Specific Process Knowledge/Lithography/Resist

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User resist bottles in the cleanroom

We recommend all e-beam users, and certain UV users, to have their own small bottle of resist inside the cleanroom.


Procedure for bringing new user resist bottles into the cleanroom:

  1. Outside the cleanroom: Find a blue-cap glass bottle in the storage cabinet, next to office 055, in building 346
  2. Gowning: Clean the bottle in gowning
    • Clean it thoroughly on the outside with water or alcohol
  3. Fumehood: Bring the bottle to a fumehood inside the cleanroom
    • Clean the bottle and the lid thoroughly on the inside with a relevant solvent, i.e for CSAR use anisole and for 5214 use acteone
      If you are in doubt about which solvent your resist contains, consult the MSDS of the resist on Kemibrug - requires login
    • If you need to dilute the resist, find a measurement beaker and clean it thoroughly with the same solvent as you used for cleaning your own bottle. For CSAR, ZEP, mr EBL, and anisole-based PMMA, you can use the measurement beaker in the box inside the fumehood in E-4
  4. Let the bottle dry in the fumehood
  5. Take the supply resist bottle from the chemical cabinet, and place it in the fumehood next to your own cleaned bottle
  6. Carefully unscrew the lid of the resist bottle
  7. Only if necessary: Wipe the thread of the resist bottle before you pour resist into your own bottle. You must wipe in such a way, that you do not create particles, which fall into the resist bottle
  8. After pouring is complete you must clean all bottles on the outside with acetone or IPA
  9. Clean the measurement beaker (if used) with appropriate solvent


Remember to label your resist bottle correctly - bottles without correct labels will be removed from the cleanroom:

  1. Find the label which matches your resist and write the following on it:
    • Your name (initials)
    • Your group name
    • Resist expiration date


Use pipettes for resist transfer:

When spin coating thin resist, you should always use a pipette, to transfer resist from your bottle to the substrate. If you pour the resist directly from your bottle, you will leave resist in the bottle threading, which will dry and create particles in the resist. The disposable pipettes need to be thoroughly cleaned with a N2 gun before use, for ~20 seconds. After some practice, you can obtain particle-free 4" wafers, if the bottle and pipette (and spin coater) are properly cleaned.


Bottle storage and handling:

Keep your resist bottles in up-right position, and do not tilt or shake them too much, as this can spread particles from the bottle sidewall, and cap, into the resist.

UV Resist

Standard UV sensitive resists available at DTU Nanolab:


UV resist comparison table

Comparison of specifications and feature space of UV photoresists.

Resist AZ 5214E AZ MiR 701 AZ nLOF 2020 AZ 4562 SU-8 TI Spray
Resist tone
  • Positive
  • Negative (image reversal)
Positive Negative Positive Negative
  • Positive
  • Negative (image reversal)
Thickness range 1.5 - 4.2 µm 1.5 - 4 µm 1.5 - 4 µm 5 - 10 µm 1 - 200 µm 0.5 - 5 µm
Coating tool

Automatic coaters:

  • Spin coater: Gamma UV lithography
  • Spin coater: Gamma ebeam & UV

Manual coaters:

  • Spin coater: Labspin 2
  • Spin coater: Labspin 3
  • Spin coater: RCD8
  • Spray coater

Automatic coaters:

  • Spin coater: Gamma UV lithography
  • Spin coater: Gamma ebeam & UV

Manual coaters:

  • Spin coater: Labspin 2
  • Spin coater: Labspin 3
  • Spin coater: RCD8
  • Spray coater

Automatic coaters:

  • Spin coater: Gamma UV lithography

Manual coaters:

  • Spin coater: Labspin 2
  • Spin coater: Labspin 3
  • Spin coater: RCD8
  • Spray coater

Automatic coaters:

  • Spin coater: Gamma ebeam & UV

Manual coaters:

  • Spin coater: Labspin 2
  • Spin coater: Labspin 3
  • Spin coater: RCD8

Manual coaters:

