JP2009237379A - Positive photosensitive composition and pattern forming method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A positive photosensitive composition with improved pattern collapse and roughness performance and a pattern forming method using the same.
(A) a compound that generates an acid upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation, (B) a resin that increases the dissolution rate in an alkali developer by the action of an acid, and (C) a repeating unit having a lactone group ( c1) and a resin having a repeating unit (c2) having a predetermined sulfonamide structure having a fluorinated alkyl group or an alicyclic hydrocarbon group. Sex composition.
[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.

On the other hand, when a further short wavelength light source, for example, an ArF excimer laser (193 nm) is used as an exposure light source, the compound having an aromatic group exhibits a large absorption in the 193 nm region. It wasn't.
For this reason, an ArF excimer laser resist containing a resin having an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure has been developed. Various improvements have been made in resists for ArF excimer lasers. For example, Patent Documents 1 to 4 introduce a repeating unit having an alicyclic acid-decomposable group to improve various characteristics. . However, when forming a fine pattern with a line width of 100 nm or less, even if the resolution performance is excellent, the formed line pattern collapses, resulting in a pattern collapse problem that becomes a defect during device manufacturing. In addition, the line width variation (roughness) of the formed pattern was insufficient.

Further, as a positive photosensitive composition for immersion exposure, a resin whose dissolution rate in an alkaline developer is increased by the action of an acid, at least one of a fluorine atom and a silicon atom, and a —CONHSO ₂ — group There is disclosed a positive photosensitive composition comprising a resin characterized by having (Patent Document 5).
Also disclosed is a positive photosensitive composition comprising a resin having an increased dissolution rate in an alkaline developer, a resin having a repeating unit having a lactone group and a repeating unit having an alkylsulfonylimide group (Patent Document 6). .
JP 2000-122294 A JP 2006-104289 A JP-A-8-305023 JP 10-115925 A JP 2007-326903 A JP 2001-242626 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a positive photosensitive composition with improved pattern collapse and roughness performance even in the formation of a fine pattern of 100 nm or less, and a pattern forming method using the same.

  The present invention has the following configuration.

(1)
(A) a compound that generates an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation,
(B) a resin whose dissolution rate in an alkaline developer is increased by the action of an acid, and
(C) A resin having a repeating unit (c1) having a lactone group and a repeating unit (c2) having a partial structure represented by the general formula (1-1) or (1-2) ,
A positive photosensitive composition comprising:
Formula (1-1): —NH—SO ₂ —R
Formula (1-2): —SO ₂ —NH—R
In general formulas (1-1) and (1-2),
R represents a group having a fluorinated alkyl group or an alicyclic hydrocarbon group.

(2)
Resin (C) has a partial structure represented by General Formula (1-1), and the partial structure represented by General Formula (1-1) is represented by General Formula (1-1 ′) The positive photosensitive composition as described in (1) above, which has a structure.
Formula (1-1 ′): —NH—SO ₂ —L ₁ —R ′
In general formula (1-1 ′),
L ₁ represents a single bond or a divalent linking group.
R ′ represents a fluorinated alkyl group or an alicyclic hydrocarbon group.

(3)
Resin (C) has a partial structure represented by general formula (1-2), and the partial structure represented by general formula (1-2) is represented by general formula (1-2 ′) The positive photosensitive composition as described in (1) above, which has a structure.
Formula (1-2 ′): —SO ₂ —NH—L ₂ —R ′
In general formula (1-2 ′),
L ₂ represents a single bond or a divalent linking group.
R ′ represents a fluorinated alkyl group or an alicyclic hydrocarbon group.

(4)
The resin (C) further has a repeating unit (c3) having at least one group selected from a hydroxyl group and an acid-decomposable group, according to any one of the above (1) to (3), Positive photosensitive composition.

(5)
The positive photosensitive composition as described in any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the content ratio of the repeating unit (c2) in the resin (C) is 5 to 25 mol%.

一般式（Ｉ）に於いて、
Ｘａ₁は、水素原子、アルキル基、シアノ基又はハロゲン原子を表す。
Ｒｘ₁〜Ｒｘ₃は、それぞれ独立に、アルキル基又はシクロアルキル基を表す。Ｒｘ₁〜Ｒｘ₃の少なくとも２つが結合して、シクロアルキル基を形成してもよい。
Ｚは、単結合あるいは二価の連結基を表す。 (6)
The positive photosensitive composition as described in (4) or (5) above, wherein the resin (C) contains a repeating unit having an acid-decomposable group having a structure represented by the general formula (I) .

In general formula (I),
Xa ₁ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cyano group, or a halogen atom.
Rx _{1 to} Rx ₃ each independently represents an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group. At least two of Rx _{1 to} Rx ₃ may be bonded to form a cycloalkyl group.
Z represents a single bond or a divalent linking group.

(7)
The positive mold according to any one of the above (1) to (6), wherein the content of the resin (C) is 0.1 to 50 parts by mass of the total solid content of the positive photosensitive composition. Photosensitive composition.

(8)
A pattern forming method comprising: forming a film from the positive photosensitive composition as described in any one of (1) to (7) above; and exposing and developing the film.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a positive photosensitive composition having improved pattern collapse and roughness performance even in the formation of a fine pattern of 100 nm or less, and a pattern forming method using the same.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.
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) Acid generator The positive photosensitive composition of this invention contains the compound (it is also called an "acid generator") which generate | occur | produces an acid by irradiation of actinic light or a radiation.
Examples of such an acid generator include a photoinitiator for photocationic polymerization, a photoinitiator for photoradical polymerization, a photodecolorant for dyes, a photochromic agent, or an actinic ray or radiation used for a microresist. A known compound that generates an acid by irradiation and a mixture thereof can be appropriately selected and used.

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

  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.

  Among the compounds that generate an acid upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation, compounds represented by the following general formulas (ZI), (ZII), and (ZIII) can be exemplified.

In general formula (ZI):
R ₂₀₁ , R ₂₀₂ and R ₂₀₃ each independently represents an organic group.
X ⁻ represents a non-nucleophilic anion, preferably sulfonate anion, carboxylate anion, bis (alkylsulfonyl) amide anion, tris (alkylsulfonyl) methide anion, BF ₄ ⁻ , PF ₆ ⁻ , SbF ₆ ^{− and the} like. Preferably, it is an organic anion containing a carbon atom.

  Preferred organic anions include organic anions represented by the following general formulas (AN1) to (AN4).

In general formulas (AN1) to (AN2),
Rc ₁ represents an organic group.
Examples of the organic group for Rc ₁ include those having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and preferably an alkyl group, an aryl group, or a plurality thereof, which may be substituted, is a single bond, —O—, —CO ₂ —. , —S—, —SO ₃ —, —SO ₂ N (Rd ₁ ) — and the like. Rd ₁ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and may form a ring structure with the bonded alkyl group or aryl group.
The organic group of Rc ₁ is more preferably an alkyl group substituted at the 1-position with a fluorine atom or a fluoroalkyl group, or a phenyl group substituted with a fluorine atom or a fluoroalkyl group. By having a fluorine atom or a fluoroalkyl group, the acidity of the acid generated by light irradiation is increased and the sensitivity is improved. When Rc ₁ has 5 or more carbon atoms, it is preferable that at least one carbon atom has a hydrogen atom, not all hydrogen atoms are substituted with fluorine atoms, and the number of hydrogen atoms is fluorine. More preferably than atoms. By not having a perfluoroalkyl group having 5 or more carbon atoms, ecotoxicity is reduced.

As a particularly preferred embodiment of Rc ₁ , groups represented by the following general formula can be exemplified.

In the above general formula,
Rc ₆ is substituted with a perfluoroalkylene group having 4 or less carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 3 carbon atoms, 3 to 5 fluorine atoms and / or 1 to 3 fluoroalkyl groups. Represents a phenylene group.
Ax represents a linking group (preferably a single bond, —O—, —CO ₂ —, —S—, —SO ₃ —, —SO ₂ N (Rd ₁ ) —). Rd ₁ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and may combine with Rc ₇ to form a ring structure.
Rc ₇ represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, a monocyclic or polycyclic cycloalkyl group or an aryl group. The alkyl group, cycloalkyl group and aryl group may be substituted, but preferably have no fluorine atom as a substituent.

