecular weight to 1,000 to 200,000, deterioration of heat resistance and dry etching resistance can be prevented, developability is deteriorated, and viscosity is increased, resulting in deterioration of film forming property. Can be prevented. The molecular weight distribution is usually 1 to 5, preferably 1 to 3, more preferably 1 to 2. The smaller the molecular weight distribution, the better the resolution and the resist shape, and the smoother the side wall of the resist pattern, the better the roughness.

In the photosensitive composition of the present invention, the blending amount of all the resins according to the present invention in the entire composition is preferably 60 to 99% by mass, more preferably 80 to 98% by mass in the total solid content.
In the present invention, the resin (B) may be used alone or in combination.

  Other components that can be contained in the positive photosensitive composition of the present invention are described below.

Dissolution inhibitor The positive photosensitive composition of the present invention has at least one selected from an alkali-soluble group, a hydrophilic group, and an acid-decomposable group and has a molecular weight of 3000 or less (hereinafter referred to as a “solubility control compound”, (Also referred to as “dissolution control agent”).
Examples of the dissolution control compound include a carboxyl group, a sulfonylimide group, a compound having an alkali-soluble group such as a hydroxyl group substituted at the α-position with a fluoroalkyl group, a hydroxyl group, a lactone group, a cyano group, an amide group, a pyrrolidone group, a sulfone group. A compound having a hydrophilic group such as an amide group or a compound containing a group capable of decomposing by the action of an acid to release an alkali-soluble group or a hydrophilic group is preferable. The group capable of decomposing by the action of an acid to release an alkali-soluble group or a hydrophilic group is preferably a group in which a carboxyl group or a hydroxyl group is protected with an acid-decomposable group. In order not to lower the permeability of 220 nm or less as the dissolution control compound, it is preferable to use a compound that does not contain an aromatic ring, or to use a compound having an aromatic ring in an amount of 20 wt% or less based on the solid content of the composition.
Preferred dissolution control compounds include carboxylic acid compounds having an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure such as adamantane (di) carboxylic acid, norbornane carboxylic acid, and cholic acid, or compounds in which the carboxylic acid is protected with an acid-decomposable group, and polyols such as saccharides. Or a compound having its hydroxyl group protected with an acid-decomposable group is preferred.

  The molecular weight of the dissolution controlling compound in the present invention is 3000 or less, preferably 300 to 3000, and more preferably 500 to 2500.

  The addition amount of the dissolution control compound is preferably 3 to 40% by mass, more preferably 5 to 20% by mass, based on the solid content of the photosensitive composition.

  Specific examples of the dissolution control compound are shown below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Basic Compound The positive photosensitive composition of the present invention contains a basic compound in order to reduce the change in performance over time from exposure to heating or to control the diffusibility of the acid generated by exposure in the film. Is preferred.

Examples of basic compounds include nitrogen-containing basic compounds and onium salt compounds.
Preferable nitrogen-containing basic compound structures include compounds having partial structures represented by the following formulas (A) to (E).

Here, R ²⁵⁰ , R ²⁵¹ and R ²⁵² are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, R ²⁵⁰ and R ²⁵¹ may combine with each other to form a ring. These may have a substituent. Examples of the alkyl group and cycloalkyl group having a substituent include an aminoalkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aminocycloalkyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, and 1 to 1 carbon atoms. A 20 hydroxyalkyl group or a C 3-20 hydroxycycloalkyl group is preferred.
These may contain an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or a nitrogen atom in the alkyl chain.

In the formula, R ²⁵³ , R ²⁵⁴ , R ²⁵⁵ and R ²⁵⁶ each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms.

  Preferable compounds include guanidine, aminopyrrolidine, pyrazole, pyrazoline, piperazine, aminomorpholine, aminoalkylmorpholine, and piperidine, and may have a substituent. More preferable compounds include compounds having an imidazole structure, a diazabicyclo structure, an onium hydroxide structure, an onium carboxylate structure, a trialkylamine structure, an aniline structure or a pyridine structure, an alkylamine derivative having a hydroxyl group and / or an ether bond, a hydroxyl group and / or Or the aniline derivative which has an ether bond etc. can be mentioned.

