Method of stabilizing anti-reflection coating layer

A method of stabilizing an anti-reflection coating (ARC) layer is disclosed. The method provides a substrate with a dielectric layer, a conductive layer, and the ARC layer formed thereon. The ARC layer is treated in an ultraviolet (UV) curing step prior to forming a photoresist layer over the ARC layer, so that the specificity of the ARC layer is stabilized to allow an accurate pattern is replicated in the photoresist layer. A photomask with the desired pattern is provided, while a photolithographic process is then performed to transfer the pattern onto the wafer.