In the general formulas (AN3) to (AN4),
Rc ₃ , Rc ₄ and Rc ₅ each independently represents an organic group.
Preferred examples of the organic group for Rc ₃ , Rc ₄ and Rc ₅ include the same organic groups as those for Rc ₁ .
Rc ₃ and Rc ₄ may combine to form a ring. Examples of the group formed by combining Rc ₃ and Rc ₄ include an alkylene group and an arylene group. Preferably, it is a C2-C4 perfluoroalkylene group. By combining Rc ₃ and Rc ₄ to form a ring, the acidity of the acid generated by light irradiation is increased, and the sensitivity is improved, which is preferable.

In the general formula (ZI),
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).
Specific examples of the organic group as R ₂₀₁ , R ₂₀₂ and R ₂₀₃ include 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.

The compound (ZI-1) is at least one of the aryl groups R ₂₀₁ to R ₂₀₃ in formula (ZI), arylsulfonium compound, i.e., a compound having 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, and the rest may be 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 an aryl group such as a phenyl group or a naphthyl group, or a heteroaryl group such as an indole residue or a pyrrole residue, more preferably a phenyl group or an indole residue. 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 that the arylsulfonium compound has as necessary is preferably a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an n-butyl group, sec- Examples thereof include a butyl group and a t-butyl group.
The cycloalkyl group that the arylsulfonium compound has as necessary is preferably a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 15 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a cyclopropyl group, a cyclobutyl group, and a cyclohexyl group.
The aryl group, alkyl group, and cycloalkyl group of R _{201 to} R ₂₀₃ are an alkyl group (for example, having 1 to 15 carbon atoms), a cycloalkyl group (for example, having 3 to 15 carbon atoms), an aryl group (for example, having 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 as a substituent. 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, particularly preferably. They are a C1-C4 alkyl group and a C1-C4 alkoxy group. 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.
Compound (ZI-2) is a compound in the case where R _{201 to} R ₂₀₃ in formula (ZI) each independently represents an organic group containing 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, branched, cyclic 2-oxoalkyl group, or an alkoxycarbonylmethyl group, particularly preferably Is a linear, branched 2-oxoalkyl group.

The alkyl group as R ₂₀₁ to R ₂₀₃ is preferably include a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms (e.g., methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, butyl group, pentyl group) . The alkyl group as R ₂₀₁ to R ₂₀₃ include linear or branched 2-oxoalkyl group, more preferably an alkoxymethyl group.
The cycloalkyl group as R ₂₀₁ to R ₂₀₃ is preferably, and a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms (e.g., cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, norbornyl). The cycloalkyl group as R ₂₀₁ to R ₂₀₃ is more preferably a cyclic 2-oxoalkyl group.
Linear as R ₂₀₁ to R _203, branched or cyclic 2-oxoalkyl group may preferably be a group having a 2-position> C = O in the above-described alkyl or cycloalkyl group.
The alkoxy group in the alkoxycarbonylmethyl group as R ₂₀₁ to R _203, preferably may be mentioned alkoxy groups having 1 to 5 carbon atoms (a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, a propoxy group, a butoxy group, a pentoxy group).
R _{201 to} R ₂₀₃ may be further substituted with a halogen atom, an alkoxy group (eg, having 1 to 5 carbon atoms), a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, a nitro group, or the like.

  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.
Rx and Ry 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 _7c, and R _x and R _y may be bonded to each other to form a ring structure, the ring structure may contain an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, an ester bond, an amide bond May be included. Examples of the group formed by combining any two or more of R _{1c to} R _7c and R _x and R _y include a butylene group and a pentylene group.
X ⁻ represents a non-nucleophilic anion, and examples thereof include those similar to the non-nucleophilic anion of X ⁻ in formula (I).

The alkyl group as R _{1c to} R _7c is, for example, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms (for example, a methyl group). , Ethyl group, linear or branched propyl group, linear or branched butyl group, linear or branched pentyl group).
Preferable examples of the cycloalkyl group as R _{1c to} R _7c include a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms (for example, a cyclopentyl group and a cyclohexyl group).
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 one 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 as R _x and R _y include the same alkyl groups as R _{1c to} R _7c . The alkyl group as R _x and R _y is more preferably a linear or branched 2-oxoalkyl group or an alkoxymethyl group.
The cycloalkyl group as R _x and R _y may be the same as the cycloalkyl group as R _1c to R _7c. The cycloalkyl group as R _x and R _y is more preferably a cyclic 2-oxoalkyl group.
Examples of the linear or branched alkyl group and the cyclic 2-oxoalkyl 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 R _{1c to} R _5c .
R _x and R _y are preferably an alkyl group having 4 or more carbon atoms, more preferably 6 or more, and still more preferably 8 or more.

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.
The aryl group of R ₂₀₄ to R _207, a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, more preferably a phenyl group.
The alkyl group as R ₂₀₄ to R ₂₀₇ may preferably be mentioned a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms (e.g., methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, butyl group, pentyl group).
The cycloalkyl group as R ₂₀₄ to R ₂₀₇ is preferably, and a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms (e.g., cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, norbornyl).
R ₂₀₄ to R ₂₀₇ may have a substituent. The R ₂₀₄ to R ₂₀₇ are substituents which may have, 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 (e.g., 6 carbon atoms 15), alkoxy groups (for example, having 1 to 15 carbon atoms), halogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, phenylthio groups and the like.
X ⁻ represents a non-nucleophilic anion, and examples thereof include the same as the non-nucleophilic anion of X ^{− in} formula (I).

Among the compounds that decompose upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation to generate acids, compounds represented by the following general formulas (ZIV), (ZV), and (ZVI) can be further exemplified.

In general formulas (ZIV) to (ZVI),
Ar ₃ and Ar ₄ each independently represents an aryl group.
R ₂₀₈ represents an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, or an aryl group.
R ₂₀₉ and R ₂₁₀ each independently represents an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, or an electron-withdrawing group. R ₂₀₇ is preferably an aryl group. R ₂₀₈ is preferably an electron-withdrawing group, more preferably a cyano group or a fluoroalkyl group.
A represents an alkylene group, an alkenylene group or an arylene group.

  Of the compounds that generate an acid upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation, more preferred are compounds represented by general formulas (ZI) to (ZIII), and even more preferred are compounds represented by general formula (ZI). And particularly preferred are compounds represented by the general formulas (ZI-1) to (ZI-3).

  Furthermore, the compound which generate | occur | produces the acid represented by the following general formula (AC1)-(AC3) by irradiation of actinic light or a radiation is preferable.

In the general formulas (AC1) to (AC3), Rc ₁ and Rc _{3 to} Rc ₅ represent the general formula (AN1)
Are the same as Rc ₁ and Rc _{3 to} Rc _{5 in} (AN4).

A particularly preferred embodiment of the acid generator is a compound in which, in the structure of the general formula (ZI), X ⁻ is an anion selected from the above (AN1), (AN3), and (AN4).

  Among the compounds that generate an acid upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation, examples of particularly preferable compounds are listed below.

An acid generator can be used individually by 1 type or in combination of 2 or more types. When two or more types are used in combination, it is preferable to combine two types of compounds that generate two types of organic acids that differ in the total number of atoms excluding hydrogen atoms by two or more.
The content of the acid generator in the composition is preferably 0.1 to 20% by mass, more preferably 0.5 to 10% by mass, and still more preferably 1 based on the total solid content of the positive photosensitive composition. -7% by mass.

(B) Acid-decomposable resin A resin (also referred to as “resin (B)”), which is used in the photosensitive composition of the present invention, is decomposed by the action of an acid and has increased solubility in an alkaline developer. It is a resin having a group that can be decomposed by an acid (hereinafter also referred to as “acid-decomposable group”) in the main chain or side chain, or in both the main chain and side chain. Among these, a resin having a group capable of decomposing with an acid in the side chain is more preferable.

A group preferable as a group that can be decomposed by an acid is a group in which a hydrogen atom of a —COOH group or —OH group is substituted 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.
In the present invention, the acid-decomposable group is preferably an acetal group or a tertiary ester group, particularly preferably a tertiary ester group.

  The base resin in the case where these acid-decomposable groups are bonded as side chains is an alkali-soluble resin having —OH or —COOH groups in the side chains. For example, the alkali-soluble resin mentioned later can be mentioned.