  Examples of the compound having an imidazole structure include imidazole, 2,4,5-triphenylimidazole, benzimidazole, and the like. Examples of the compound having a diazabicyclo structure include 1,4-diazabicyclo [2,2,2] octane, 1,5-diazabicyclo [4,3,0] non-5-ene, and 1,8-diazabicyclo [5,4,0. ] Undec-7-ene. Examples of the compound having an onium hydroxide structure include triarylsulfonium hydroxide, phenacylsulfonium hydroxide, sulfonium hydroxide having a 2-oxoalkyl group, specifically triphenylsulfonium hydroxide, tris (t-butylphenyl) sulfonium. Examples thereof include hydroxide, bis (t-butylphenyl) iodonium hydroxide, phenacylthiophenium hydroxide, and 2-oxopropylthiophenium hydroxide. The compound having an onium carboxylate structure is a compound having an onium hydroxide structure in which the anion moiety is converted to a carboxylate, and examples thereof include acetate, adamantane-1-carboxylate, and perfluoroalkylcarboxylate. Examples of the compound having a trialkylamine structure include tri (n-butyl) amine and tri (n-octyl) amine. Examples of aniline compounds include 2,6-diisopropylaniline and N, N-dimethylaniline. Examples of the alkylamine derivative having a hydroxyl group and / or an ether bond include ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and tris (methoxyethoxyethyl) amine. Examples of aniline derivatives having a hydroxyl group and / or an ether bond include N, N-bis (hydroxyethyl) aniline.

  These basic compounds are used alone or in combination of two or more. The usage-amount of a basic compound is 0.001-10 mass% normally based on solid content of a positive photosensitive composition, Preferably it is 0.01-5 mass%. In order to obtain a sufficient addition effect, 0.001% by mass or more is preferable, and 10% by mass or less is preferable in terms of sensitivity and developability of the non-exposed area.

Fluorine and / or silicon surfactant The positive photosensitive composition of the present invention further comprises a fluorine and / or silicon surfactant (fluorine surfactant and silicon surfactant, fluorine atom and silicon atom). It is preferable to contain any one of these, or two or more of them.

  When the positive photosensitive composition of the present invention contains fluorine and / or a silicon-based surfactant, adhesion and development with good sensitivity and resolution when using an exposure light source of 250 nm or less, particularly 220 nm or less. A resist pattern with few defects can be provided.

  Examples of these fluorine and / or silicon surfactants include, for example, JP-A No. 62-36663, JP-A No. 61-226746, JP-A No. 61-226745, JP-A No. 62-170950, JP 63-34540 A, JP 7-230165 A, JP 8-62834 A, JP 9-54432 A, JP 9-5988 A, JP 2002-277862 A, US Patent Nos. 5,405,720, 5,360,692, 5,529,881, 5,296,330, 5,436,098, 5,576,143, 5,294,511, 5,824,451 Surfactant can be mentioned, The following commercially available surfactant can also be used as it is.

  Examples of commercially available surfactants that can be used include EFTOP EF301 and EF303 (manufactured by Shin-Akita Kasei Co., Ltd.), Florard FC430 and 431 (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.), MegaFuck F176, F189, and R08 (Dainippon Ink) Fluorosurfactant such as Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), Surflon S-382, SC101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 (Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.), Troisol S-366 (Troy Chemical Co., Ltd.) An agent or a silicon-based surfactant can be mentioned. Polysiloxane polymer KP-341 (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) can also be used as a silicon-based surfactant.

  In addition to the known surfactants described above, the surfactant is derived from a fluoroaliphatic compound produced by a telomerization method (also called telomer method) or an oligomerization method (also called oligomer method). A surfactant using a polymer having a fluoroaliphatic group can be used. The fluoroaliphatic compound can be synthesized by the method described in JP-A-2002-90991.