  • Spin coater: RCD8

or

  • Spin coater: Labspin 2
  • Spin coater: Labspin 3

Spray coater

Spectral sensitivity 310 - 420 nm 310 - 445 nm 310 - 380 nm 310 - 445 nm 300 - 375 nm 310 - 440 nm
Exposure tool Mask aligner or Maskless aligner
Developer
  • AZ 351B
  • AZ 726 MIF
  • AZ 351B
  • AZ 726 MIF
AZ 726 MIF AZ 726 MIF mr-DEV 600 (PGMEA) AZ 726 MIF
Rinse DIW DIW DIW DIW IPA DIW
Remover
  • Acetone
  • Remover 1165
  • Acetone
  • Remover 1165
  • Acetone
  • Remover 1165

Remover 1165

Cured SU-8 is practically insoluble

Plasma ashing can remove crosslinked SU-8

  • Acetone
  • Remover 1165
Comments
  • Can be used for both positive and image reversed (negative) processes with resist thickness between 1 and 4 µm.
  • Good adhesion for wet etch.

High selectivity for dry etch

Negative sidewalls for lift-off

For processes with resist thickness between 6 µm and 25 µm

  • High aspect ratio
  • Resist thickness 1 µm to several 100 µm
  • Available in cleanroom: 2005, 2035, and 2075

Spray coater specific resist

Process flow examples

Mask aligner:
Process flow AZ 5214E positive‎ MA6
Process flow AZ 5214E image reversal MA6


Maskless aligner:
Process flow AZ 5214E positive‎ MLA
Process flow AZ 5214E image reversal MLA

Mask aligner:
Process flow AZ MiR 701‎ MA6


Maskless aligner:
Process flow AZ MiR 701‎ MLA

Mask aligner:
Process flow AZ nLOF 2020‎ MA6‎


Maskless aligner:
Process flow AZ nLOF 2020‎ MLA‎

Mask aligner:
Process flow AZ 4562 MA6‎


Maskless aligner:
Process flow AZ 4562 MLA

Mask aligner:
Process flow SU-8 MA6‎


Maskless aligner:
Process flow SU-8 MLA‎


NB! Most of the process knowledge on SU-8 is based in research groups

TI spray resist is an image reversal resist, similar to AZ 5214E. The process flow will be similar to the process flows for 5214, except for the coating step. The exposure dose and development will depend on the specific process.


Other process flows:

Chip on carrier: A procedure for UV lithography on a chip using automatic coater and developer.

Exposure dose

Spectral sensitivity of AZ resists represented as optical absorption coefficient.

During exposure of the resist, the photoinitiator, or photo-active component, reacts with the exposure light, and starts the reaction which makes the resist develop in the developer.

In a positive resist, it makes the resist become soluble in the developer. In a negative resist, usually assisted by thermal energy in the post-exposure bake (PEB), it makes the resist insoluble in the developer. The amount of light required to fully develop the resist in the development process, is the exposure dose.

The optimal exposure dose is a function of many parameters, including the type of resist, the resist thickness, and the sensitivity of the resist.

Resist sensitivity
The resist sensitivity is a measure of how efficiently it reacts to the exposure light. Spectral sensitivity is the sensitivity of the resist as a function of wavelength. It is usually given simply as the range from the wavelength below which absorption in the resist material makes lithography impractical to the wavelength at which the photoinitiator is no longer efficiently activated.

Within the sensitivity range, the optical absorption is commonly used as a measure of sensitivity. A high absorption coefficient signifies a high sensitivity, as the light is absorbed by the photoinitiator. Because of spectral sensitivity, the optimal dose of a given resist type and thickness is also a function of the spectral distribution of the exposure light, i.e. the equipment used for the exposure. Using a combination of experience, calculation and assumptions, it may be possible to estimate the dose for an exposure equipment, if the exposure dose is already known on another equipment.

Due to reflection and refraction at the interface between the resist and the substrate, the optimal dose may also be a function of the type of substrate used. Unless otherwise stated, the exposure doses given below are for standard silicon wafers.

Apart from the already mentioned factors, the optimal dose also depends on the developer chemistry and the parameters used in the development process. Finally, the requirements to the lithographic process in terms of resolution, bias (line broadening), etch selectivity, side wall angle, etc. may narrow down, or widen, the process window. The exposure doses given in the sections below should be used as a starting point for individual fabrication process development.

