Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B, Vol.27, No.4, 1915-1918, 2009
Enhanced resolution of poly(methyl methacrylate) electron resist by thermal processing
Granular nanostructure of electron beam resist had limited the ultimate resolution of electron beam lithography. The authors report a thermal process to achieve a uniform and homogeneous amorphous thin film of polymethyl methacrylate electron resist. This thermal process consists of a short time-high temperature backing process in addition to precisely optimized development process conditions. Using this novel process, they patterned arrays of holes with diameter smaller than 5 nm and line edge roughness and surface roughness of the resist reduced to 1 nm and 100 pm, respectively. In addition, etch resistance of the resist verified and the resist pattern transferred to a metal thin film.
Keywords:amorphous state;electron resists;high-temperature effects;nanostructured materials;polymer films;surface roughness