  As the polymer having a fluoroaliphatic group, a copolymer of a monomer having a fluoroaliphatic group and (poly (oxyalkylene)) acrylate and / or (poly (oxyalkylene)) methacrylate is preferable and distributed irregularly. It may be block copolymerized. Examples of the poly (oxyalkylene) group include a poly (oxyethylene) group, a poly (oxypropylene) group, a poly (oxybutylene) group, and the like, and a poly (oxyethylene, oxypropylene, and oxyethylene group). A unit having different chain lengths in the same chain length, such as a block link) or poly (block link of oxyethylene and oxypropylene) may be used. Furthermore, a copolymer of a monomer having a fluoroaliphatic group and (poly (oxyalkylene)) acrylate (or methacrylate) is not only a binary copolymer but also a monomer having two or more different fluoroaliphatic groups, Further, it may be a ternary or higher copolymer obtained by simultaneously copolymerizing two or more different (poly (oxyalkylene)) acrylates (or methacrylates).

Examples of commercially available surfactants include Megafac F178, F-470, F-473, F-475, F-476, and F-472 (Dainippon Ink Chemical Co., Ltd.). Further, a copolymer of an acrylate (or methacrylate) having a C ₆ F ₁₃ group and (poly (oxyalkylene)) acrylate (or methacrylate), an acrylate (or methacrylate) having a C ₆ F ₁₃ group and (poly (oxy) (Ethylene)) acrylate (or methacrylate) and (poly (oxypropylene)) acrylate (or methacrylate) copolymer, acrylate (or methacrylate) and (poly (oxyalkylene)) acrylate having C ₈ F ₁₇ groups (or Copolymer of acrylate (or methacrylate), (poly (oxyethylene)) acrylate (or methacrylate), and (poly (oxypropylene)) acrylate (or methacrylate) having a C ₈ F ₁₇ group Coalesce, etc. Can.

  The amount of fluorine and / or silicon-based surfactant used is preferably 0.0001 to 2% by mass, more preferably 0.001 to 1% by mass, based on the total amount of the positive photosensitive composition (excluding the solvent). %.

Solvent The photosensitive composition of the present invention is used by dissolving the above components in a predetermined organic solvent.

  Examples of the organic solvent that can be used include ethylene dichloride, cyclohexanone, cyclopentanone, 2-heptanone, γ-butyrolactone, methyl ethyl ketone, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, 2-methoxyethyl acetate, ethylene glycol monoethyl. Ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, toluene, ethyl acetate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, methyl methoxypropionate, ethyl ethoxypropionate, methyl pyruvate, ethyl pyruvate, propyl pyruvate, N, N -Dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidone, tetrahydrofuran, etc.

In the present invention, the organic solvent may be used alone or in combination, but it is preferable to use a mixed solvent containing two or more solvents having different functional groups. As a result, the solubility of the material is increased, and not only the generation of particles over time can be suppressed, but also a good pattern profile can be obtained. Preferable functional groups contained in the solvent include ester groups, lactone groups, hydroxyl groups, ketone groups, and carbonate groups. As the mixed solvent having different functional groups, the following mixed solvents (S1) to (S5) are preferable.
(S1) a mixed solvent obtained by mixing a solvent containing a hydroxyl group and a solvent not containing a hydroxyl group,
(S2) Mixed solvent in which a solvent having an ester structure and a solvent having a ketone structure are mixed (S3) A mixed solvent in which a solvent having an ester structure and a solvent having a lactone structure are mixed (S4) A solvent having an ester structure and a lactone Mixed solvent comprising a solvent having a structure and a solvent containing a hydroxyl group (S5) A solvent having an ester structure, a solvent having a carbonate structure, and a mixed solvent containing a hydroxyl group. Moreover, generation | occurrence | production of the defect at the time of application | coating can be suppressed.

  Examples of the solvent containing a hydroxyl group include ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethyl lactate, and the like. Particularly preferred are propylene glycol monomethyl ether and ethyl lactate.

