Evolution of lithographic materials enabling the semiconductor industry

Underpinning the Electronic Revolution over the last 50 years is the development of sophisticated patterning materials which have enabled the elegant semiconductor chip design. Of central importance is the photoresist material which has been custom designed for shrinking exposure wavelengths. Polymer chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, and photochemistry have all played important roles in the design and development of photoresist materials. Ancillary lithographic materials have also been implemented to solve critical lithographic issues such as antireflection control, leaching and outgassing, and pattern transfer. It can be safely stated that without the creative inventions of lithographic materials by chemists and engineers the Electronic Revolution would not happen. This presentation will introduce the critical chemistry and engineering solutions that led to the development of these enabling lithographic materials.