Thermodynamic and Kinetic Tuning of Block Copolymer Based on Random Copolymerization for High‐Quality Sub‐6 nm Pattern Formation |
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| Authors: | Yoon Hyung Hur Seung Won Song Jong Min Kim Woon Ik Park Kwang Ho Kim YongJoo Kim Yeon Sik Jung |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea;2. Global Frontier R&D Center for Hybrid Interface Materials (HIM), Busan, Republic of Korea;3. KI for NanoCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea |
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| Abstract: | The precisely controllable self‐assembly phenomenon of block copolymers (BCPs) has garnered much attention because it yields well‐defined periodic nanostructures with a periodicity of 5–50 nm. However, from both thermodynamic and kinetic viewpoints, it still remains a challenge to develop a BCP material that can provide sub‐10 nm resolution, high pattern quality, fast pattern formation, and sufficient etch selectivity. To address these challenges, this study reports a BCP system containing a random‐copolymerized block (poly(2‐vinylpyridine‐co‐4‐vinylpyridne)‐b‐poly(dimethylsiloxane) (P(2VP‐co‐4VP)‐b‐PDMS)) that can provide sub‐6 nm resolution, 3σ line edge roughness of 0.89 nm, sub‐1‐min assembly time, and a high etch selectivity over 10. Calculation of the Flory–Huggins interaction parameter (χ) based on Leibler's mean‐field theory and small‐angle X‐ray scattering measurement data confirms the gradual tunability of χ with the controlled addition of 4VP fraction in the P(2VP‐co‐4VP) block. While guaranteeing kinetically fast self‐assembly within one minute using microwave annealing, the best pattern quality resulting from the thermodynamic suppression of line edge fluctuation is achieved with a 4VP weight fraction of 33% in the random‐copolymerized block. This approach enables systematical control of sub‐6 nm scale BCP self‐assembly and will provide a practical patterning solution for diverse nanostructures and devices. |
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| Keywords: | block copolymers directed self‐assembly Flory– Huggins interaction parameters poly(2‐vinylpyridine) random copolymers |
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