JP4796811B2 - Positive resist composition and pattern forming method using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a positive resist composition used in a semiconductor manufacturing process such as an IC, a circuit board such as a liquid crystal or a thermal head, and also in a lithography process for other photo applications, and a pattern forming method using the same. It is. In particular, the present invention relates to a positive resist composition suitable for exposure with an immersion projection exposure apparatus using far ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 300 nm or less as a light source, and a pattern forming method using the same.

With the miniaturization of semiconductor elements, the exposure light source has become shorter in wavelength and the projection lens has a higher numerical aperture (high NA). Currently, an exposure machine with NA 0.84 using an ArF excimer laser having a 193 nm wavelength as a light source has been developed. ing. These can be expressed by the following equations as is generally well known.
(Resolving power) = k ₁ · (λ / NA)
(Depth of focus) = ± k ₂ · λ / NA ²
Where λ is the wavelength of the exposure light source, NA is the numerical aperture of the projection lens, and k ₁ and k ₂ are coefficients related to the process.

An exposure machine using a F ₂ excimer laser having a wavelength of 157 nm as a light source has been studied for higher resolution by further shortening the wavelength. Lens materials and resists used in the exposure apparatus for shorter wavelength have been studied. Because the materials used in the process are very limited, it is very difficult to stabilize the manufacturing cost and quality of the apparatus and materials, and the exposure apparatus and resist that have sufficient performance and stability within the required period are not in time. The possibility is coming out.

As a technique for increasing the resolving power in an optical microscope, a so-called immersion method in which a high refractive index liquid (hereinafter also referred to as “immersion liquid”) is filled between a projection lens and a sample is known.
This “immersion effect” means that when λ ₀ is the wavelength of the exposure light in the air, n is the refractive index of the immersion liquid with respect to air, θ is the convergence angle of the light beam, and NA ₀ = sin θ. The above-described resolving power and depth of focus can be expressed by the following equations.
(Resolving power) = k ₁ · (λ ₀ / n) / NA ₀
(Depth of focus) = ± k ₂ · (λ ₀ / n) / NA ₀ ²
That is, the immersion effect is equivalent to using an exposure wavelength having a wavelength of 1 / n. In other words, in the case of a projection optical system with the same NA, the depth of focus can be increased n times by immersion. This is effective for all pattern shapes, and can be combined with a super-resolution technique such as a phase shift method and a modified illumination method which are currently being studied.

Examples of apparatuses in which this effect is applied to the transfer of a fine image pattern of a semiconductor element are introduced in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-153433), Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-220990), and the like. Yes.
Recent progress in immersion exposure technology is described in Non-Patent Document 1 (SPIE Proc 4688, 11 (2002)), Non-Patent Document 2 (J. Vac. Sci. Tecnol. B 17 (1999)), Non-Patent Document 3 (SPIE Proc 3999,2 (2000)), Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-303114), Patent Document 4 (International Publication WO 2004-077158 Pamphlet) and the like. In the case of using an ArF excimer laser as a light source, pure water (refractive index of 1.44 at 193 nm) is considered to be most promising as an immersion liquid from the viewpoint of handling safety, transmittance and refractive index at 193 nm. When an F ₂ excimer laser is used as a light source, a solution containing fluorine has been studied from the balance between transmittance and refractive index at 157 nm. However, a sufficient product has not yet been seen in terms of environmental safety and refractive index. It has not been issued. From the degree of immersion effect and the degree of completeness of the resist, the immersion exposure technique is considered to be installed in the ArF exposure machine earliest.

Since the resist for KrF excimer laser (248 nm), an image forming method called chemical amplification has been used as an image forming method for a resist in order to compensate for sensitivity reduction due to light absorption. Explaining by taking a positive chemical amplification image forming method as an example, the acid generator in the exposed area is decomposed by exposure to generate an acid upon exposure, and the generated acid is reacted as a reaction catalyst by post exposure baking (PEB). Is used to change an alkali-insoluble group to an alkali-soluble group, and an exposed portion is removed by alkali development.
Although resists for ArF excimer laser (wavelength 193 nm) using this chemical amplification mechanism are becoming mainstream at present, further improvements in profile and line edge roughness are required.
Line edge roughness means that the resist line pattern and the edge of the substrate interface exhibit irregularly varying shapes in a direction perpendicular to the line direction due to the characteristics of the resist. When this pattern is observed from directly above, the edges appear to be uneven (± several nm to several tens of nm). Since the unevenness is transferred to the substrate by an etching process, if the unevenness is large, an electrical characteristic defect is caused and the yield is lowered.

  It is pointed out that when chemically amplified resist is applied to immersion exposure, the resist layer comes into contact with the immersion liquid at the time of exposure, so that the resist layer is altered and components that adversely affect the immersion liquid are leached from the resist layer. Has been. Patent Document 5 (International Publication WO 2004-068242 pamphlet) describes an example in which resist performance is changed by immersing a resist for ArF exposure in water before and after exposure, and points to a problem in immersion exposure. .

JP-A-57-153433 JP-A-7-220990 JP-A-10-303114 International Publication WO2004-077158 Pamphlet International Publication WO 2004-068242 Pamphlet Proc. SPIE, 2002, Vol. 4688, p. 11 J.Vac.Sci.Tecnol.B 17 (1999) Proc. SPIE, 2000, Vol. 3999, p. 2

  An object of the present invention is to provide a positive resist composition with improved profile and line edge roughness and suitable for immersion exposure, and a pattern forming method using the same.

Ｒｂ_２は置換基を表す。ｎ_２は、０〜４の整数を表す。ｎ_２が、２以上の時、複数存在するＲｂ_２は、同一でも異なっていてもよく、また、複数存在するＲｂ_２同士が結合して環を形成してもよい。
（Ｘ）_ｎ−Ｙ−ＳＨ （１）
一般式（１）に於いて、
Ｘは、水酸基を表す。
Ｙは、（ｎ＋１）価の連結基を表す。
ｎは、２〜５の整数を表す。
〔２〕 前記極性基を有する連鎖移動剤が、シアノ基又はカルボン酸基を有する連鎖移動剤であることを特徴とする〔１〕に記載のポジ型レジスト組成物。
〔３〕 前記極性基を有する連鎖移動剤が、前記一般式（１）で表される連鎖移動剤であることを特徴とする〔１〕に記載のポジ型レジスト組成物。
〔４〕 （Ａ）成分の樹脂中に含まれる残留単量体の含有量が、５質量％以下であることを特徴とする〔１〕〜〔３〕のいずれかに記載のポジ型レジスト組成物。
〔５〕 〔１〕〜〔４〕のいずれかに記載のポジ型レジスト組成物により、レジスト膜を形成し、該レジスト膜を露光、現像する工程を含むことを特徴とするパターン形成方法。
本発明は、上記〔１〕〜〔５〕に係る発明であるが、以下、参考のため、他の事項も含めて記載している。 The present invention is a positive resist composition having the following constitution and a pattern forming method using the same, whereby the above object of the present invention is achieved.
[1] (A) A resin having a monocyclic or polycyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure, which decomposes by the action of an acid and increases the solubility in an alkali developer, and (B) an acid upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation. A positive resist composition containing a compound that generates
The resin of component (A) is a resin polymerized using a chain transfer agent having a polar group, and has a repeating unit having a lactone structure represented by the following general formula (LC1-4 ) or ( LC1-5 ) A positive transfer resin characterized in that the chain transfer agent having a polar group is a chain transfer agent having a cyano group or a carboxylic acid group, or a chain transfer agent represented by the following general formula (1) Resist composition.