  The alkali dissolution rate of these alkali-soluble resins is preferably 170 kg / sec or more as measured with 0.261N tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) (23 ° C.). Particularly preferably, it is 330 Å / second or more.

  Specifically, it is preferable to have a repeating unit having an acid-decomposable group represented by the general formula (I).

In general formula (I),
Xa ₁ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cyano group, or a halogen atom.
Rx _{1 to} Rx ₃ each independently represents an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group. At least two of Rx _{1 to} Rx ₃ may be bonded to form a cycloalkyl group.
Z represents a single bond or a divalent linking group.

In the general formula (I), the alkyl group represented by Xa ₁ is preferably a linear alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methyl group and an ethyl group. The alkyl group of Xa ₁ may be substituted with a hydroxyl group, a halogen atom or the like. Xa ₁ is preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.
The alkyl group represented by Rx _{1 to} Rx ₃ is preferably a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, or an isobutyl group. , T-butyl group and the like.
Examples of the cycloalkyl group represented by Rx _{1 to} Rx ₃ include a monocyclic or polycyclic cycloalkyl group, a monocyclic cycloalkyl group such as a cyclopentyl group and a cyclohexyl group, a norbornyl group, a tetracyclodecanyl group, Polycyclic cycloalkyl groups such as a tetracyclododecanyl group and an adamantyl group are preferred.
The cycloalkyl group formed by bonding at least two of Rx _{1 to} Rx ₃ includes a monocyclic cycloalkyl group such as a cyclopentyl group and a cyclohexyl group, a norbornyl group, a tetracyclodecanyl group, and a tetracyclododecanyl group. And a polycyclic cycloalkyl group such as an adamantyl group is preferred.
It is preferable that Rx ₁ is a methyl group or an ethyl group, and Rx ₂ and Rx ₃ are bonded to form a monocyclic or polycyclic cycloalkyl group.

  Z represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Examples of the divalent linking group include a carbonyloxyalkylene group and a carbonylaminoalkylene group. Preferred are a single bond and a carbonyloxyalkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

  Specific examples of the repeating unit having an acid-decomposable group represented by formula (I) are shown below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

  Among them, particularly preferred repeating units represented by the general formula (I) are repeating units of 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 in the above specific examples.

  The repeating unit having an acid-decomposable group represented by formula (I) can be used in combination with a repeating unit having another acid-decomposable group having a different structure. The ratio of the repeating unit having an acid-decomposable group and the repeating unit having another acid-decomposable group is 90:10 to 10:90, more preferably 80:20 to 20:80, in molar ratio.

  The content of the repeating unit having all acid-decomposable groups in the resin (B) is preferably 20 to 50 mol%, more preferably 25 to 45 mol%, based on all repeating units in the polymer.

  The resin (B) preferably further has a repeating unit having at least one group selected from a lactone group, a hydroxyl group and a cyano group.

The resin (B) preferably has a repeating unit having a lactone structure.
Any lactone structure can be used as long as it has a lactone structure, but a 5- to 7-membered lactone structure is preferable, and a bicyclo structure or a spiro structure is formed in the 5- to 7-membered ring lactone structure. The other ring structure is preferably condensed. It is more preferable to have a repeating unit having a lactone structure represented by any of the following general formulas (LC1-1) to (LC1-16). The 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), and a specific lactone structure is used. This improves line edge roughness and development defects.

The lactone structure moiety may or may not have a substituent (Rb ₂ ). Preferred substituents (Rb ₂ ) include 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, and a carboxyl group. , Halogen atom, hydroxyl group, cyano group, acid-decomposable group and the like. More preferably, they are a C1-C4 alkyl group, a cyano group, and an acid-decomposable group. n2 represents an integer of 0 to 4. When n2 is 2 or more, a plurality of Rb ₂ may be the same or different, and a plurality of Rb ₂ may be bonded to form a ring.

  Examples of the repeating unit having a lactone structure represented by any one of the general formulas (LC1-1) to (LC1-16) include a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (AI).

In general formula (AI),
Rb ₀ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Preferred substituents that the alkyl group represented by Rb ₀ may have include a hydroxyl group and a halogen atom. Examples of the halogen atom for Rb ₀ include a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, and an iodine atom. Rb ₀ is preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.
Ab represents 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, or a divalent linking group obtained by combining these. Preferably a single bond, -Ab ₁ -CO ₂ - is a divalent linking group represented by. Ab ₁ is a linear, branched alkylene group, monocyclic or polycyclic cycloalkylene group, preferably a methylene group, an ethylene group, a cyclohexylene group, an adamantylene group or a norbornylene group.
V represents a group having a structure represented by any one of the general 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 lactone structure are given below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

  Particularly preferred repeating units having a lactone structure include the following repeating units. By selecting the optimum lactone structure, the pattern profile and the density dependence become good.

  The resin (B) preferably has a repeating unit having a hydroxyl group or a cyano group. This improves the substrate adhesion and developer compatibility. The repeating unit having a hydroxyl group or a cyano group is preferably a repeating unit having an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure substituted with a hydroxyl group or a cyano group. The alicyclic hydrocarbon structure in the alicyclic hydrocarbon structure substituted with a hydroxyl group or a cyano group is preferably an adamantyl group, a diamantyl group, or a norbornane group. As the alicyclic hydrocarbon structure substituted with a preferred hydroxyl group or cyano group, partial structures represented by the following general formulas (VIIa) to (VIId) are preferred.

In general formulas (VIIa) to (VIIc),
R ₂ c to R ₄ c each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a cyano group. However, at least one of R ₂ c to R ₄ c represents a hydroxyl group or a cyano group. Preferably, one or two of R ₂ c to R ₄ c are a hydroxyl group and the remaining is a hydrogen atom. In general formula (VIIa), more preferably, _two of R ₂ c to R ₄ c are hydroxyl groups and the remaining are hydrogen atoms.

  Examples of the repeating unit having a partial structure represented by the general formulas (VIIa) to (VIId) include the repeating units represented by the following general formulas (AIIa) to (AIId).

In the general formulas (AIIa) to (AIId),
R ₁ c represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a trifluoromethyl group or a hydroxymethyl group.
R ₂ c to R ₄ c are in the general formula (VIIa) ~ (VIIc), same meanings as R ₂ c~R ₄ c.

  The content of the repeating unit having an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure substituted with a hydroxyl group or a cyano group is preferably 5 to 40 mol%, more preferably 5 to 30 mol%, still more preferably 10 with respect to all repeating units in the polymer. ˜25 mol%.

  Specific examples of the repeating unit having a hydroxyl group or a cyano group are given below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

  As the repeating unit having at least one group selected from a lactone group, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group and an alkali-soluble group, a repeating unit having at least two selected from a lactone group, a hydroxyl group and a cyano group is more preferable. Is a repeating unit having a cyano group and a lactone group.

  The resin (B) may further contain a repeating unit that has an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure and does not exhibit 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, diamantyl (meth) acrylate, tricyclodecanyl (meth) acrylate, cyclohexyl (meth) acrylate, and the like.

  Resin (B) adjusts dry etching resistance, standard developer suitability, substrate adhesion, resist profile, and resolution, heat resistance, sensitivity, etc., which are general required properties of resist, in addition to the above repeating structural units. For this purpose, various repeating structural units can be included.

  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.

  When the positive photosensitive composition of the present invention is for ArF exposure, the resin (B) preferably has no aromatic group from the viewpoint of transparency to ArF light.

The resin (B) is preferably one in which all of the repeating units are composed of (meth) acrylate-based repeating units. In this case, all of the repeating units are methacrylate repeating units, all of the repeating units are acrylate repeating units, or all of the repeating units are methacrylate repeating units and acrylate repeating units. Although it can be used, the acrylate-based repeating unit is preferably 50 mol% or less of the total repeating units. More preferably, the (meth) acrylate repeating unit having an acid-decomposable group represented by the general formula (I) is 20 to 50 mol%, the (meth) acrylate repeating unit having a lactone structure is 20 to 50 mol%, It is a copolymer having 5 to 30 mol% of (meth) acrylate-based repeating units having an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure substituted with a hydroxyl group or a cyano group, and further containing 0 to 20 mol% of other (meth) acrylate-based repeating units. .
The resin (B) 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 positive 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 examples of the initiator include azobisisobutyronitrile, azobisdimethylvaleronitrile, dimethyl 2,2′-azobis (2-methylpropionate) and the like. 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) is preferably from 1,000 to 200,000, more preferably from 3,000 to 20,000, most preferably from 5,000 to 15, as a polystyrene-converted value by the GPC method. 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, and developability is deteriorated, or viscosity is increased and film forming property is deteriorated. Can be prevented.
The degree of dispersion (molecular weight distribution) is usually from 1 to 5, preferably from 1 to 3, more preferably from 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.

