Design and synthesis of novel directed self-assembly block copolymers for sub-10 nm lithography application

A series of novel block copolymers, PS-b-PPDMA, were synthesized via anionic polymerization. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) spectra and Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images indicated lamella or hexagonal structures with a sub-10 nm half-pitch formed under mild thermal annealing condition. The assembly condition is as quick as 5 min or less at 100 °C thermal annealing. The smallest lamellar D spacing is 11.8 nm. These block copolymers show the potential as DSA material with high intrinsic resolution for sub-10 nm and beyond nodes.