Rb ₂ represents a substituent. n ₂ represents an integer of 0-4. When n ₂ 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.
(X) _n -Y-SH (1)
In general formula (1),
X represents a hydroxyl group.
Y represents a (n + 1) -valent linking group.
n represents an integer of 2 to 5.
[2] The positive resist composition as described in [1], wherein the chain transfer agent having a polar group is a chain transfer agent having a cyano group or a carboxylic acid group.
[3] The positive resist composition as described in [1], wherein the chain transfer agent having a polar group is a chain transfer agent represented by the general formula (1).
[4] The positive resist composition as described in any one of [1] to [3], wherein the content of the residual monomer contained in the resin as the component (A) is 5% by mass or less. object.
[5] A pattern forming method comprising the steps of: forming a resist film from the positive resist composition according to any one of [1] to [4]; and exposing and developing the resist film.
The present invention is the invention according to the above [1] to [5], but is described below including other matters for reference.

  (1) (A) a resin having a monocyclic or polycyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure, which decomposes by the action of an acid and increases the solubility in an alkali developer, and (B) an acid upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation. A positive resist composition containing a compound capable of generating a polymer, wherein the resin of component (A) is a resin polymerized using a chain transfer agent having a polar group.

(2) The positive resist composition as described in (1), wherein the chain transfer agent having a polar group is a compound represented by the following general formula (1).
(X) _n -Y-SH (1)
In general formula (1),
X represents a polar group.
Y represents a (n + 1) -valent linking group.
n represents an integer of 1 to 5.

  (3) The positive resist composition as described in (1) or (2), wherein the polar group is a hydroxyl group, a cyano group or a carboxylic acid group.

  (4) The positive resist composition as described in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the content of the residual monomer contained in the resin as the component (A) is 5% by mass or less. object.

  (5) A pattern forming method comprising: forming a resist film from the positive resist composition according to any one of (1) to (4); and exposing and developing the resist film.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a positive resist composition with improved profile and line edge roughness and suitable for immersion exposure, and a pattern forming method using the same.

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

(A) A resin having a monocyclic or polycyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure, decomposed by the action of an acid, and increased in solubility in an alkali developer, and polymerized using a chain transfer agent having a polar group Resin The resin used in the positive resist composition of the present invention has a monocyclic or polycyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure, is decomposed by the action of an acid, and has increased solubility in an alkali developer, A resin polymerized using a chain transfer agent having a polar group (hereinafter also referred to as “alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin” or “resin (A)”).

The alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin is a group (hereinafter referred to as “acid-decomposable”) that decomposes into the main chain or side chain of the resin or both the main chain and the side chain by the action of an acid to generate an alkali-soluble group. Group).
Alkali-soluble groups include phenolic hydroxyl groups, carboxylic acid groups, fluorinated alcohol groups, sulfonic acid groups, sulfonamido groups, sulfonylimide groups, (alkylsulfonyl) (alkylcarbonyl) methylene groups, (alkylsulfonyl) (alkylcarbonyl) Imido group, bis (alkylcarbonyl) methylene group, bis (alkylcarbonyl) imide group, bis (alkylsulfonyl) methylene group, bis (alkylsulfonyl) imide group, tris (alkylcarbonyl) methylene group, tris (alkylsulfonyl) methylene group A group having
Preferred alkali-soluble groups include carboxylic acid groups, fluorinated alcohol groups (preferably hexafluoroisopropanol), and sulfonic acid groups.
A preferable group as the acid-decomposable group is a group obtained by substituting the hydrogen atom of these alkali-soluble groups with a group capable of leaving with an acid.
The acid-decomposable group is preferably a cumyl ester group, an enol ester group, an acetal ester group, a tertiary alkyl ester group or the like. More preferably, it is a tertiary alkyl ester group.

  The resin (A) includes a repeating unit having a partial structure containing an alicyclic hydrocarbon represented by the following general formula (pI) to general formula (pV) and a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (II-AB). A resin having at least one selected from the group is preferred.

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

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

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

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

Examples of the linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms of R _{12 to} R _{25 in} the general formulas (pI) to (pV) include a methyl group, an ethyl group, and an n-propyl group. Isopropyl group, n-butyl group, isobutyl group, sec-butyl group and the like.

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

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

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

  The structures represented by the general formulas (pI) to (pV) in the resin can be used for protecting an alkali-soluble group and constitute an acid-decomposable group.

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

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

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

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

Examples of the halogen atom in the general formula (II-AB), R ₁₁ ′, and R ₁₂ ′ include a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, a fluorine atom, and an iodine atom.

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

  The atomic group for forming the alicyclic structure of Z ′ is an atomic group that forms a repeating unit of an alicyclic hydrocarbon which may have a substituent in a resin, and among them, a bridged type alicyclic group. An atomic group for forming a bridged alicyclic structure forming a cyclic hydrocarbon repeating unit is preferred.

Examples of the alicyclic hydrocarbon skeleton to be formed include the same alicyclic hydrocarbon groups as R _{11 to} R _{25 in} the general formulas (pI) to (pV).

The alicyclic hydrocarbon skeleton may have a substituent. Examples of such a substituent include R ₁₃ ′ to R ₁₆ ′ in the general formula (II-AB1) or (II-AB2).

  In the alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin according to the present invention, the group decomposed by the action of an acid has a partial structure containing the alicyclic hydrocarbon represented by the general formula (pI) to the general formula (pV). It can be contained in at least one kind of repeating unit among the repeating unit having, the repeating unit represented by formula (II-AB), and the repeating unit of the copolymerization component described later.

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

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

  The alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin of the present invention preferably has a group having a lactone ring. As the group having a lactone ring, any group having a lactone ring can be used, but a group having a 5- to 7-membered ring lactone structure is preferred. A structure in which another ring structure is condensed to form a structure or a spiro structure is preferable. A group having a lactone structure represented by any of the following general formulas (LC1-1) to (LC1-16) is more preferable. Further, a group having a lactone structure may be directly bonded to the main chain. Preferred lactone structures are (LC1-1), (LC1-4), (LC1-5), (LC1-6), (LC1-13), and (LC1-14). Edge roughness and development defects are improved.

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. 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.

As the repeating unit having a group having a lactone structure represented by any of the general formulas (LC1-1) to (LC1-13), R _{13 in the} above general formula (II-AB1) or (II-AB2) may be used. Wherein at least one of 'to R ₁₆ ' has a group represented by the general formulas (LC1-1) to (LC1-16) (for example, R _{5 of} -COOR ₅ is represented by the general formulas (LC1-1) to (LC1) -16) or a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (AI).