  When the resin (B) is used in a positive photosensitive composition that irradiates a KrF excimer laser beam, an electron beam, an X-ray, a high-energy light beam (EUV, etc.) having a wavelength of 50 nm or less, the resin (B) It is preferable to have a repeating unit of the formula (I) and a repeating unit having a hydroxystyrene structure. Examples of the repeating unit having a hydroxystyrene structure include o-, m-, p-hydroxystyrene and / or hydroxystyrene protected with an acid-decomposable group. The hydroxystyrene repeating unit protected with an acid-decomposable group is preferably 1-alkoxyethoxystyrene or t-butylcarbonyloxystyrene.

In the positive photosensitive composition of the present invention, the blending amount of the resin (B) is preferably 50 to 99.9% by mass, more preferably 75 to 99.0% by mass, based on the total solid content.
In the present invention, the resin (B) may be used alone or in combination.

(C) Resin which has repeating unit (c1) which has lactone group, and repeating unit (c2) which has group shown by general formula (1-1) or (1-2) The photosensitive composition of this invention Is a resin having a repeating unit (c1) having a lactone group and a repeating unit (c2) having at least one group represented by formula (1-1) or (1-2) (“resin (C) ").

-Repeating units having a lactone group (c1)
The resin (C) contains a repeating unit (c1) having a lactone group. Specific examples of the repeating unit (c1) having a lactone group include those similar to the repeating unit having a lactone structure in the resin (B), and preferred contents thereof are also the same.

-Repeating unit (c2) having a group represented by formula (1-1) or (1-2)
The resin (C) has a repeating unit (c2) having at least one group represented by the general formula (1-1) or (1-2). That is, a sulfonamide group represented by the general formulas (1-1) and (1-2) (a sulfonylimide group or a bissulfonylimide described later) is present on the main chain or side chain of the resin, or both the main chain and the side chain. Group).
Formula (1-1): —NH—SO ₂ —R
Formula (1-2): —SO ₂ —NH—R
In the general formulas (1-1) and (1-2), R represents a group containing a fluorinated alkyl group or an alicyclic hydrocarbon group.

The partial structure represented by the general formula (1-1) is also preferably a partial structure represented by the general formula (1-1A) or (1-1B).
Formula (1-1A): —CO—NH—SO ₂ —R
Formula (1-1B): —SO ₂ —NH—SO ₂ —R
In general formulas (1-1A) and (1-1B), R has the same meaning as in formulas (1-1) and (1-2).

The partial structure represented by the general formula (1-1) is a partial structure represented by the general formula (1-1 ′), and the partial structure represented by the general formula (1-2) is represented by the general formula ( A partial structure represented by 1-2 ′) is preferable.
Formula (1-1 ′): —NH—SO ₂ —L ₁ —R ′
Formula (1-2 ′): —SO ₂ —NH—L ₂ —R ′
In general formulas (1-1 ′) and (1-2 ′),
L ₁ represents a single bond or a divalent linking group.
L ₂ represents a single bond or a divalent linking group.
R ′ represents a fluorinated alkyl group or an alicyclic hydrocarbon group.
L ₁ is preferably a single bond or an alkylene group, and L ₂ is preferably a single bond, an alkylene group, a carbonyl group or a sulfonyl group.

Examples of the fluorinated alkyl group include a perfluoroalkyl group or an alkyl group in which a part of hydrogen is substituted with fluorine, and a perfluoroalkyl group is preferable. Specific examples include a trifluoromethyl group, a pentafluoroethyl group, a hexafluoropropyl group, and a nonafluorobutyl group.
Examples of alicyclic hydrocarbons include monocyclic or polycyclic cycloalkyl groups, and specifically include cyclopropyl group, cyclobutyl group, cyclopentyl group, cyclohexyl group, cycloheptyl group, norbornene group, adamantyl group. Group.

  Specific examples of the repeating units represented by the general formulas (1-1) and (1-2) are shown below, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the formula, Rx represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

  The content of the repeating unit having a group represented by formulas (1-1) and (1-2) is preferably 5 to 25 mol%, more preferably 5 to 15 mol%, based on all repeating units in the polymer. More preferably, it is 5-10 mol%.

  The resin (C) used in the photosensitive composition of the present invention preferably has a repeating unit having an acid-decomposable group in the main chain or side chain of the resin, or in both the main chain and side chain. Examples of the acid-decomposable group include those similar to those in the resin (B), and preferred contents are also the same.

Specifically, the resin (C) preferably has a repeating unit having an acid-decomposable group represented by the general formula (I).
Specific examples of the repeating unit represented by the general formula (I) include those similar to those in the resin (B).

The resin (C) preferably further has a repeating unit (c3) having at least one group selected from a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, and an alkali-soluble group. Specific examples of the repeating unit (c3) include those similar to those in the resin (B).
The weight average molecular weight of the resin (C) is preferably from 3,000 to 200,000, more preferably from 3,000 to 20,000, most preferably from 5,000 to 15, as a polystyrene-converted value by the GPC method. 000. By setting the weight average molecular weight to 3,000 to 200,000, it is possible to prevent deterioration of heat resistance and dry etching resistance, and developability is deteriorated, and viscosity is increased and film forming property is deteriorated. Can be prevented.

It is preferable that content of resin (C) is 0.1-50 mass% of the whole solid content of this positive photosensitive composition, It is more preferable that it is 1-25 mass%, 10-25 mass% It is particularly preferred that
The photosensitive composition of this invention may have multiple types of resin (C).
The photosensitive composition of the present invention preferably contains the resin (B) and the resin (C) in a mass ratio of resin (B): resin (C) in the range of 99: 1 to 50:50, more preferably. Is contained in the range of 99: 1 to 70:30, more preferably 95: 5 to 75:25.

Additives In the positive photosensitive composition of the present invention, it is also preferable to use a dissolution control compound, a basic compound, and fluorine and / or a silicon-based surfactant as constituent components. Hereinafter, the dissolution control compound, the basic compound, and the surfactant will be described.

Dissolution control compound Dissolution control compound having a molecular weight of 3000 or less having at least one selected from an alkali-soluble group, a hydrophilic group, and an acid-decomposable group. The positive photosensitive composition of the present invention includes an alkali-soluble group, a hydrophilic group, and an acid. A dissolution controlling compound having a molecular weight of 3000 or less (hereinafter also referred to as “solubility controlling compound”) having at least one selected from degradable groups may be added.
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 having an acid-decomposable group is preferred. The acid-decomposable group is preferably a group in which a carboxyl group or a hydroxyl group is protected with an acid-decomposable protecting 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 obtained by protecting the carboxylic acid with an acid-decomposable protecting group, such as saccharides. A polyol or a compound having its hydroxyl group protected with an acid-decomposable protecting group is preferred.

  The molecular weight of the dissolution controlling compound 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 positive photosensitive composition.

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

Organic Basic Compound In the present invention, it is preferable to use an organic basic compound from the viewpoint of improving performance such as resolution and improving storage stability. As the organic basic compound, a compound containing a nitrogen atom (nitrogen-containing basic compound) is more preferable.
A preferable organic basic compound in the present invention is a compound having a stronger basicity than phenol.
As a preferable chemical environment, structures of the following formulas (A) to (E) can be exemplified. Formulas (B) to (E) may be part of a ring structure.

In the formula (A), R ²⁰⁰ , R ²⁰¹ and R ²⁰² may be the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group (preferably having 1 to 20 carbon atoms) or a cycloalkyl group (preferably having 3 to 20 carbon atoms). Or an aryl group (preferably having 6 to 20 carbon atoms), wherein R ²⁰¹ and R ²⁰² may be bonded to each other to form a ring.
The alkyl group, cycloalkyl group and aryl group as R ²⁰⁰ , R ²⁰¹ and R ²⁰² may have a substituent. As the alkyl group and cycloalkyl group having a substituent, an aminoalkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and an aminocycloalkyl group, and a hydroxyalkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms are preferable.
In the formula (E), R ²⁰³ , R ²⁰⁴ , R ²⁰⁵ and R ²⁰⁶ may be the same or different and each represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and a cycloalkyl group.
Further preferred compounds are nitrogen-containing basic compounds having two or more nitrogen atoms of different chemical environments in one molecule, and particularly preferably both a substituted or unsubstituted amino group and a ring structure containing a nitrogen atom. Or a compound having an alkylamino group.