  Examples of the solvent not containing a hydroxyl group include propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, ethyl ethoxypropionate, 2-heptanone, γ-butyrolactone, cyclohexanone, butyl acetate, N-methylpyrrolidone, N, N-dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and the like. Among these, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, ethyl ethoxypropionate, 2-heptanone, γ-butyrolactone, cyclohexanone, and butyl acetate are particularly preferable, and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, ethyl ethoxypropionate. 2-heptanone and cyclohexanone are most preferred.

Examples of the solvent having a ketone structure include cyclohexanone and 2-heptanone, and cyclohexanone is preferable.
Examples of the solvent having an ester structure include propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, ethyl ethoxypropionate, and butyl acetate, and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate is preferable.
Examples of the solvent having a lactone structure include γ-butyrolactone.
Examples of the solvent having a carbonate structure include propylene carbonate and ethylene carbonate, with propylene carbonate being preferred.

The mixing ratio (mass) of the solvent containing a hydroxyl group and the solvent not containing a hydroxyl group is 1/99 to 99/1, preferably 10/90 to 90/10, more preferably 20/80 to 60/40. . A mixed solvent containing 50% by mass or more of a solvent not containing a hydroxyl group is particularly preferred from the viewpoint of coating uniformity.
The mixing ratio (mass) of the solvent having an ester structure and the solvent having a ketone structure is 1/99 to 99/1, preferably 10/90 to 90/10, and more preferably 40/60 to 80/20. . A mixed solvent containing 50% by mass or more of a solvent having an ester structure is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of coating uniformity.
The mixing ratio (mass) of the solvent having an ester structure and the solvent having a lactone structure is 70/30 to 99/1, preferably 80/20 to 99/1, and more preferably 90/10 to 99/1. . A mixed solvent containing 70% by mass or more of a solvent having an ester structure is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of stability over time.
When mixing a solvent having an ester structure, a solvent having a lactone structure, and a solvent containing a hydroxyl group, the solvent having an ester structure is 30 to 80% by weight, the solvent having a lactone structure is 1 to 20% by weight, and the hydroxyl group is contained. It is preferable to contain 10 to 60% by weight of the solvent.
When mixing a solvent having an ester structure, a solvent having a carbonate structure and a solvent containing a hydroxyl group, the solvent having an ester structure is 30 to 80% by weight, the solvent having a carbonate structure is 1 to 20% by weight, and the hydroxyl group is contained. It is preferable to contain 10 to 60% by weight of the solvent.

Pattern Forming Method The positive photosensitive composition of the present invention is prepared by dissolving the above components in a predetermined organic solvent, preferably the mixed solvent, filtering the solution, and then applying the solution on a predetermined support as follows. Use. The filter used for filter filtration is preferably made of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, or nylon of 0.1 microns or less, more preferably 0.05 microns or less, and still more preferably 0.03 microns or less.

  For example, a positive photosensitive composition is formed on a substrate (for example, silicon / silicon dioxide coating) used for manufacturing a precision integrated circuit element by an appropriate coating method such as a spinner or a coater to have an arbitrary thickness (usually 50 to 500 nm). After application, the resist film is formed by drying by spinning or baking. The bake temperature can be set as appropriate, but is usually 60 to 150 ° C, and preferably 90 to 130 ° C.

Next, exposure is performed through a mask or the like for pattern formation.
Although an exposure amount can be set suitably, it is 1-100 mJ / cm < ² > normally. After exposure, preferably, spinning or / and baking is performed, development and rinsing are performed to obtain a pattern.

Exposure (immersion exposure) may be performed by filling a liquid (immersion medium) having a higher refractive index than air between the photosensitive film and the lens during irradiation with actinic rays or radiation. Thereby, resolution can be improved. As the immersion medium to be used, any liquid can be used as long as it has a higher refractive index than air, but pure water is preferred. Further, an overcoat layer may be further provided on the photosensitive film so that the immersion medium and the photosensitive film do not come into direct contact with each other during the immersion exposure. Thereby, the elution of the composition from the photosensitive film to the immersion medium is suppressed, and development defects are reduced.
Examples of the actinic ray or radiation include infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, far ultraviolet light, X-ray, electron beam, etc., but preferably far ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 250 nm or less, more preferably 220 nm or less. Specifically, KrF excimer laser (248 nm), ArF excimer laser (193 nm), F ₂ excimer laser (157 nm), X-ray, electron beam, etc. ArF excimer laser, F ₂ excimer laser, EUV (13 nm) An electron beam is preferred.