In general formula (AI),
R _b0 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Preferable substituents that the alkyl group for R _b0 may have include a hydroxyl group and a halogen atom. Examples of the halogen atom for R _b0 include a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, and an iodine atom. R _b0 is preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.
A _b is an alkylene group, a divalent linking group having a monocyclic or polycyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure, a single bond, an ether group, an ester group, a carbonyl group, a carboxyl group, or a divalent group obtained by combining these. Represents. Preferably a single bond, -Ab ₁ -CO ₂ - is a 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 cyclohexyl group, an adamantyl group, or a norbornyl group.
V represents a group 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.
Specific examples of the repeating unit having a group having a lactone structure are given below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin of the present invention preferably contains a repeating unit having an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure substituted with a polar group. This improves the substrate adhesion and developer compatibility. The polar group is preferably a hydroxyl group or a cyano group.
Preferred examples of the alicyclic hydrocarbon structure substituted with a polar group include structures represented by general formulas (VIIa) and (VIIb).

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

The group represented by the general formula (VIIa) or (VIIb) is preferably a dihydroxy body or a monohydroxy body, and more preferably a dihydroxy body.

As the repeating unit having a group represented by the general formula (VIIa) or (VIIb), at least one of R ₁₃ ′ to R ₁₆ ′ in the general formula (II-AB1) or (II-AB2) is Having the group represented by the above general formula (VIIa) or (VIIb) (for example, R _{5 of} —COOR ₅ represents a group represented by the general formula (VIIa) or (VIIb)), or the following general formula The repeating unit represented by (AII) can be mentioned.

In general formulas (AIIa) and (AIIb),
R _1c represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a trifluoromethyl group or a hydroxymethyl group.

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

  The alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin of the present invention may have a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (VIII).

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

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

  The alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin of the present invention preferably has a repeating unit having an alkali-soluble group, and more preferably has a repeating unit having a carboxyl group. By containing this, the resolution in contact hole applications increases. The repeating unit having a carboxyl group includes a repeating unit in which a carboxyl group is directly bonded to the main chain of the resin, such as a repeating unit of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, or a carboxyl group in the main chain of the resin through a linking group. Any of the bonded repeating units is preferable, and the linking group may have a monocyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon structure. Most preferred are acrylic acid and methacrylic acid.

  The alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin of the present invention may further have a repeating unit having 1 to 3 groups represented by the general formula (F1). This improves line edge roughness performance.

In general formula (F1),
R _{50 to} R ₅₅ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom or an alkyl group. However, at least one of R _{50 to} R ₅₅ represents a fluorine atom or an alkyl group in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted with a fluorine atom.
Rxa represents a hydrogen atom or an organic group (preferably an acid-decomposable protective group, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an acyl group, or an alkoxycarbonyl group).

The alkyl group of R _{50 to} R ₅₅ may be substituted with a halogen atom such as a fluorine atom, a cyano group, etc., preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, such as a methyl group or a trifluoromethyl group. be able to. R _{50 to} R ₅₅ are preferably all fluorine atoms.

  Examples of the organic group represented by Rxa include an acid-decomposable protecting group and an optionally substituted alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, acyl group, alkylcarbonyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, alkoxycarbonylmethyl group, alkoxymethyl group. , 1-alkoxyethyl group is preferable.

  The repeating unit having the general formula (F1) is preferably a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (F2).

In general formula,
Rx represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Preferable substituents that the alkyl group of Rx may have include a hydroxyl group and a halogen atom.
Fa represents a single bond or a linear or branched alkylene group, preferably a single bond.
Fb represents a monocyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon group.
Fc represents a single bond or a linear or branched alkylene group (preferably a single bond or a methylene group).
F ₁ represents a group represented by the general formula (F1).
p ₁ is an integer of 1 to 3.
The cyclic hydrocarbon group for Fb is preferably a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, or a norbornyl group.

  Specific examples of the repeating unit having the structure of the general formula (F1) are shown below.

In addition to the above repeating structural units, the alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin of the present invention has a dry etching resistance, standard developer suitability, substrate adhesion, resist profile, and resolving power that is a general necessary characteristic of a resist. It can have various repeating structural units for the purpose of adjusting heat resistance, sensitivity and the like.

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

Thereby, performance required for the alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin, 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 alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resins, the molar ratio of each repeating structural unit is the resist's dry etching resistance, standard developer suitability, substrate adhesion, resist profile, and resolution that is a general required performance of resists. In order to adjust heat resistance, sensitivity, etc., it is set appropriately.

Preferred embodiments of the alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin of the present invention include the following.
(1) What contains the repeating unit which has a partial structure containing the alicyclic hydrocarbon represented by said general formula (pI)-(pV) (side chain type). Those having a (meth) acrylate repeating unit preferably having a structure of (pI) to (pV).
(2) Those having a repeating unit represented by formula (II-AB)) (main chain type). However, in (2), for example, the following can be further mentioned.
(3) Those having a repeating unit represented by the general formula (II-AB), a repeating unit by a maleic anhydride derivative and a repeating unit by (meth) acrylate (hybrid type).

  In the alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin, the content of the repeating unit having an acid-decomposable group is preferably 10 to 60 mol%, more preferably 20 to 50 mol%, still more preferably 25 in all repeating structural units. -40 mol%.

  In the alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin, the content of the repeating unit having a partial structure containing the alicyclic hydrocarbon represented by the general formulas (pI) to (pV) is 25 to 70 in all the repeating structural units. The mol% is preferable, more preferably 35 to 65 mol%, and still more preferably 40 to 60 mol%.

  In the alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin, the content of the repeating unit represented by the general formula (II-AB) is preferably 10 to 60 mol%, more preferably 15 to 55 mol% in all repeating structural units. More preferably, it is 20-50 mol%.

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

When the composition of the present invention is for ArF exposure, the resin preferably has no aromatic group from the viewpoint of transparency to ArF light.
The alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin used in the present invention is preferably one in which all of the repeating units are composed of (meth) acrylate repeating units. In this case, all of the repeating units may be methacrylate, all of the repeating units may be acrylate, or a mixture of methacrylate / acrylate, but the acrylate repeating unit is preferably 50 mol% or less of the entire repeating unit. More preferably 25 to 50% of repeating units having a partial structure containing an alicyclic hydrocarbon represented by general formulas (pI) to (pV), 25 to 50% of repeating units containing the lactone structure, and the polar group 5 to 20% of a terpolymer having 5 to 30% of repeating units having an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure substituted with, or 5 to 20 of repeating units containing a carboxyl group or a structure represented by formula (F1). % Quaternary copolymer.

[Chain transfer agent]
The alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin of the present invention is characterized by using a chain transfer agent having a polar group (hereinafter also referred to as “chain transfer agent (P)”) at the time of polymerization.
The chain transfer agent having a polar group is preferably a radical chain transfer agent, and particularly a thiol compound that is excellent in production stability and safety.

Preferable examples of the chain transfer agent (P) include compounds represented by the following general formula (1).
(X) _n -Y-SH (1)
In general formula (1),
X represents a polar group. When there are a plurality of Xs, the plurality of Xs may be the same or different.
Y represents a (n + 1) -valent linking group.
n represents an integer of 1 to 5.

  Examples of the polar group of X include a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, a carboxylic acid group, a sulfonic acid group, an alkoxy group, an acyloxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylamide group, an alkylsulfonamide group, a lactone group, and an alkylsulfone group. , Alkylsulfonate groups, nitro groups, and the like. Of these, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, and a carboxylic acid group are preferable, and a cyano group is more preferable.