Due to the process of bleaching, where the absorption of the resist changes during exposure, the exposure dose is unfortunately not always constant at different intensities of the exposure light. The exposure time is thus not always a linear function of the exposure intensity.

Calculate exposure time

In the maskless aligners, the dose is set directly as a process parameter in the job. In mask aligners, on the other hand, the parameter that is set is the exposure time, i.e. how long the shutter is open during the exposure.

The exposure dose, D [J/m2], in terms if exposure light intensity I [W/m2] and exposure time t [s], is given by:

Since the intensity is specific to the spectral sensitivity of the sensor used to measure the exposure light, and the exposure time is specific to the spectral distribution of the exposure light (cf. spectral sensitivity), this dose is specific to the combination of exposure source and optical sensor.

Given an exposure dose, the exposure time, t, is calculated as:

It is important to keep in mind that this exposure time is valid only for a specific combination of exposure source and optical sensor, as well as for a specific development process.

Exposure dose for mask aligners

The exposure doses listed below are for generic good exposure results, and can be a compromise between getting good lines, as well as good dots, in both clear field and dark field exposures. The optimal dose for any given specific project, could be different from the listed values.

All doses are for standard silicon wafers, unless otherwise stated. Development is done using 2.38% TMAH (AZ 726 MIF).


Aligner: MA6-1

The Aligner: MA6-1 has an i-line notch filter installed. This results in an exposure light peak around 365 nm with a FWHM of 7 nm.

Date Thickness Dose Development Comments
AZ 5214E
Data from discontinued German version
Long ago 1.5 µm 72 mJ/cm2 Single puddle, 60 s Positive process
Long ago 2.2 µm 80 mJ/cm2
Long ago 4.2 µm 160 mJ/cm2
AZ 4562
Data from discontinued German version
Long ago 10 µm 510 mJ/cm2 Multiple puddle, 4 x 60 s Multiple exposure with 10-15 s pauses is recommended.
AZ MiR 701
Data from discontinued PFOA containing version
Long ago 1 µm 180 mJ/cm2 Single puddle, 60 s PEB: 60 s at 110°C
Long ago 2 µm 200 mJ/cm2 Single puddle, 60 s
Long ago 4 µm 400 mJ/cm2 Single puddle, 60 s PEB: 90 s at 110°C
AZ nLOF 2020 Long ago 2 µm 110 mJ/cm2 Single puddle, 60 s PEB: 60 s at 110°C

Side wall angle ~15°

For smaller angle (~5°), develop 30 seconds instead

Aligner: MA6-2

The Aligner: MA6-2 has an i-line notch filter installed. This results in an exposure light peak around 365 nm with a FWHM of 7 nm.

New resists
As of 2023-03-21 we no longer have any of the old versions of the resists: AZ 5214E, AZ 4562, AZ MiR 701. The following table contains only information about the new resist versions.

Date Thickness Dose Development Comments
AZ MiR 701 2023-09-26
taran
1.5 µm 150 mJ/cm2

(13.5s @ 11mW/cm2)

Single puddle, 60 s PEB: 60 s @ 110°C
AZ nLOF 2020 2023-09-26
taran
2 µm 121 mJ/cm2

(11 s @ 11 mW/cm2)

Single puddle, 60 s PEB: 60 s @ 110°C
60 s development for lift-off
AZ 5214E 2023-01-11
jehem
1.5 µm 70 mJ/cm2 Single puddle, 60 s
AZ 5214E
Image Reversal
2023-01-11
jehem
2.2 µm 22 mJ/cm2 Single puddle, 60 s

Reversal bake: 60 s at 110°C
Flood exposure: 500 mJ/cm2

AZ 4562
2021-12-08
jehem
10 µm 550 mJ/cm2 Multiple puddles, 5 x 60 s

Priming: HMDS
Rehydration after SB: 1 hour (may not be necessary)
Exposure: Multiple exposures with pauses, 5 x (10 s exposure + 10 s pause)
Degassing after exposure: 1 hour (may not be necessary)


Exposure dose for maskless aligners

The exposure doses listed below are for generic good exposure results, and can be a compromise between getting good lines, as well as good dots, in both clear field and dark field exposures. The optimal dose and achievable resolution for any given specific project, could be different from the listed values.