Before forming the resist film, an antireflection film may be coated on the substrate in advance.
As the antireflection film, any of an inorganic film type such as titanium, titanium dioxide, titanium nitride, chromium oxide, carbon, and amorphous silicon, and an organic film type made of a light absorber and a polymer material can be used. In addition, as the organic antireflection film, commercially available organic antireflection films such as DUV30 series, DUV-40 series manufactured by Brewer Science, AR-2, AR-3, AR-5 manufactured by Shipley, etc. may be used. it can.

In the development step, an alkaline developer is used as follows. Examples of the alkali developer for the photosensitive composition include inorganic alkalis such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium metasilicate, and aqueous ammonia, and primary amines such as ethylamine and n-propylamine. Secondary amines such as diethylamine and di-n-butylamine, tertiary amines such as triethylamine and methyldiethylamine, alcohol amines such as dimethylethanolamine and triethanolamine, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, tetraethylammonium hydroxide, etc. Alkaline aqueous solutions of quaternary ammonium salts, cyclic amines such as pyrrole and pihelidine can be used.
Furthermore, alcohols and surfactants can be added in appropriate amounts to the alkaline developer.
The alkali concentration of the alkali developer is usually from 0.1 to 20% by mass.
The pH of the alkali developer is usually from 10.0 to 15.0.

The positive photosensitive composition of the present invention may be applied to a multilayer resist process (particularly a three-layer resist process). The multilayer resist method includes the following processes.
(A) A lower resist layer made of an organic material is formed on a substrate to be processed.
(B) On the lower resist layer, an intermediate layer and an upper resist layer made of an organic material that crosslinks or decomposes upon irradiation with radiation are sequentially laminated.
(C) After forming a predetermined pattern in the upper resist layer, the intermediate layer, the lower layer and the substrate are sequentially etched.
As the intermediate layer, organopolysiloxane (silicone resin) or SiO ₂ coating solution (SOG) is generally used. As the lower layer resist, an appropriate organic polymer film is used, but various known photoresists may be used. For example, each series of the Fuji Film Arch FH series, FHi series, or Sumitomo Chemical PFI series can be illustrated.
The film thickness of the lower resist layer is preferably 0.1 to 4.0 μm, more preferably 0.2 to 2.0 μm, and particularly preferably 0.25 to 1.5 μm. A thickness of 0.1 μm or more is preferable from the viewpoint of antireflection and dry etching resistance, and a thickness of 4.0 μm or less is preferable from the viewpoint of aspect ratio and pattern collapse of the formed fine pattern.

  Moreover, the resist composition of the present invention exhibits very excellent properties even in a thermal flow process. In the case of performing thermal flow, for example, after forming a resist film using the resist composition of the present invention, pattern exposure, heat treatment, and development treatment are performed in order to form a pattern slightly larger than desired. A pattern having a desired size can be formed by heating to 130 ° C. to 180 ° C. and causing the resist film to flow through heat.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates this invention still in detail, the content of this invention is not limited by this.

Synthesis Example 1 Synthesis of Compounds A and B 3-furanmethanol 20 g (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) and N-cyclohexylmaleimide 36 g (manufactured by Aldrich) were heated and stirred at 75 ° C. for 8 hours in a nitrogen atmosphere, and compound A 85 % Yield. Next, 50 g of the compound A and 20 g of triethylamine were dissolved in 200 g of THF and reacted with 18 g of methacrylic acid chloride to obtain Compound B in a yield of 98%.