As the (n + 1) -valent linking group for Y, for example, an alkane residue (preferably a residue obtained by removing (n + 1) hydrogen atoms from an alkane having 1 to 15 carbon atoms) may have a substituent. ), A cycloalkane residue (preferably a residue obtained by removing (n + 1) hydrogen atoms from a cycloalkane having 3 to 15 carbon atoms), an aromatic compound residue (preferably an aromatic compound having 6 to 15 carbon atoms) (Residues from which (n + 1) hydrogen atoms have been removed) and the like, cycloalkane residues are preferred, norbornane residues (residues from which (n + 1) hydrogen atoms have been removed from norbornane), adamantane residues The group (residue from which (n + 1) hydrogen atoms have been removed from adamantane) is more preferred. In addition to the polar group of X, the (n + 1) -valent linking group of Y may further have a substituent such as a halogen atom (a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, or an iodine atom).

  n is preferably 1-2.

  Specific examples of the compound represented by the general formula (1) are listed below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin of the present invention can be synthesized using a radical polymerization initiator and a chain transfer agent (P). That is, various monomers are uniformly dissolved in a solvent as necessary, charged into a reaction vessel all at once or in the middle of the reaction, and heated as necessary under an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen or argon to produce radical polymerization initiators and chains. Polymerization is initiated using a transfer agent (P). Add radical polymerization initiator and chain transfer agent (P) as desired or add them in portions, and after completion of the reaction, put them into a solvent and recover the desired alicyclic hydrocarbon acid decomposability by methods such as powder or solid recovery Collect the resin.
The addition amount of the chain transfer agent (P) in the solid content of the reaction solution is preferably 0.5 to 6% by mass, and more preferably 1 to 5% by mass.
By using the chain transfer agent (P), the resin terminal portion can be freely controlled.
In other words, when a chain transfer agent is used, the polymer chain growth radicals draw hydrogen atoms from the chain transfer agent, and radical polymerization is newly initiated from the radicals generated from the chain transfer agent. An agent-induced structure can be introduced.

Examples of radical polymerization initiators include azo polymerization initiators and peroxide polymerization initiators, and azo polymerization initiators are preferred, and azo polymerization initiation having an ester group, a cyano group, or a carboxyl group is initiated. An agent is more preferable. Preferred radical polymerization initiators include azobisisobutyronitrile, azobisdimethylvaleronitrile, dimethyl 2,2′-azobis (2-methylpropionate) and the like.
The amount of radical polymerization initiator added to the solid content of the reaction solution is preferably 0.5 to 10% by mass, and more preferably 2 to 7% by mass.

  In the polymerization, preferred solvents include, for example, amide solvents such as N, N-dimethylacetamide, glycol ether solvents such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether and diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, alkyl lactate solvents such as ethyl lactate, ketone solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran and the like. And cyclic ether solvents, lactone solvents such as γ-butyrolactone, carbonate solvents such as propylene carbonate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether monoalkyl ether ester solvents such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, and nitrile solvents such as acetonitrile and butyronitrile. The solvent species can be used alone or as a mixed solvent.

The reaction temperature is preferably 80 ° C to 170 ° C, more preferably 90 ° C to 150 ° C, still more preferably 100 ° C to 130 ° C. If the reaction temperature is too high, it is not efficient such as decomposition of the monomer and conversely a decrease in reaction conversion. In addition, since the reaction temperature affects the molecular weight, it is preferably managed at the target temperature ± 3 ° C., more preferably at the target temperature ± 1 ° C.
The reaction concentration is 22% by mass or less, preferably 20% by mass or less, and more preferably 15% by mass or less.

As the polymerization method, a drop polymerization method is suitable. The dropping polymerization method is a method in which a reaction solution is divided into an initial tension side (initial tension solution) and a dropping side (drop solution), and the dropwise solution is added to the initial tension solution while being dropped. A method for this is a batch polymerization method in which a reaction solution is first charged into a reaction apparatus in a lump and a radical polymerization initiator and a chain transfer agent (P) are added. Among the dropping polymerization methods, it is desirable to add more reactive monomer species to the dropping solution side. Further, a method in which a radical polymerization initiator and a chain transfer agent (P) are also added to the dropping solution side is desirable. Of course, the monomer species, the radical polymerization initiator, and the chain transfer agent (P) may be separate solutions.
A longer dropping time is preferred. Preferably it is 3 hours or more, preferably 4 hours or more, more preferably 6 hours or more. However, if it is too long, it is not efficient in terms of work.

Next, narrowing the degree of dispersion in the purification step is a method in which the reaction solution is poured into a poor solvent or a crystallization step in which a poor solvent is added to the reaction solution, a solution in which the reaction solution is replaced with another good solvent, or crystallization. Examples thereof include a method in which a later powder, a solution obtained by dissolving a wet cake in a good solvent is added to a poor solvent, or by fractional reprecipitation in which a poor solvent is added to this solution. Examples of the good solvent include the reaction solvents described above. Examples of the poor solvent include distilled water and hydrocarbon solvents such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, hexane, heptane, and toluene.
The content of the residual monomer contained in the alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin is preferably 5% by mass or less.

  The weight average molecular weight of the alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin is preferably from 3,000 to 30,000, more preferably from 4500 to 15,000, and particularly preferably from 4,000 to 5,000 as a polystyrene-converted value by the GPC method. 10,000. Such a molecular weight range is preferable in terms of improving sensitivity and preventing scum. Moreover, 3000 or more are preferable from the point of heat resistance or dry etching tolerance.

   The dispersity (Mw / Mn) of the alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin is preferably 1.3 to 4.0, more preferably 1.5 to 3.0.

  The blending amount of the alicyclic hydrocarbon-based acid-decomposable resin in the entire composition is preferably 40 to 99.99% by mass, more preferably 50 to 99.97% by mass in the total resist solid content.

(B) Compound that generates acid upon irradiation with actinic ray or radiation The positive resist composition of the present invention contains a compound that generates acid upon irradiation with actinic ray or radiation.
Examples of such photoacid generators include photoinitiators for photocationic polymerization, photoinitiators for photoradical polymerization, photodecolorants for dyes, photochromic agents, actinic rays used in microresists, etc. Known compounds that generate an acid upon irradiation with radiation and mixtures thereof can be appropriately selected and used.

  Examples thereof include diazonium salts, phosphonium salts, sulfonium salts, iodonium salts, imide sulfonates, oxime sulfonates, diazodisulfones, disulfones, 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 decompose upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation to generate an acid, 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. An organic anion having a carbon atom is preferable.

  Preferable organic anions include organic anions represented by the following formula.

Where
Rc ₁ represents an organic group.
Examples of the organic group in 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 —, — Examples include groups linked by a linking group such as S-, -SO _3- , -SO ₂ N (Rd ₁ )-. Rd ₁ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group.
Rc ₃ , Rc ₄ and Rc ₅ represent 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 Rb 1, and a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is most preferred.
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.
The organic group of Rc ₁ and Rc _{3 to} Rc ₅ is most 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. Further, when Rc ₃ and Rc ₄ are combined to form a ring, the acidity of the acid generated by light irradiation is increased, and the sensitivity is improved.