  Preferred examples include guanidine, aminopyridine, aminoalkylpyridine, aminopyrrolidine, indazole, imidazole, pyrazole, pyrazine, pyrimidine, purine, imidazoline, pyrazoline, piperazine, aminomorpholine, aminoalkylmorpholine and the like. Preferred substituents that these may have include amino groups, alkylamino groups, aminoaryl groups, arylamino groups, alkyl groups (substituent alkyl groups, particularly aminoalkyl groups), alkoxy groups, acyl groups, and acyloxy groups. An aryl group, an aryloxy group, a nitro group, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, and the like.

  Particularly preferred compounds include guanidine, 1,1-dimethylguanidine, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine, imidazole, 2-methylimidazole, 4-methylimidazole, N-methylimidazole, 2-phenylimidazole, 4 , 5-diphenylimidazole, 2,4,5-triphenylimidazole, 2-aminopyridine, 3-aminopyridine, 4-aminopyridine, 2-dimethylaminopyridine, 4-dimethylaminopyridine, 2-diethylaminopyridine, 2- (Aminomethyl) pyridine, 2-amino-3-methylpyridine, 2-amino-4-methylpyridine, 2-amino-5-methylpyridine, 2-amino-6-methylpyridine, 3-aminoethylpyridine, 4- Aminoethylpyridine,

3-aminopyrrolidine, piperazine, N- (2-aminoethyl) piperazine, N- (2-aminoethyl) piperidine, 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 4-piperidinopiperidine, 2-iminopiperidine, 1- (2-aminoethyl) pyrrolidine, pyrazole, 3-amino-5-methylpyrazole, 5-amino-3-methyl-1-p-tolylpyrazole, pyrazine, 2- (aminomethyl)- Examples include 5-methylpyrazine, pyrimidine, 2,4-diaminopyrimidine, 4,6-dihydroxypyrimidine, 2-pyrazoline, 3-pyrazoline, N-aminomorpholine, N- (2-aminoethyl) morpholine. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
These nitrogen-containing basic compounds are used alone or in combination of two or more.

  A tetraalkylammonium salt type nitrogen-containing basic compound can also be used. Of these, tetraalkylammonium hydroxide having 1 to 8 carbon atoms (tetramethylammonium hydroxide, tetraethylammonium hydroxide, tetra- (n-butyl) ammonium hydroxide, etc.) is particularly preferable. These nitrogen-containing basic compounds are used alone or in combination of two or more.

  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 fluorine and / or silicon surfactant (fluorine surfactant, silicon surfactant, fluorine atom and silicon atom It is preferable to contain either one or two or more surfactants containing both.
When the positive photosensitive composition of the present invention contains fluorine and / or a silicon-based surfactant, adhesion and development defects can be obtained with good sensitivity and resolution when using an exposure light source of 250 nm or less, particularly 220 nm or less. It is possible to provide a resist pattern with less.

  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 F-top EF301, EF303 (manufactured by Shin-Akita Kasei Co., Ltd.), Florard FC430, 431 (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.), MegaFuck F171, F173, F176, F189, R08 (Dainippon Ink Chemical Co., Ltd.), Surflon S-382, SC101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 (Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.), Troisol S-366 (Troy Chemical Co., Ltd.), etc. Fluorine type surfactant or silicon type 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 positive photosensitive composition of the present invention is used by dissolving each component in a predetermined solvent.
Solvents that can be used include, for example, 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- Examples include organic solvents such as dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidone, and tetrahydrofuran. Kill.

In the present invention, the solvent may be used alone or mixed, but it is preferable to use a mixed solvent containing two or more kinds of 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) a mixed solvent obtained by mixing a solvent having an ester structure and a solvent having a ketone structure;
(S3) a mixed solvent obtained by mixing a solvent having an ester structure and a solvent having a lactone structure;
(S4) a mixed solvent obtained by mixing a solvent having an ester structure, a solvent having a lactone structure, and a solvent containing a hydroxyl group;
(S5) A mixed solvent containing a solvent having an ester structure, a solvent having a carbonate structure, and a hydroxyl group.
As a result, the generation of particles during storage of the resist solution can be reduced, and the generation of defects during application 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 particularly 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 mass, the solvent having a lactone structure is 1 to 20% by mass, and the hydroxyl group is contained. It is preferable to contain 10-60 mass% of solvent to do.
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 mass, the solvent having a carbonate structure is 1 to 20% by mass, and the hydroxyl group is contained. It is preferable to contain 10-60 mass% of solvent to do.

A preferable embodiment of these solvents is a solvent containing an alkylene glycol monoalkyl ether carboxylate (preferably propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate), more preferably a mixed solvent of an alkylene glycol monoalkyl ether carboxylate and another solvent. And the other solvent is at least one solvent selected from solvents having at least one functional group selected from a hydroxyl group, a ketone group, a lactone group, an ester group, an ether group, and a carbonate group. A particularly preferable mixed solvent is a mixed solvent of at least one selected from ethyl lactate, γ-butyrolactone, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, butyl acetate, and cyclohexanone, and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate.
The development defect performance can be improved by selecting an optimum solvent.

<Other additives>
The positive photosensitive composition of the present invention has further solubility in a dye, a plasticizer, a surfactant other than the fluorine and / or silicon surfactant, a photosensitizer, and a developer as necessary. A compound to be promoted and the like can be contained.

  The dissolution accelerating compound for the developer that can be used in the present invention is a low molecular weight compound having a molecular weight of 1,000 or less and having two or more phenolic OH groups or one or more carboxy groups. When it has a carboxy group, an alicyclic or aliphatic compound is preferable.

  A preferable addition amount of these dissolution promoting compounds is 2 to 50% by mass, and more preferably 5 to 30% by mass with respect to the acid-decomposable resin. 50 mass% or less is preferable at the point of development residue suppression and the pattern deformation prevention at the time of image development.

  Such phenolic compounds having a molecular weight of 1000 or less can be obtained by referring to methods described in, for example, JP-A-4-1222938, JP-A-2-28531, U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,210, European Patent 219294, and the like. Can be easily synthesized.

  Specific examples of alicyclic or aliphatic compounds having a carboxyl group include carboxylic acid derivatives having a steroid structure such as cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, lithocholic acid, adamantane carboxylic acid derivatives, adamantane dicarboxylic acid, cyclohexane carboxylic acid, cyclohexane Examples thereof include, but are not limited to, dicarboxylic acids.

  In the present invention, other surfactants than fluorine and / or silicon surfactants can be added. Specifically, nonionic interfaces such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl allyl ethers, polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan aliphatic esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan aliphatic esters, etc. Mention may be made of activators.

  These surfactants may be added alone or in some combination.

(Pattern formation method)
The positive photosensitive composition of the present invention is used by dissolving each component in a predetermined solvent, preferably the mixed solvent, filtering the solution, and then applying the solution on a predetermined support as follows. The filter used for filter filtration is preferably made of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, or nylon having a pore size 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 coated on a substrate (eg, silicon / silicon dioxide coating) used in the manufacture of precision integrated circuit elements by a suitable coating method such as a spinner or coater, dried, and photosensitive. A film is formed.
The photosensitive film is irradiated with actinic rays or radiation through a predetermined mask, preferably baked (heated), developed and rinsed. Thereby, a good pattern can be obtained.

  Exposure (immersion exposure) may be performed by filling a liquid (immersion medium) having a higher refractive index than air between the resist 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.

The immersion liquid used for the immersion exposure will be described below.
The immersion liquid is preferably a liquid that is transparent to the exposure wavelength and has a refractive index temperature coefficient as small as possible so as to minimize distortion of the optical image projected onto the resist film. Is an ArF excimer laser (wavelength; 193 nm), it is preferable to use water from the viewpoints of availability and ease of handling in addition to the above-mentioned viewpoints.
Further, a medium having a refractive index of 1.5 or more can be used in that the refractive index can be further improved. This medium may be an aqueous solution or an organic solvent.