Synthesis example 2
Under a nitrogen stream, 43 g of cyclohexanone was placed in a three-necked flask and heated to 80 ° C. To this, 8.1 g of γ-butyrolactone methacrylate, 2.8 g of 3-hydroxyadamantyl-1-methacrylate, 4.1 g of the above compound B, 8.7 g of the following compound C, 4% of initiator V-601 (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries) with respect to the monomer. A solution prepared by dissolving 0.5 mol% in 82 g of cyclohexanone was added dropwise over 6 hours. After completion of dropping, the reaction was further carried out at 80 ° C. for 2 hours. The reaction solution was allowed to cool and then added dropwise to a mixed solution of 900 m of methanol / 100 ml of water over 20 minutes, and the precipitated powder was collected by filtration and dried to obtain 20 g of Resin (P-1). The weight average molecular weight of the obtained resin was 11000 in terms of standard polystyrene, and the dispersity (Mw / Mn) was 1.65.

  Other resins P-2 to P-7, Q1, and Q2 were synthesized using the same method. The weight average molecular weight was adjusted by changing the amount of initiator.

  The decomposition start temperature of the resin (C) was measured by thermogravimetric analysis. The measurement was performed using a thermogravimetric analyzer (Q500) manufactured by TA Instruments. The analysis results are shown in the table.

Examples and Comparative Examples <Resist Preparation>
The components shown in the following table were dissolved in a solvent, and a solution having a solid content of 7% by mass was prepared for each, and this was filtered through a 0.1 μm polyethylene filter to prepare a positive resist solution. The prepared positive resist composition was evaluated by the following method, and the results are also shown in the following table.

<Resist evaluation>
An organic antireflection film ARC29A (Nissan Chemical Co., Ltd.) was applied on a silicon wafer and baked at 205 ° C. for 60 seconds to form a 78 nm antireflection film. The positive resist composition prepared thereon was applied and baked at 110 ° C. for 60 seconds to form a 160 nm resist film. The obtained wafer was subjected to pattern exposure using an ArF excimer laser scanner (PAS5500 / 1100, NA0.75, Annular (σo / σi = 0.89 / 0.65) manufactured by ASML). Thereafter, heating was performed at 110 ° C. for 60 seconds, followed by development with an aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution (2.38 mass%) for 30 seconds, rinsing with pure water, and spin drying to obtain a resist pattern.

Pattern collapse evaluation method:
When the exposure amount that reproduces the 85nm line and space mask pattern is set as the optimal exposure amount and the line width of the line pattern formed by further increasing the exposure amount from the optimal exposure amount is reduced, the pattern does not collapse. It was defined by the line width (nm) to be resolved. A smaller value indicates that a finer pattern is resolved without falling, and pattern falling is less likely to occur.

Exposure latitude evaluation method:
The exposure amount that reproduces the 85 nm line and space mask pattern is the optimum exposure amount, and when the exposure amount is changed, an exposure amount width that allows a pattern size of 85 nm ± 10% is obtained, and this value is divided by the optimum exposure amount. Percentages. The larger the value, the smaller the change in performance due to the change in exposure amount, and the better the exposure latitude.

Line edge roughness (LER) evaluation method:
The line edge edge roughness is measured using a length measuring scanning electron microscope (SEM) by observing an isolated pattern of 120 nm, and measuring the distance from the reference line where the edge of the line pattern should be 5 μm in the longitudinal direction. 50 points were measured with a length measurement SEM (Hitachi, Ltd. S-9260), the standard deviation was obtained, and 3σ (nm) was calculated. Smaller values indicate better performance

Thermal flow suitability evaluation method:
After forming an 85 nm line and space pattern, each was baked at 150 ° C., 160 ° C., and 170 ° C. for 90 seconds, and the shrinkage of the line width was measured with a length measuring SEM (Hitachi, Ltd. S-9260). The value is the flow property ◎ when the lowest temperature contracted 10% or more than the original line width among the three measured temperatures is 150 ° C, ◯ when 160 ° C, △ when 170 ° C, even at 170 ° C The case where shrinkage of 10% or more than the original line width was not observed was taken as x.