In formula (ZI), the carbon number of the organic group as R _201, R ₂₀₂ and R ₂₀₃ is generally from 1 to 30, preferably 1 to 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 preferred (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.
Aryl group, alkyl group of R ₂₀₁ to R _203, cycloalkyl group, an alkyl group (for example, 1 to 15 carbon atoms), a cycloalkyl group (for example, 3 to 15 carbon atoms), an aryl group (for example, 6 to 14 carbon atoms) , An alkoxy group (for example, having 1 to 15 carbon atoms), a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or a phenylthio group may be substituted. Preferred substituents are straight chain, branched alkyl groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl groups having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, straight chain, branched or cyclic alkoxy groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and most 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 may be linear, it may be either branched, preferably a straight-chain or branched alkyl group (e.g., methyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an ethyl group, a propyl Group, butyl group, pentyl group). The alkyl group as R ₂₀₁ to R ₂₀₃ is a straight-chain, branched 2-oxoalkyl group is preferably an alkoxycarbonyl methyl 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 preferably a cyclic 2-oxoalkyl group.
As R ₂₀₁ to R _203, a linear, 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 (for example, having 1 to 5 carbon atoms), a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, or a nitro group.

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

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

The alkyl group as R _{1c to} R _7c may be either linear or branched, for example, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms (for example, Methyl group, ethyl group, linear or branched propyl group, linear or branched butyl group, linear or branched pentyl group).
The cycloalkyl group as R _{1c to} R _7c is preferably a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms (for example, a cyclopentyl group or 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, branched alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, or a linear, branched, or cyclic alkoxy group, and more preferably the sum of the carbon number of R _{1c to} R _5c is 2-15. Thereby, solvent solubility improves more and generation | occurrence | production of a particle is suppressed at the time of a preservation | save.

Examples of the alkyl group and cycloalkyl group as R _x and R _{y are the same} as the alkyl group and cycloalkyl group as R _{1c to} R _7c , and are a 2-oxoalkyl group and an alkoxycarbonyl group. Is preferred.
Examples of the 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 general formulas (ZII) and (ZIII),
R ₂₀₄ to R ₂₀₇ each independently represents an optionally substituted aryl group, which may have a substituent alkyl or optionally substituted cycloalkyl group.
Phenyl group and a naphthyl group are preferred as the aryl group of R ₂₀₄ to R _207, more preferably a phenyl group.
The alkyl group as R ₂₀₄ to R ₂₀₇ may be linear, it may be either branched, preferably a straight-chain or branched alkyl group (e.g., methyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an ethyl group, a 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).
The R ₂₀₄ to R ₂₀₇ are substituents which may have, for example, an alkyl group (for example, 1 to 15 carbon atoms), an aryl group (e.g. having 6 to 15 carbon atoms), an alkoxy group (for example, 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 non-nucleophilic anion as X ^{− in} formula (ZI).

  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 represent a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group.
R ₂₀₆ represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group.
R _207a and R ₂₀₈ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or an electron-withdrawing group. R _207a is preferably a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group. R ₂₀₈ is preferably an electron-withdrawing group, more preferably a cyano group or a fluoroalkyl group.
A represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenylene group, or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group.

  Of the compounds that decompose upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation to generate an acid, compounds represented by general formulas (ZI) to (ZIII) are more preferable.

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

A photo-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 photoacid generator in the composition is preferably 0.1 to 20% by mass, more preferably 0.5 to 10% by mass, and further preferably 1 to 7%, based on the total solid content of the resist composition. % By mass.

(C) A dissolution inhibiting compound having a molecular weight of 3000 or less (hereinafter also referred to as a “dissolution inhibiting compound”) that is decomposed by the action of an acid to increase the solubility in an alkaline developer.
The positive resist composition of the present invention contains a dissolution inhibiting compound having a molecular weight of 3000 or less (hereinafter also referred to as “dissolution inhibitor”) that decomposes by the action of an acid and increases the solubility in an alkaline developer. Is preferred.
The dissolution inhibitor has an acid-decomposable group, such as a cholic acid derivative containing an acid-decomposable group described in Proceeding of SPIE, 2724,355 (1996), in order not to lower the permeability below 220 nm. Alicyclic or aliphatic compounds are preferred. Examples of the acid-decomposable group and alicyclic structure are the same as those described for the resin as the component (A).
The molecular weight of the dissolution inhibitor in the present invention is 3000 or less, preferably 300 to 3000, and more preferably 500 to 2500.

  The addition amount of the dissolution inhibitor is preferably 1 to 30% by mass, more preferably 2 to 20% by mass, based on the total solid content of the positive resist composition.

  Although the specific example of a dissolution inhibitor is shown below, it is not limited to these.

(D) Basic compound The positive resist composition of the present invention preferably contains (D) a basic compound in order to reduce a change in performance over time from exposure to heating.
Preferred examples of the basic compound include compounds having structures represented by the following formulas (A) to (E).

In general formulas (A) to (E),
R ²⁰⁰ , R ²⁰¹ and R ²⁰² may be the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms. Here, R ²⁰¹ and R ²⁰² may combine with each other to form a ring.

The alkyl group may be unsubstituted or may have a substituent. Examples of the alkyl group having a substituent include an aminoalkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a hydroxyalkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, Or a C1-C20 cyanoalkyl group is preferable.
R ²⁰³ , R ²⁰⁴ , R ²⁰⁵ and R ²⁰⁶ may be the same or different and each represents an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.
The alkyl groups in these general formulas (A) to (E) are more preferably unsubstituted.

Examples of basic compounds include substituted or unsubstituted primary, secondary, and tertiary aliphatic amines, aromatic amines, heterocyclic amines, amide derivatives, imide derivatives, and cyano groups. Examples thereof include nitrogen-containing compounds. Of these, aliphatic amines, aromatic amines, and heterocyclic amines are preferable. Preferred substituents that may be present are an amino group, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an acyl group, an acyloxy group, an aryl group, an aryloxy group, a nitro group, a cyano group, an ester group, and a lactone group.
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 on the basis of solid content of a positive resist composition, Preferably it is 0.01-5 mass%.

  The use ratio of the photoacid generator and the basic compound in the composition is preferably photoacid generator / basic compound (molar ratio) = 2.5 to 300. In other words, the molar ratio is preferably 2.5 or more from the viewpoint of sensitivity and resolution, and is preferably 300 or less from the viewpoint of suppressing the reduction in resolution due to the thickening of the resist pattern over time until post-exposure heat treatment. The photoacid generator / basic compound (molar ratio) is more preferably 5.0 to 200, and still more preferably 7.0 to 150.

(E) Surfactant The positive resist composition of the present invention preferably further contains (E) a surfactant, and is a fluorine-based and / or silicon-based surfactant (fluorine-based surfactant, silicon-based interface). It is more preferable to contain any one or two or more of an activator and a surfactant having both a fluorine atom and a silicon atom.