  When water is used as the immersion liquid, the surface tension of the water is decreased and the surface activity is increased, so that the resist film on the wafer is not dissolved and the influence on the optical coating on the lower surface of the lens element can be ignored. An additive (liquid) may be added in a small proportion. The additive is preferably an aliphatic alcohol having a refractive index substantially equal to that of water, and specifically includes methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and the like. By adding an alcohol having a refractive index substantially equal to that of water, even if the alcohol component in water evaporates and the content concentration changes, an advantage that the change in the refractive index of the entire liquid can be made extremely small can be obtained. On the other hand, when an opaque material or impurities whose refractive index is significantly different from that of water are mixed with 193 nm light, the optical image projected on the resist film is distorted. . Further, pure water filtered through an ion exchange filter or the like may be used.

The electrical resistance of water is desirably 18.3 MQcm or more, the TOC (organic substance concentration) is desirably 20 ppb or less, and deaeration treatment is desirably performed.
Moreover, it is possible to improve lithography performance by increasing the refractive index of the immersion liquid. From such a viewpoint, an additive for increasing the refractive index may be added to water, or heavy water (D ₂ O) may be used instead of water.

When the resist film made of the positive photosensitive composition of the present invention is exposed through an immersion medium, a hydrophobic resin (HR) can be further added as necessary. As a result, hydrophobic resin (HR) is unevenly distributed on the surface of the resist film, and when the immersion medium is water, the receding contact angle of the resist film surface with respect to the water when used as a resist film is improved, and the followability of immersion water is improved. Can be made. As the hydrophobic resin (HR), any resin can be used as long as the receding contact angle on the surface can be improved by adding it, but a resin having at least one of a fluorine atom and a silicon atom is preferable. The receding contact angle of the resist film is preferably 60 ° to 90 °, more preferably 70 ° or more. The addition amount can be adjusted and used as appropriate so that the receding contact angle of the resist film falls within the above range, but is preferably 0.1 to 10% by mass based on the total solid content of the positive resist composition, More preferably, it is 0.1-5 mass%. Hydrophobic resin (HR) is ubiquitous at the interface as described above, but unlike a surfactant, it does not necessarily have a hydrophilic group in the molecule, and polar / nonpolar substances are mixed uniformly. There is no need to contribute.
The receding contact angle is the contact angle measured when the contact line at the droplet-substrate interface recedes, and is useful for simulating the ease of droplet movement in a dynamic state. It is generally known. In simple terms, it can be defined as the contact angle when the droplet interface recedes when the droplet discharged from the needle tip is deposited on the substrate and then sucked into the needle again. Generally, it can be measured using a contact angle measurement method called an expansion / contraction method.
In the immersion exposure process, the immersion head needs to move on the wafer following the movement of the exposure head to scan the wafer at high speed to form the exposure pattern. In this case, the contact angle of the immersion liquid with respect to the resist film becomes important, and the resist is required to have the capability of following the high-speed scanning of the exposure head without leaving droplets.

  The fluorine atom or silicon atom in the hydrophobic resin (HR) may be contained in the main chain of the resin or may be substituted on the side chain.

The hydrophobic resin (HR) is preferably a resin having an alkyl group having a fluorine atom, a cycloalkyl group having a fluorine atom, or an aryl group having a fluorine atom as a partial structure having a fluorine atom.
The alkyl group having a fluorine atom (preferably having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms) is a linear or branched alkyl group in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted with a fluorine atom, It may have a substituent.
The cycloalkyl group having a fluorine atom is a monocyclic or polycyclic cycloalkyl group in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted with a fluorine atom, and may further have another substituent.
Examples of the aryl group having a fluorine atom include those in which at least one hydrogen atom of an aryl group such as a phenyl group or a naphthyl group is substituted with a fluorine atom, and may further have another substituent.

  Preferred examples of the alkyl group having a fluorine atom, the cycloalkyl group having a fluorine atom, or the aryl group having a fluorine atom include groups represented by the following general formulas (F2) to (F4). The present invention is not limited to this.

In general formulas (F2) to (F4),
R _{57 to} R ₆₈ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom or an alkyl group. However, at least one of R _{57 to} R ₆₁ , R _{62 to} R ₆₄ and R _{65 to} R ₆₈ is a fluorine atom or an alkyl group in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted with a fluorine atom (preferably having a carbon number of 1 ~ 4). R _{57 to} R ₆₁ and R _{65 to} R ₆₇ are preferably all fluorine atoms. R ₆₂ , R ₆₃ and R ₆₈ are preferably an alkyl group (preferably having 1 to 4 carbon atoms) in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted with a fluorine atom, and preferably a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Further preferred. R ₆₂ and R ₆₃ may be connected to each other to form a ring.

Specific examples of the group represented by the general formula (F2) include a p-fluorophenyl group, a pentafluorophenyl group, and a 3,5-di (trifluoromethyl) phenyl group.
Specific examples of the group represented by the general formula (F3) include trifluoromethyl group, pentafluoropropyl group, pentafluoroethyl group, heptafluorobutyl group, hexafluoroisopropyl group, heptafluoroisopropyl group, hexafluoro (2 -Methyl) isopropyl group, nonafluorobutyl group, octafluoroisobutyl group, nonafluorohexyl group, nonafluoro-t-butyl group, perfluoroisopentyl group, perfluorooctyl group, perfluoro (trimethyl) hexyl group, 2,2 1,3,3-tetrafluorocyclobutyl group, perfluorocyclohexyl group and the like. Hexafluoroisopropyl group, heptafluoroisopropyl group, hexafluoro (2-methyl) isopropyl group, octafluoroisobutyl group, nonafluoro-t-butyl group and perfluoroisopentyl group are preferable, and hexafluoroisopropyl group and heptafluoroisopropyl group are preferable. Further preferred.
Specific examples of the group represented by the general formula (F4) include, for example, —C (CF ₃ ) ₂ OH, —C (C ₂ F ₅ ) ₂ OH, —C (CF ₃ ) (CH ₃ ) OH, -CH (CF ₃₎ OH and the like, -C (CF _{3) 2} OH is preferred.

Hereinafter, although the specific example of the repeating unit which has a fluorine atom is shown, this invention is not limited to this.
In specific examples, X ₁ represents a hydrogen atom, —CH ₃ , —F or —CF ₃ .
X ₂ represents —F or —CF ₃ .

The hydrophobic resin (HR) is preferably a resin having an alkylsilyl structure (preferably a trialkylsilyl group) or a cyclic siloxane structure as a partial structure having a silicon atom.
Specific examples of the alkylsilyl structure or the cyclic siloxane structure include groups represented by the following general formulas (CS-1) to (CS-3).

In general formulas (CS-1) to (CS-3),
R _{12 to} R ₂₆ each independently represents a linear or branched alkyl group (preferably having 1 to 20 carbon atoms) or a cycloalkyl group (preferably having 3 to 20 carbon atoms).
L < ₃ > -L < ₅ > represents a single bond or a bivalent coupling group. As the divalent linking group, an alkylene group, a phenylene group, an ether group, a thioether group, a carbonyl group, an ester group, an amide group, a urethane group, or a urea group is used alone or in combination of two or more groups. A combination is mentioned.
n represents an integer of 1 to 5.

Hereinafter, although the specific example of the repeating unit which has group represented by general formula (CS-1)-(CS-3) is given, this invention is not limited to this. In specific examples, X ₁ represents a hydrogen atom, —CH ₃ , —F or —CF ₃ .

Furthermore, the hydrophobic resin (HR) may have at least one group selected from the following groups (x) to (z).
(X) an alkali-soluble group,
(Y) a group that decomposes by the action of an alkali developer and increases the solubility in the alkali developer;
(Z) A group that decomposes by the action of an acid.

(X) 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) imide group, bis (alkylcarbonyl) methylene group, bis (alkylcarbonyl) imide group, bis (alkylsulfonyl) methylene group, bis (alkylsulfonyl) imide group, tris (alkylcarbonyl) methylene group, tris (alkylsulfonyl) ) And a methylene group.
Preferred alkali-soluble groups include fluorinated alcohol groups (preferably hexafluoroisopropanol), sulfonimide groups, and bis (carbonyl) methylene groups.