  As is apparent from the results, thermal flow properties cannot be obtained when a normal polymer is used as in Comparative Example 1. In addition, as shown in Comparative Example 2, when a low Tg component was simply introduced, the flow temperature was lowered, but the temperature was insufficient, and it was not possible to obtain one satisfying the resolution. On the other hand, in Examples 1-7, it was possible to achieve both high flowability and resolution.

The abbreviations in the table represent those described above and the following.
[Basic compounds]
TPSA: Triphenylsulfonium acetate
DIA: 2,6-diisopropylaniline
TEA: Triethanolamine
DBA: N, N-dibutylaniline
PBI: 2-phenylbenzimidazole TMEA: Tris (methoxyethoxyethyl) amine
PEA: N-phenyldiethanolamine PBMA: 2- [2- {2- (2,2-dimethoxy-phenoxyethoxy) ethyl} -bis- (2-methoxyethyl)]-amine

[Surfactant]
W-1: MegaFuck F176 (Dainippon Ink Chemical Co., Ltd.) (Fluorine)
W-2: Megafuck R08 (Dainippon Ink Chemical Co., Ltd.) (fluorine and silicon)
W-3: Polysiloxane polymer KP-341 (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) (silicon-based)
W-4: Troisol S-366 (manufactured by Troy Chemical Co., Ltd.)

〔solvent〕
S1: Propylene glycol methyl ether acetate
S2: 2-Heptanone
S3: cyclohexanone
S4: γ-butyrolactone
S5: Propylene glycol methyl ether
S6: Ethyl lactate S7: Propylene carbonate

Claims (8)

(A) a compound that generates an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, and
(B) a resin containing a repeating unit that decomposes by heat and decreases in molecular weight, and whose dissolution rate in an alkaline developer is increased by the action of an acid;
A positive tourism composition containing   2. The positive photosensitive resin composition according to claim 1, wherein the resin (B) is a resin that starts decomposing at 80 ° C. to 250 ° C. 3. The positive photosensitive composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resin (B) has a structure represented by the following general formula (II) in a polymer main chain or a side chain.
In formula (II),
X represents a methylene group, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.
Rq, Rr, Rx, Ry, and Rz each independently represent a linking group or a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an ester group, a carboxyl group, or a hydroxyl group. Resin (B) has a repeating unit represented by either of following formula (II-a)-(II-c), The positive photosensitive property in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Resin composition.
In the formulas (II-a) to (II-c),
X represents a methylene group, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.
L represents an alkylene group or a polyethyleneoxy group.
Ra to Rm each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an ester group, a carboxyl group, or a hydroxyl group. The positive photosensitive property according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the resin (B) has a group capable of leaving by the action of an acid represented by the following general formulas (pI) to (pV). Composition.
In the general formulas (pI) to (pV),
R ₁₁ represents an alkyl group.
Z represents an atomic group necessary for forming a cycloalkyl group together with a carbon atom.
R _{12 to} R ₁₄ each independently represents an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group.
R ₁₅ and R ₁₆ each independently represents an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group.
R _{17 to} R ₂₁ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group. Moreover, any of R ₁₉ and R ₂₁ represents an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group.
R _{22 to} R ₂₅ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group. R ₂₃ and R ₂₄ may be bonded to each other to form a ring. Resin (B) has a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (AI), The positive photosensitive composition in any one of Claims 1-5 characterized by the above-mentioned.
In general formula (AI),
R _b0 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or an alkyl group.
A _b is a single bond, an alkylene group, a divalent linking group having a monocyclic or polycyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure, an ether group, an ester group, a carbonyl group, a carboxyl group, or a divalent group obtained by combining these. Represents.
V represents a group having a lactone structure.   A pattern forming method comprising a step of forming a film from the positive photosensitive composition according to claim 1, and exposing and developing the film.   8. The pattern forming method according to claim 7, further comprising a thermal flow step of shrinking a line width of the pattern by heating after development.