When the positive resist composition of the present invention contains the surfactant (E), a resist having good sensitivity and resolution and less adhesion and development defects when using an exposure light source of 250 nm or less, particularly 220 nm or less. A pattern can be given.
Examples of the fluorine-based and / or silicon-based surfactant include, for example, JP-A No. 62-36663, JP-A No. 61-226746, JP-A No. 61-226745, JP-A No. 62-170950, JP 63-34540 A, JP 7-230165 A, JP 8-62834 A, JP 9-54432 A, JP 9-5988 A, JP 2002-277862 A, US Patent Nos. 5,405,720, 5,360,692, 5,529,881, 5,296,330, 5,436,098, 5,576,143, 5,294,511, 5,824,451 Surfactant can be mentioned, The following commercially available surfactant can also be used as it is.
Examples of commercially available surfactants that can be used include EFTOP EF301 and EF303 (manufactured by Shin-Akita Kasei Co., Ltd.), Florard FC430, 431 and 4430 (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.), MegaFuck F171, F173, F176 and F189. , F113, F110, F177
F120, 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.) Manufactured), GF-300, GF-150 (manufactured by Toa Gosei Chemical Co., Ltd.), Surflon S-393 (manufactured by Seimi Chemical Co., Ltd.), F-top EF121, EF122A, EF122B, RF122C, EF125M, EF135M, EF351, 352 , EF801, EF802, EF601 (manufactured by Gemco), PF636, PF656, PF6320, PF6520 (manufactured by OMNIVA), FTX-204D, 208G, 218G, 230G, 204D, 208D, 212D, 218, 222D (stock) Fluorosurfactants such as Neos) Can the mentioned silicon-based surfactant. 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. Or 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 ₃ F ₇ group and (poly (oxy) And a copolymer of (ethylene)) acrylate (or methacrylate) and (poly (oxypropylene)) acrylate (or methacrylate).

In the present invention, other surfactants other than fluorine-based and / or silicon-based surfactants can also be used. Specifically, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene cetyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers such as polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, polyoxyethylene octylphenol ether, polyoxyethylene nonylphenol ether, etc. Sorbitans such as polyoxyethylene alkyl allyl ethers, polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan trioleate, sorbitan tristearate Fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopal Te - DOO, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate, may be mentioned polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate nonionic surfactants of polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters such as such.

  These surfactants may be used alone or in several combinations.

  (E) The usage-amount of surfactant becomes like this. Preferably it is 0.01-10 mass% with respect to positive resist composition whole quantity (except a solvent), More preferably, it is 0.1-5 mass%.

(F) Organic solvent Solvents that can be used when preparing the positive resist composition by dissolving the above components include, for example, alkylene glycol monoalkyl ether carboxylate, alkylene glycol monoalkyl ether, and alkyl lactate ester. Alkoxypropionate alkyl, cyclic lactone having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, monoketone compound having 4 to 10 carbon atoms which may contain a ring, alkylene carbonate, alkyl alkoxyacetate, alkyl pyruvate and the like.

Examples of the alkylene glycol monoalkyl ether carboxylate include propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monopropyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether propionate, propylene glycol monoethyl Preferred examples include ether propionate, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, and ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate.
Preferred examples of the alkylene glycol monoalkyl ether include propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and ethylene glycol monoethyl ether.

Preferred examples of the alkyl lactate include methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, propyl lactate and butyl lactate.
Preferable examples of the alkyl alkoxypropionate include ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, methyl 3-ethoxypropionate, and ethyl 3-methoxypropionate.

  Examples of the cyclic lactone having 4 to 10 carbon atoms include β-propiolactone, β-butyrolactone, γ-butyrolactone, α-methyl-γ-butyrolactone, β-methyl-γ-butyrolactone, γ-valerolactone, γ- Caprolactone, γ-octanoic lactone, and α-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone are preferred.

Examples of the monoketone compound having 4 to 10 carbon atoms which may contain a ring include 2-butanone, 3-methylbutanone, pinacolone, 2-pentanone, 3-pentanone, 3-methyl-2-pentanone, 4- Methyl-2-pentanone, 2-methyl-3-pentanone, 4,4-dimethyl-2-pentanone, 2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanone, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-3-pentanone, 2 -Hexanone, 3-hexanone, 5-methyl-3-hexanone, 2-heptanone, 3-heptanone, 4-heptanone, 2-methyl-3-heptanone, 5-methyl-3-heptanone, 2,6-dimethyl-4 -Heptanone, 2-octanone, 3-octanone, 2-nonanone, 3-nonanone, 5-nonanone, 2-decanone, 3-decanone, 4-decanone, 5- Xen-2-one, 3-penten-2-one, cyclopentanone, 2-methylcyclopentanone, 3-methylcyclopentanone, 2,2-dimethylcyclopentanone, 2,4,4-trimethylcyclopenta Non, cyclohexanone, 3
-Methylcyclohexanone, 4-methylcyclohexanone, 4-ethylcyclohexanone, 2,2-dimethylcyclohexanone, 2,6-dimethylcyclohexanone, 2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexanone, cycloheptanone, 2-methylcycloheptanone, 3- Preferred is methylcycloheptanone.

Preferred examples of the alkylene carbonate include propylene carbonate, vinylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, and butylene carbonate.
Examples of the alkyl alkoxyacetate include 2-methoxyethyl acetate, 2-ethoxyethyl acetate, 2- (2-ethoxyethoxy) ethyl acetate, 3-methoxy-3-methylbutyl acetate, and 1-methoxy-acetate. 2-propyl is preferred.
Preferred examples of the alkyl pyruvate include methyl pyruvate, ethyl pyruvate, and propyl pyruvate.
As a solvent which can be preferably used, a solvent having a boiling point of 130 ° C. or higher under normal temperature and normal pressure can be mentioned. Specifically, cyclopentanone, γ-butyrolactone, cyclohexanone, ethyl lactate, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, ethyl pyruvate, 2-ethoxyethyl acetate, acetic acid -2- (2-ethoxyethoxy) ethyl and propylene carbonate are mentioned.
In the present invention, the above solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

In this invention, you may use the mixed solvent which mixed the solvent which contains a hydroxyl group in a structure, and the solvent which does not contain a hydroxyl group as an organic solvent.
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 preferred, and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, ethyl ethoxypropionate. 2-heptanone is most 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 weight or more of a solvent not containing a hydroxyl group is particularly preferred from the viewpoint of coating uniformity.

(G) Alkali-soluble resin The positive resist composition of the present invention may further contain an acid-decomposable group, (G) a resin that is insoluble in water and soluble in an alkaline developer, This improves the sensitivity.
In the present invention, novolak resins having a molecular weight of about 1000 to 20000 and polyhydroxystyrene derivatives having a molecular weight of about 3000 to 50000 can be used as such an alkali-soluble resin. However, they absorb light of 250 nm or less. Since it is large, it is preferable to use it by partially hydrogenating it or using it in an amount of 30% by weight or less of the total resin amount.
A resin having a carboxyl group as an alkali-soluble group can also be used. The resin having a carboxyl group preferably has a monocyclic or polycyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon group in order to improve dry etching resistance. Specifically, a methacrylic acid ester and (meth) acrylic acid copolymer having an alicyclic hydrocarbon structure that does not exhibit acid decomposability, or a (meth) acrylic acid ester having an alicyclic hydrocarbon group having a carboxyl group at the terminal And the like.