Examples of the repeating unit having an alkali-soluble group (x) include 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 a main group of the resin via a linking group. Examples include repeating units in which an alkali-soluble group is bonded to the chain. Furthermore, a polymerization initiator or a chain transfer agent having an alkali-soluble group can be used at the time of polymerization to be introduced at the end of the polymer chain. Is also preferable.
The content of the repeating unit having an alkali-soluble group (x) is preferably from 1 to 50 mol%, more preferably from 3 to 35 mol%, still more preferably from 5 to 20 mol%, based on all repeating units in the polymer.

  Specific examples of the repeating unit having an alkali-soluble group (x) are shown below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

(Y) Examples of the group that decomposes by the action of an alkali developer and increases the solubility in the alkali developer include a group having a lactone structure, an acid anhydride group, an acid imide group, and the like, and preferably a lactone A group having a structure.
As the repeating unit having a group (y) that is decomposed by the action of an alkali developer and increases the solubility in the alkali developer, an alkali is added to the main chain of the resin, such as a repeating unit of an acrylate ester or a methacrylate ester. A polymerization initiator having a repeating unit to which a group (y) that decomposes by the action of the developer and increases the solubility in an alkali developer is bonded, or a group (y) that increases the solubility in an alkali developer And a chain transfer agent used at the time of polymerization are preferably introduced at the end of the polymer chain.
The content of the repeating unit having a group (y) whose solubility in an alkali developer is increased is preferably 1 to 40 mol%, more preferably 3 to 30 mol%, still more preferably based on all repeating units in the polymer. 5 to 15 mol%.

  Specific examples of the repeating unit having a group (y) that increases the solubility in an alkali developer include the same repeating units as those having a lactone structure exemplified for the resin of the component (B).

  In the hydrophobic resin (HR), examples of the repeating unit having a group (z) that is decomposed by the action of an acid are the same as the repeating unit having an acid-decomposable group exemplified in the resin of the component (B). . In the hydrophobic resin (HR), the content of the repeating unit having a group (z) that is decomposed by the action of an acid is preferably 1 to 80 mol%, more preferably 10 to 10%, based on all repeating units in the polymer. 80 mol%, more preferably 20 to 60 mol%.

  The hydrophobic resin (HR) may further have a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (III).

In general formula (III):
R ₄ represents a group having an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, or a cycloalkenyl group.
L ₆ represents a single bond or a divalent linking group.

In general formula (III), the alkyl group represented by R ₄ is preferably a linear or branched alkyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms.
The cycloalkyl group is preferably a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms.
The alkenyl group is preferably an alkenyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms.
The cycloalkenyl group is preferably a cycloalkenyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms.
The divalent linking group of L ₆ is preferably an alkylene group (preferably having 1 to 5 carbon atoms) or an oxy group.

When the hydrophobic resin (HR) has a fluorine atom, the fluorine atom content is preferably 5 to 80% by mass, and 10 to 80% by mass with respect to the molecular weight of the hydrophobic resin (HR). Is more preferable. Moreover, it is preferable that the repeating unit containing a fluorine atom is 10-100 mass% in hydrophobic resin (HR), and it is more preferable that it is 30-100 mass%.
When the hydrophobic resin (HR) has a silicon atom, the content of the silicon atom is preferably 2 to 50% by mass and preferably 2 to 30% by mass with respect to the molecular weight of the hydrophobic resin (HR). Is more preferable. Moreover, it is preferable that it is 10-100 mass% in hydrophobic resin (HR), and, as for the repeating unit containing a silicon atom, it is more preferable that it is 20-100 mass%.

  The weight average molecular weight of the hydrophobic resin (HR) in terms of standard polystyrene is preferably 1,000 to 100,000, more preferably 1,000 to 50,000, and even more preferably 2,000 to 15,000. is there.

  As for the hydrophobic resin (HR), it is preferable that the residual monomer and oligomer components are 0 to 10% by mass, more preferably, as in the resin of the component (B), there are few impurities such as metals. Is more preferably 0 to 5% by mass and 0 to 1% by mass. Thereby, a resist having no change over time such as foreign matter in liquid or sensitivity can be obtained. The molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn, also referred to as dispersity) is preferably in the range of 1 to 5, more preferably 1 to 3, and still more preferably from the viewpoints of resolution, resist shape, resist pattern sidewall, roughness, and the like. It is the range of 1-2.

  As the hydrophobic resin (HR), various commercially available products can be used, or they 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 positive resist 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 examples of the initiator include azobisisobutyronitrile, azobisdimethylvaleronitrile, dimethyl 2,2′-azobis (2-methylpropionate) and the like. The concentration of the reaction is 5 to 50% by mass, preferably 30 to 50% by mass. The reaction temperature is usually 10 ° C to 150 ° C, preferably 30 ° C to 120 ° C, more preferably 60-100 ° C.

  After completion of the reaction, the mixture is allowed to cool to room temperature and purified. Purification can be accomplished by a liquid-liquid extraction method that removes residual monomers and oligomer components by combining water and an appropriate solvent, and a purification method in a solution state such as ultrafiltration that extracts and removes only those having a specific molecular weight or less. , Reprecipitation method that removes residual monomer by coagulating resin in poor solvent by dripping resin solution into poor solvent and purification in solid state such as washing filtered resin slurry with poor solvent A normal method such as a method can be applied. For example, the resin is precipitated as a solid by contacting a solvent (poor solvent) in which the resin is hardly soluble or insoluble in a volume amount of 10 times or less, preferably 10 to 5 times that of the reaction solution.

  The solvent (precipitation or reprecipitation solvent) used in the precipitation or reprecipitation operation from the polymer solution may be a poor solvent for the polymer, and may be a hydrocarbon, halogenated hydrocarbon, nitro, depending on the type of polymer. A compound, ether, ketone, ester, carbonate, alcohol, carboxylic acid, water, a mixed solvent containing these solvents, and the like can be appropriately selected for use. Among these, as a precipitation or reprecipitation solvent, a solvent containing at least an alcohol (particularly methanol or the like) or water is preferable.

  The amount of the precipitation or reprecipitation solvent used can be appropriately selected in consideration of efficiency, yield, and the like, but generally 100 to 10000 parts by mass, preferably 200 to 2000 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polymer solution, More preferably, it is 300-1000 mass parts.

  The temperature for precipitation or reprecipitation can be appropriately selected in consideration of efficiency and operability, but is usually about 0 to 50 ° C., preferably around room temperature (for example, about 20 to 35 ° C.). The precipitation or reprecipitation operation can be performed by a known method such as a batch method or a continuous method using a conventional mixing vessel such as a stirring tank.

  The precipitated or re-precipitated polymer is usually subjected to conventional solid-liquid separation such as filtration and centrifugation, and dried before use. Filtration is performed using a solvent-resistant filter medium, preferably under pressure. Drying is performed at a temperature of about 30 to 100 ° C., preferably about 30 to 50 ° C. under normal pressure or reduced pressure (preferably under reduced pressure).

  The resin may be once deposited and separated, and then dissolved again in a solvent, and the resin may be brought into contact with a hardly soluble or insoluble solvent. That is, after completion of the radical polymerization reaction, a solvent in which the polymer is hardly soluble or insoluble is brought into contact, the resin is precipitated (step a), the resin is separated from the solution (step b), and dissolved again in the solvent. (Step c), and then contact the resin solution A with a solvent in which the resin is hardly soluble or insoluble in a volume amount less than 10 times that of the resin solution A (preferably 5 times or less volume). This may be a method including precipitating a resin solid (step d) and separating the precipitated resin (step e).

  Specific examples of the hydrophobic resin (HR) are shown below. Table 1 below shows the molar ratio of the repeating units in each resin (corresponding to each repeating unit in order from the left), the weight average molecular weight, and the degree of dispersion.