All doses are for standard silicon wafers, unless otherwise stated. Development is done using 2.38% TMAH (AZ 726 MIF).


Aligner: Maskless 01

The Aligner: Maskless 01 has a 365 nm LED light source with a FWHM of 8 nm.

New resists
As of 2023-03-21 we no longer have any of the old versions of the resists: AZ 5214E, AZ 4562, AZ MiR 701. The following table contains only information about the new resist versions.

Date Thickness Exposure mode Dose Defoc Resolution Comments
AZ MiR 701 2023-07-06
jehem
1.5 µm Fast 275 mJ/cm2 1 1 µm
Tested using dehydration reducing measures
PEB: 60s@110°C
Dev: SP60s
AZ nLOF 2020 2023-07-06
jehem
2.0 µm Fast 180 mJ/cm2 0 1.5 µm PEB: 60s@110°C
Dev: SP60s
AZ 5214E 2023-07-06
jehem
1.5 µm Fast 110 mJ/cm2 0 1.75 µm Dev: SP60s
AZ 5214E
image reversal
2023-04-05
jehem
2.2 µm Fast possibly obsolete data
20 mJ/cm2
possibly obsolete data
-2
2.0 µm Reversal bake: 60s@110°C,
Flood exposure: 500mJ/cm2
Dev: SP60s
AZ 4562 2023-04-05
jehem
10 µm Fast possibly obsolete data
1050 mJ/cm2
possibly obsolete data
-1
≤5 µm

Priming: HMDS
Rehydration after SB: 1 hour (may not be necessary)
Exposure: Single exposure
Degassing after exposure: 1 hour (may not be necessary)
Development: Multiple puddles, 5 x 60 s


Dehydration reducing measures used for testing AZ MiR 701:
The CDA used for the pneumatic autofocus will dehydrate the resist. To reduce this effect, the writehead is parked far away from the write area while setting up the job for at least a few minutes, before starting the exposure.


Aligner: Maskless 02

The Aligner: Maskless 02 has a 375 nm laser light source with a FWHM of ~1 nm.

New resists
As of 2023-03-21 we no longer have any of the old versions of the resists: AZ 5214E, AZ 4562, AZ MiR 701. The following table contains only information about the new resist versions.

New writehead
As of 2023-03-21 the MLA2 has a new writehead installed, converting it from a write mode 1 tool to a write mode 2 tool. This makes all previous dose/defocus settings obsolete. The following table contains only the dose/defocus values for the new writehead.

Date Thickness Laser Autofocus Exposure mode Dose Defoc Resolution Comments
AZ MiR 701 2023-08-21
taran
1.5 µm 375 Optical Quality 325 mJ/cm2 1 1 µm
Tested using dehydration reducing measures
(design elongated +40mm in y).

PEB: 60s @ 110°C
Dev: SP60s

Pneumatic ?
AZ nLOF 2020 2023-08-21
taran
2.0 µm 375 Optical Quality 450 mJ/cm2 0 1.5 µm

PEB: 60s @ 110°C
Dev: SP60s

Pneumatic ?
AZ 5214E 2024-08-16
taran
1.5 µm 375 Optical Quality 95 mJ/cm2 2 1.5 µm Dev: SP60s
Pneumatic -2
AZ 5214E
image reversal
2023-04-17
jehem
2.2 µm 375 Optical Quality 35 mJ/cm2 0 1.5 µm

Reversal bake: 60s @ 110°C
Flood exposure: 500 mJ/cm2
Dev: SP60s

Pneumatic ?
AZ 4562 2023-04-19
jehem
10 µm 375 Optical Quality 1150 mJ/cm2 0 ≤5 µm

Priming: HMDS
Rehydration after softbake: 1 hour (may not be necessary)
Exposure: Single exposure
Degassing after exposure: 1 hour (may not be necessary)
Development: Multiple puddles, 5 x 60 s

Pneumatic ?


Dehydration reducing measures used for testing AZ MiR 701:
The CDA used for the pneumatic autofocus will dehydrate the resist. To reduce this effect, the writehead is parked far away from the write area while setting up the job for at least a few minutes, before starting the exposure.