(H) Carboxylic acid onium salt The positive resist composition in the present invention may contain (H) a carboxylic acid onium salt. Examples of the carboxylic acid onium salt include a carboxylic acid sulfonium salt, a carboxylic acid iodonium salt, and a carboxylic acid ammonium salt. In particular, the (H) carboxylic acid onium salt is preferably an iodonium salt or a sulfonium salt. Furthermore, it is preferable that the carboxylate residue of the (H) carboxylic acid onium salt of the present invention does not contain an aromatic group or a carbon-carbon double bond. As a particularly preferable anion moiety, a linear, branched, monocyclic or polycyclic alkylcarboxylic acid anion having 1 to 30 carbon atoms is preferable. More preferably, an anion of a carboxylic acid in which some or all of these alkyl groups are fluorine-substituted is preferable. The alkyl chain may contain an oxygen atom. This ensures transparency with respect to light of 220 nm or less, improves sensitivity and resolution, and improves density dependency and exposure margin.

  Fluoro-substituted carboxylic acid anions include fluoroacetic acid, difluoroacetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, pentafluoropropionic acid, heptafluorobutyric acid, nonafluoropentanoic acid, perfluorododecanoic acid, perfluorotridecanoic acid, perfluorocyclohexanecarboxylic acid, 2 , 2-bistrifluoromethylpropionic acid anion and the like.

  These (H) carboxylic acid onium salts can be synthesized by reacting sulfonium hydroxide, iodonium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide and carboxylic acid with silver oxide in a suitable solvent.

  The content of (H) carboxylic acid onium salt in the composition is suitably from 0.1 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5 to 10% by weight, more preferably 1%, based on the total solid content of the composition. -7% by mass.

Other Additives In the positive resist composition of the present invention, if necessary, a dye, a plasticizer, a photosensitizer, a light absorber, and a compound that promotes solubility in a developer (for example, a molecular weight of 1000 or less) A phenol compound, an alicyclic compound having a carboxyl group, or an aliphatic compound).

Such phenolic compounds having a molecular weight of 1000 or less can be obtained by referring to, for example, the methods described in JP-A-4-1222938, JP-A-2-28531, US Pat. No. 4,916,210, European Patent 219294, etc. It can be easily synthesized by those skilled in the art.
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.

[Physical properties of resist composition]
The positive resist composition of the present invention is preferably used at a film thickness of 30 to 250 nm, more preferably at a film thickness of 30 to 200 nm, from the viewpoint of improving resolution. Such a film thickness can be obtained by setting the solid content concentration in the positive resist composition to an appropriate range to give an appropriate viscosity and improving the coating property and film forming property.
The total solid concentration in the positive resist composition is generally 1 to 10% by mass, more preferably 1 to 8% by mass, and still more preferably 1.0 to 7.0% by mass.

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

For example, a positive resist 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 a coater, and dried to form a photosensitive film. Form.
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.

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. As an alkaline developer of the resist composition, inorganic hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium metasilicate, and aqueous ammonia, primary amines such as ethylamine and n-propylamine, Secondary amines such as diethylamine and di-n-butylamine, tertiary amines such as triethylamine and methyldiethylamine, alcohol amines such as dimethylethanolamine and triethanolamine, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, tetraethylammonium hydroxide and the like Alkaline aqueous solutions such as quaternary ammonium salts, cyclic amines such as pyrrole and pihelidine can be used.
Furthermore, alcohols and surfactants can be added in appropriate amounts to the alkaline developer.
The alkali concentration of the alkali developer is usually from 0.1 to 20% by mass.
The pH of the alkali developer is usually from 10.0 to 15.0.
Furthermore, alcohols and surfactants can be added in appropriate amounts to the alkaline aqueous solution.
As the rinsing liquid, pure water can be used, and an appropriate amount of a surfactant can be added.
Further, after the development process or the rinsing process, a process of removing the developer or the rinsing liquid adhering to the pattern with a supercritical fluid can be performed.

  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. Further, an overcoat layer may be further provided on the resist film so that the immersion medium and the resist film do not come into direct contact with each other during the immersion exposure. Thereby, the elution of the composition from the photosensitive film to the immersion medium is suppressed, and development defects are reduced.

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. In the case of 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-described 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 layer 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 substance or impurities whose refractive index is significantly different from that of water are mixed with respect to 193 nm light, the optical image projected on the resist is distorted. Therefore, distilled water is preferable as the water to be used. 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.

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 topcoat is preferably a polymer that does not contain an aromatic, and specifically, a hydrocarbon polymer, an acrylate polymer, a polymethacrylic acid, a polyacrylic acid, a polyvinyl ether, a silicon-containing polymer, And fluorine-containing polymers. 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 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 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.
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.

  It is preferred that the top coat is not mixed with the resist and further not mixed with the immersion liquid. From this viewpoint, when the immersion liquid is water, the topcoat solvent is preferably a resist solvent hardly soluble and water-insoluble medium. Furthermore, when the immersion liquid is an organic solvent, the topcoat may be water-soluble or water-insoluble.

  When the resist composition of the present invention is used as a resist film, the receding contact angle of water with respect to the resist film is preferably 65 ° or more. Here, the receding contact angle is at normal temperature and pressure. The receding contact angle is the receding contact angle when the droplet starts to drop when the resist film is tilted. In general, the receding contact angle is substantially correlated with the falling angle, and a film having a higher receding contact angle and a smaller falling angle indicates better water repelling.

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

Synthesis Example 1 (Synthesis of resin (A-1), dropping polymerization method)
2-adamantyl-2-propyl methacrylate, dihydroxyadaman methacrylate, and norbornane lactone methacrylate were charged at a ratio (molar ratio) of 40/20/40, and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate / propylene glycol monomethyl ether = 70/30 (mass ratio). It melt | dissolved and 450 g of solutions with a solid content concentration of 22 mass% were prepared. To this solution, 1 mol of a radical polymerization initiator (V-601) manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd. and 3 mol% of the following chain transfer agent (T-1) were added, and this was heated to 80 ° C. over 6 hours in a nitrogen atmosphere. The solution was added dropwise to 50 g of a mixed solution of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate / propylene glycol monomethyl ether = 70/30 (mass ratio). The reaction liquid was stirred for 2 hours after completion | finish of dripping. After completion of the reaction, the reaction solution was cooled to room temperature, crystallized in 5 L of a mixed solvent of hexane / ethyl acetate = 9/1 (mass ratio), and the precipitated white powder was collected by filtration, and the target resin (A- 1) was recovered.
^The polymer composition ratio (molar ratio) determined from ¹³ CNMR was 39/20/41. The introduction of the chain transfer agent (S atom) into the polymer terminal was confirmed by elemental analysis. Moreover, the weight average molecular weight of standard polystyrene conversion calculated | required by GPC measurement was 9200, and dispersion degree was 1.9.