Since the resist film is not directly brought into contact with the immersion liquid between the resist film of the positive resist composition of the present invention and the immersion liquid, it is also referred to as an “immersion liquid hardly soluble film” (hereinafter referred to as “top coat”). ) May be provided. The necessary functions for the top coat are suitability for application to the upper layer of the resist, radiation, especially transparency to 193 nm, and poor immersion liquid solubility. It is preferable that the top coat is not mixed with the resist and can be uniformly applied to the resist upper layer.
From the viewpoint of 193 nm transparency, the top coat is preferably a polymer that does not contain abundant aromatics. Specifically, the polymer contains a hydrocarbon polymer, an acrylate polymer, polymethacrylic acid, polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl ether, and silicon. Examples thereof include a polymer and a fluorine-containing polymer. The aforementioned hydrophobic resin (HR) is also suitable as a top coat. From the viewpoint of contaminating the optical lens when impurities are eluted from the top coat into the immersion liquid, it is preferable that the residual monomer component of the polymer contained in the top coat is small.

When peeling the top coat, a developer may be used, or a separate release agent may be used. As the release agent, a solvent having a small penetration into the resist film is preferable. It is preferable that the peeling process can be performed with an alkali developer in that the peeling process can be performed simultaneously with the resist film development process. From the viewpoint of peeling with an alkaline developer, the topcoat is preferably acidic, but may be neutral or alkaline from the viewpoint of non-intermixability with the resist film.
The resolution is improved when there is no difference in refractive index between the top coat and the immersion liquid. In the case of using water as the immersion liquid in an ArF excimer laser (wavelength: 193 nm), the top coat for ArF immersion exposure is preferably close to the refractive index of the immersion liquid. From the viewpoint of making the refractive index close to the immersion liquid, it is preferable to have fluorine atoms in the topcoat. A thin film is more preferable from the viewpoint of transparency and refractive index.

  The top coat is preferably not mixed with the resist film and further not mixed with the immersion liquid. From this point of view, when the immersion liquid is water, the solvent used for the top coat is preferably a water-insoluble medium that is hardly soluble in the solvent used for the positive resist composition. Furthermore, when the immersion liquid is an organic solvent, the topcoat may be water-soluble or water-insoluble.

Before forming the photosensitive 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.

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.

In the development step, an alkaline developer is used as follows. Examples of the alkaline developer of the positive photosensitive composition include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium metasilicate, aqueous ammonia and other inorganic alkalis, ethylamine, n-propylamine and the like. Secondary amines such as amines, diethylamine and di-n-butylamine, tertiary amines such as triethylamine and methyldiethylamine, alcohol amines such as dimethylethanolamine and triethanolamine, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, tetraethylammonium hydroxy Alkaline aqueous solutions such as quaternary ammonium salts such as pyrrole and 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.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates this invention, this invention is not limited to this.

Synthesis Example 1 (Synthesis of resin (RA-1))
Under a nitrogen stream, 10.5 g of cyclohexanone was placed in a three-necked flask and heated to 80 ° C. To this, 4.3 g of γ-butyrolactone methacrylate, 5.9 g of 3-hydroxyadamantyl-1-methacrylate, 9.2 g of 1-ethylcyclopentyl-1-methacrylate, and 4 mol of polymerization initiator V-601 (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries) with respect to the monomer. % Was dissolved dropwise in 83 g of cyclohexanone over 6 hours. After completion of the dropping, the reaction was further carried out at 80 ° C. for 2 hours. The reaction solution was allowed to cool and then added dropwise over 20 minutes to a mixture of methanol 900 m / water 100 ml, and the precipitated powder was collected by filtration and dried, yielding 20 g of resin (RA-1). The weight average molecular weight of the obtained resin was 12200 in terms of standard polystyrene, and the dispersity (Mw / Mn) was 1.80.

  Other resins were synthesized using the same method. The weight average molecular weight was adjusted by changing the amount of the polymerization initiator.

  Hereinafter, the structure of the produced resin is shown.

Examples and Comparative Examples <Resist Preparation>
The components shown in Table 1 below were dissolved in a solvent to prepare a solution having a solid content concentration of 8% by mass, and this was filtered through a polyethylene filter having a pore size of 0.03 μm to prepare a positive resist solution. The prepared positive resist solution was evaluated by the following method, and the results are also shown in Table 1.

<Resist evaluation>
An antireflection film DUV-42 manufactured by Brewer Science Co., Ltd. was uniformly applied to 600 Å on a silicon substrate subjected to hexamethyldisilazane treatment with a spin coater, dried on a hot plate at 100 ° C. for 90 seconds, and then at 190 ° C. Heat drying was performed for 240 seconds. Thereafter, each positive resist solution was applied by a spin coater and dried at 120 ° C. for 60 seconds to form a 160 nm resist film.
This resist film was exposed with an ArF excimer laser stepper (NAML = 0.75, 2/3 ring zone) through a mask, and heated on a hot plate at 120 ° C. for 60 seconds immediately after the exposure. Further, the resist film was developed with a 2.38 mass% tetramethylammonium hydroxide aqueous solution at 23 ° C. for 60 seconds, rinsed with pure water for 30 seconds, and then dried to obtain a line 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 to be resolved. A smaller value indicates that a finer pattern is resolved without falling, and pattern falling is less likely to occur.

Line edge roughness (LER) evaluation method:
Using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), observe the 80 nm line and space (1/1), and measure the distance from the reference line where the edge of the line pattern should be in the range of 2 μm in the longitudinal direction. Ten points were measured with a length measurement SEM (Hitachi, Ltd. S-8840), the standard deviation was obtained, 3σ was calculated, and used as an index of line edge roughness (LER). The smaller the value, the better the performance.

  The abbreviations in the table are shown below.

[Basic compounds]
DIA: 2,6-diisopropylaniline TMEA: Tris (methoxyethoxyethyl) amine PEA: N-phenyldiethanolamine [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

  From Table 1, it is clear that the positive photosensitive composition of the present invention is excellent in pattern collapse and roughness.

(Immersion exposure)
To the positive resist composition of the present invention, a hydrophobic resin (HR) is added or no hydrophobic resin (HR) is contained, and after forming a resist film, a hydrophobic resin (HR) is contained in the upper layer. After the topcoat protective film was formed, the pattern collapsed and the good image performance with excellent roughness were also shown in the exposure method using the immersion liquid.

Claims (8)

(A) a compound that generates an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation,
(B) a resin whose dissolution rate in an alkaline developer is increased by the action of an acid, and
(C) A resin having a repeating unit (c1) having a lactone group and a repeating unit (c2) having a partial structure represented by the general formula (1-1) or (1-2) ,
A positive photosensitive composition comprising:
Formula (1-1): —NH—SO ₂ —R
Formula (1-2): —SO ₂ —NH—R
In the general formulas (1-1) and (1-2), R represents a group having a fluorinated alkyl group or an alicyclic hydrocarbon group. Resin (C) has a partial structure represented by the general formula (1-1), and the partial structure represented by the general formula (1-1) is represented by the general formula (1-1 ′) The positive photosensitive composition according to claim 1, which has a structure.
Formula (1-1 ′): —NH—SO ₂ —L ₁ —R ′
In general formula (1-1 ′),
L ₁ represents a single bond or a divalent linking group.
R ′ represents a fluorinated alkyl group or an alicyclic hydrocarbon group. Resin (C) has a partial structure represented by general formula (1-2), and the partial structure represented by general formula (1-2) is represented by general formula (1-2 ′) The positive photosensitive composition according to claim 1, which has a structure.
Formula (1-2 ′): —SO ₂ —NH—L ₂ —R ′
In general formula (1-2 ′),
L ₂ represents a single bond or a divalent linking group.
R ′ represents a fluorinated alkyl group or an alicyclic hydrocarbon group.   The positive photosensitive resin according to claim 1, wherein the resin (C) further has a repeating unit (c3) having at least one group selected from a hydroxyl group and an acid-decomposable group. Sex composition.   The positive photosensitive composition according to claim 1, wherein the content ratio of the repeating unit (c2) in the resin (C) is 5 to 25 mol%. 6. The positive photosensitive composition according to claim 4, wherein the resin (C) contains a repeating unit having an acid-decomposable group having a structure represented by the general formula (I).

In general formula (I),
Xa ₁ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cyano group, or a halogen atom.
Rx _{1 to} Rx ₃ each independently represents an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group. At least two of Rx _{1 to} Rx ₃ may be bonded to form a cycloalkyl group.
Z represents a single bond or a divalent linking group.   The positive photosensitive composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the content of the resin (C) is 0.1 to 50% by mass of the total solid content of the positive photosensitive composition. object.   A pattern forming method comprising a step of forming a film with the positive photosensitive composition according to claim 1, and exposing and developing the film.