Method of forming pattern and method of manufacturing photomask using such method

摘要

The present invention is mainly directed to provision of a method of producing a highly precise resist pattern, even when a high energy beam is used. Resist containing a base resin including a hydroxyl group, an acid generating agent irradiated with radiation for generating sulfonic acid, and a cross linking agent reacting with the hydroxyl group of the base resin by the catalytic action of the proton of the sulfonic acid thereby cross linking said base resin is applied onto a substrate. The resist is irradiated selectively with radiation, whereby the resist is divided into the exposed part and the non exposed part and the sulfonic acid is generated in the resist of the exposed part. The resist is heated to a first temperature so as to cross link the irradiated part of the resist. The resist is heated to a second temperature and exposed in an atmosphere of a silylating agent, and the surface of the exposed part of the resist is silylated. The resist is dry-developed with oxygen plasma.