Synthesis Example 2 (Synthesis of Resin (A-2), Batch Polymerization Method)
2-methyl-2-adamantyl methacrylate, hydroxyadaman methacrylate, and norbornane lactone methacrylate were charged at a ratio (molar ratio) of 40/20/40 and dissolved in cyclohexanone to prepare 450 g of a solution having a solid content of 20% by mass. Transfer agent (T-1) 2 mol% was added. 1 mol of radical polymerization initiator (V-601) was added to this solution while stirring at 80 ° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere, and the mixture was stirred for 6 hours. After completion of the reaction, the reaction solution was cooled to room temperature, crystallized in 5 L of a mixed solvent of hexane / ethyl acetate = 9/1 (mass ratio), and the precipitated white powder was collected by filtration, and the target resin (A- 2) was recovered.
^The polymer composition ratio (molar ratio) determined from ¹³ CNMR was 40/22/38. The introduction of the chain transfer agent (S atom) into the polymer terminal was confirmed by elemental analysis. Moreover, the weight average molecular weight of standard polystyrene conversion calculated | required by GPC measurement was 8400, and dispersion degree was 1.8.

Synthesis Example 3 (Synthesis of comparative resin (A-15), dropping polymerization method, chain transfer agent (P) not used)
2-adamantyl-2-propyl methacrylate, dihydroxyadaman methacrylate, and norbornane lactone methacrylate were charged at a ratio (molar ratio) of 40/20/40, and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate / propylene glycol monomethyl ether = 70/30 (mass ratio). It melt | dissolved and 450 g of solutions with a solid content concentration of 22 mass% were prepared. To this solution was added 8 mol% of a radical polymerization initiator (V-601) manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., and this was heated to 80 ° C. over 6 hours in a nitrogen atmosphere, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate / propylene glycol monomethyl ether = 70/30 (mass ratio) was added dropwise to 50 g of the mixed solution. After completion of dropping, the reaction solution was stirred for 2 hours to obtain a reaction solution (1). After completion of the reaction, the reaction solution (1) is cooled to room temperature, crystallized in 5 L of a mixed solvent of hexane / ethyl acetate = 90/10 (mass ratio), and the precipitated white powder is collected by filtration to obtain the target resin. (A-15) was recovered.
^The polymer composition ratio determined from ¹³ CNMR and acid value titration was 39/20/41. Moreover, the weight average molecular weight of standard polystyrene conversion calculated | required by GPC measurement was 9800, and dispersion degree was 2.3.

  Resins (A-1) to (A-16) according to Synthesis Example 1 (Drip Polymerization Method), Synthesis Example 2 (Batch Polymerization Method), Synthesis Example 3 (Drip Polymerization Method, No Chain Transfer Agent (P) Used) Was synthesized. The structures, polymerization conditions, and polymer physical properties of the resins (A-1) to (A-16) are shown below.

Abbreviations in the table are as follows.
〔solvent〕
S1: Propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate S2: Propylene glycol monomethyl ether S3: Cyclohexanone S4: Tetrahydrofuran

  [Chain transfer agent]

  [Polymer chain end]

Hereinafter, Examples 3 , 4 , 11 , 12, and 14 shall be read as Reference Examples 3 , 4, 11 , 12, and 14 , respectively.
Examples 1-14 and Comparative Examples 1-2
<Resist preparation>
The components shown in Table 2 below were dissolved in a solvent, and a solution having a solid content of 7% by mass was prepared for each, and this was filtered through a 0.1 μm polyethylene filter to prepare a positive resist solution. The prepared positive resist composition was evaluated by the following method, and the results are shown in Table 2.
In addition, about each component in Table 2, the ratio at the time of using multiple is a mass ratio.

[Image performance test]
(Exposure condition (1))
An organic antireflection film ARC29A (Nissan Chemical Co., Ltd.) was applied on a silicon wafer, and baked at 205 ° C. for 60 seconds to form a 78 nm antireflection film. The positive resist composition prepared thereon was applied and baked at 130 ° C. for 60 seconds to form a 250 nm resist film. The obtained wafer was subjected to pattern exposure using an ArF excimer laser scanner (PAS5500 / 1100, NA0.75, σo / σi = 0.85 / 0.55, manufactured by ASML). Thereafter, the film was heated at 120 ° C. for 90 seconds, developed with an aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution (2.38 mass%) for 30 seconds, rinsed with pure water, and spin-dried to obtain a resist pattern.

(Exposure condition (2))
This condition is to form a resist pattern by an immersion exposure method using pure water.
An organic antireflection film ARC29A (Nissan Chemical Co., Ltd.) was applied on a silicon wafer, and baked at 205 ° C. for 60 seconds to form a 78 nm antireflection film. The positive resist composition prepared thereon was applied and baked at 120 ° C. for 90 seconds to form a 250 nm resist film. The obtained wafer was subjected to pattern exposure using an ArF excimer laser immersion scanner (NA 0.75). As the immersion liquid, ultrapure water having impurities of 5 ppb or less was used. Thereafter, heating was performed at 120 ° C. for 60 seconds, followed by development with an aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution (2.38 mass%) for 30 seconds, rinsing with pure water, and spin drying to obtain a resist pattern.

[Profile]
The profile of the obtained pattern was observed and evaluated with a scanning electron microscope (S-9260, manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.).

[Line edge roughness]
For the range of 5 μm edge in the longitudinal direction of the line pattern, measure the distance from the reference line where the edge should be at 50 points with a length measuring SEM (S-8840, manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.), calculate the standard deviation, and calculate 3σ did. A smaller value indicates better performance.

  The symbols in Table 2 are as follows.

N-1: N, N-dibutylaniline N-2: N, N-dihexylaniline N-3: 2,6-diisopropylaniline N-4: tri-n-octylamine N-5: N, N-dihydroxyethyl Aniline N-6: 2,4,5-triphenylimidazole

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.)
W-5: PF656 (manufactured by OMNOVA, fluorine-based)
W-6: PF6320 (manufactured by OMNOVA, fluorine-based)

SL-1: Cyclohexanone SL-2: Propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate SL-3: Ethyl lactate SL-4: Propylene glycol monomethyl ether SL-5: γ-butyrolactone SL-6: Propylene carbonate

  From Table 2, it is clear that the positive resist composition of the present invention is excellent in pattern profile and line edge roughness in normal exposure and immersion exposure.

Claims (5)

(A) A resin having a monocyclic or polycyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure, decomposed by the action of an acid, and increased in solubility in an alkaline developer, and (B) an acid generated upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation. A positive resist composition containing a compound,
The resin of component (A) is a resin polymerized using a chain transfer agent having a polar group, and has a repeating unit having a lactone structure represented by the following general formula (LC1-4 ) or ( LC1-5 ) A positive transfer resin characterized in that the chain transfer agent having a polar group is a chain transfer agent having a cyano group or a carboxylic acid group, or a chain transfer agent represented by the following general formula (1) Resist composition.

Rb ₂ represents a substituent. n ₂ represents an integer of 0-4. When n ₂ 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.
(X) _n -Y-SH (1)
In general formula (1),
X represents a hydroxyl group.
Y represents a (n + 1) -valent linking group.
n represents an integer of 2 to 5.   2. The positive resist composition according to claim 1, wherein the chain transfer agent having a polar group is a chain transfer agent having a cyano group or a carboxylic acid group.   2. The positive resist composition according to claim 1, wherein the chain transfer agent having a polar group is a chain transfer agent represented by the general formula (1).   The positive resist composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the content of the residual monomer contained in the resin of component (A) is 5% by mass or less.   A pattern forming method comprising: forming a resist film from the positive resist composition according to claim 1; and exposing and developing the resist film.