Aligner: Maskless 03

The Aligner: Maskless 03 has a 405 nm laser light source with a FWHM of ~1 nm.

New resists
As of 2023-03-21 we no longer have any of the old versions of the resists: AZ 5214E, AZ 4562, AZ MiR 701. The following table contains only information about the new resist versions.

Date Thickness Laser Autofocus Exposure mode Dose Defoc Resolution Comments
AZ MiR 701 2023-06-30
jehem
1.5 µm 405 Pneumatic Quality 175 mJ/cm2 0 1 µm
Tested using dehydration reducing measures
PEB: 60s@110°C
Dev: SP60s
AZ 5214E 2023-06-30
jehem
1.5 µm 405 Pneumatic Quality 75 mJ/cm2 0 1 µm Dev: SP60s
AZ 5214E
Image reversal
2023-06-30
jehem
2.2 µm 405 Pneumatic Quality 50 mJ/cm2 0 1 µm

Reversal bake: 60s@110°C
Flood exposure: 500mJ/cm2
Dev: SP60s

AZ nLOF 2020 2023-06-30
jehem
2.0 µm 405 Pneumatic Quality 9000 mJ/cm2 2 1 µm

PEB: 60s @ 100°C
Dev: SP60s
Due to the high dose required on this tool, it is recommended to process nLOF on tools with a more appropriate exposure light source

AZ 4562 2023-06-30
jehem
10 µm 405 Pneumatic Quality 550 mJ/cm2 3 ≤5 µm

Priming: HMDS
Rehydration after SB: 1 hour (may not be necessary)
Exposure: Single exposure
Degassing after exposure: 1 hour (may not be necessary)
Development: Multiple puddles, 5 x 60 s


Dehydration reducing measures used for testing AZ MiR 701:
The CDA used for the pneumatic autofocus will dehydrate the resist. To reduce this effect, the writehead is parked far away from the write area while setting up the job for at least a few minutes, before starting the exposure.


Exposure dose when using AZ 351B developer (NaOH)

The exposure doses listed below are for generic good exposure results, and can be a compromise between getting good lines, as well as good dots, in both clear field and dark field exposures. The optimal dose for any given specific project, could be different from the listed values.

All doses are for standard silicon wafers, unless otherwise stated. Development is done using AZ 351B developer (NaOH) diluted 1:5.


KS Aligner (351B)

The KS Aligner has an i-line notch filter installed. This results in an exposure light peak around 365 nm with a FWHM of 7 nm.

Date Thickness Dose Development] Comments
AZ 5214E
Data from discontinued German version
Long ago 1.5 µm 70mJ/cm2 60 s Positive process
Long ago 2.2 µm 72 mJ/cm2 70 s
Long ago 4.2 µm 160 mJ/cm2 180 s
AZ 5214E
Data from discontinued German version
Long ago 1.5 µm 30 mJ/cm2 60 s Image reversal process.

Reversal bake: 100s at 110°C.
Flood exposure after reversal bake: 210 mJ/cm2

Long ago 2.2 µm 35 mJ/cm2 70 s
AZ 4562
Data from discontinued German version
Long ago 10 µm 320 mJ/cm2 5 minutes Multiple exposure with 10-15 s pauses is recommended.

DUV Resist

DUV resist overview

The spinning process will be performed by the customer together with the Photolith group of Nanolab. In case you would like to do DUV lithography please contact Lithography team, who will consult you and run your wafers together with you.


Bottom Anti Reflection Coating (BARC):


Positive DUV resist for spin coating in 600-300nm thickness range:


Positive DUV resist for spin coating in 1600-800nm thickness range:


Negative DUV resist for spin coating in 1400-800nm or diluted with EC Solvent in 1:1 in 400-200nm thickness range:

E-beam Resist

Standard E-beam resists and process guidelines

DTU Nanolab offers a limited number of standard EBL resist for our users. Our standard resist and process guidelines are summarized below. CSAR (AR-P 6200.09) is installed on Spin coater Gamma E-beam & UV for spin coating of 2", 4" and 6" substrates. Other substrate sizes or resist have to be used in the Labspin 2/3 coating systems. The standard resist bottles are stored in the chemical cupboard in E-4.


Resist Polarity Manufacturer Comments Technical reports Spin Coater Thinner Developer Rinse Remover Process flows (in docx-format)
CSAR AR-P 6200 Positive AllResist Standard positive resist, very similar to ZEP520. AR-P 6200 info Gamma E-beam & UV or Labspin 2/3 Anisole
  • AR-600-546
  • AR-600-548
  • N50
  • MIBK:IPA
IPA
  • AR-600-71
  • Remover 1165
Process Flow CSAR.docx‎
Process Flow CSAR with ESPACER
Process Flow CSAR with Al
Process Flow LOR5A with CSAR
Medusa AR-N 8200 Negative AllResist Both e-beam and DUV sensitive resist. AR-N 8200 info Labspin 2/3 AR 600-07 AR 300-47:DIW (1:1) DIW BOE
AR-N 7500 Negative AllResist Both e-beam, DUV and UV-sensitive resist. AR-N 7500 info Labspin 2/3 PGMEA
  • AR 300-47:DIW (4:1)
  • MIF726:DIW (8:5)
DIW
  • AR 300-73
  • O2 plasma


Non-Standard E-beam resists

It is possible to obtain permission to user other resists at DTU Nanolab, users must however provide these resists and possibly developers themselves. A non-exhaustive list of user supplied EBL resist used at DTU Nanolab and some process guidelines can be found in the table below.


Resist Polarity Manufacturer Comments Technical reports Spin Coater Thinner Developer Rinse Remover Process flows (in docx-format)
ZEP520A Positive resist, contact Lithography if you plan to use this resist ZEON Positive resist ZEP520A.pdf, ZEP520A spin curves on SSE Spinner See table here Anisole ZED-N50/Hexyl Acetate,n-amyl acetate, oxylene. JJAP-51-06FC05.pdf‎, JVB001037.pdf‎ IPA acetone/1165 Process_Flow_ZEP.docx


Copolymer AR-P 617 Positive AllResist Approved, not tested yet. Used for trilayer (PE-free) resist-stack or double-layer lift-off resist stack. Please contact Lithography for information. AR_P617.pdf‎ See table here PGME AR 600-55, MIBK:IPA acetone/1165 Trilayer stack: Process_Flow_Trilayer_Ebeam_Resist.docx‎
mr EBL 6000.1 Negative MicroResist Standard negative resist mrEBL6000 processing Guidelines.pdf‎ See table here Anisole mr DEV IPA mr REM Process_Flow_mrEBL6000.docx‎
HSQ (XR-1541) Negative DOW Corning Approved. Standard negative resist HSQ Dow Corning, MSDS HSQ See table here TMAH, AZ400K:H2O H2O process flow HSQ

High resolution patterning with HSQ

AR-N 7520 Negative AllResist Both e-beam, DUV and UV-sensitive resist. Currently being tested, contact Peixiong Shi for information. AR-N7500-7520.pdf‎ See table here PGMEA AR 300-47, TMAH H2O
PMMA Positive AllResist We have various types of PMMA in the cleanroom. Please contact Lithography for information. See table here Anisole MIBK:IPA (1:3), IPA:H2O IPA acetone/1165/Pirahna


ZEP7000 Positive ZEON Not approved. Low dose to clear, can be used for trilayer (PEC-free) resist-stack. Please contact Lithography for information. ZEP7000.pdf See table here Anisole ZED-500/Hexyl Acetate,n-amyl acetate, oxylene. IPA acetone/1165 Trilayer stack: Process_Flow_Trilayer_Ebeam_Resist.docx‎

Imprint Resist

Imprint Resist Overview

Here is a table with 2 different imprint resists we have recently used in the cleanroom, with links to a purchase manufactor, technical reports about resist properties and a current process flow, tested in our cleanroom.

Resist Manufacturer Comments Technical reports Thinner Spinner Rinse Process flows (in docx-format)
Topas micro resist technology Users may purchase own resist. Topas.pdf LabSpin03 or LabSpin03 IPA
mr-I 7030R micro resist technology We purchase only mr-I 7030R, for use it please contact Lithography. mr-I 7030R.pdf mr-T 1050 LabSpin03 or LabSpin03 Acetone Preparation substrate with mr-I 7030R: Preparation substrate‎ with imprint layer