Abstract:
A method for selectively altering a thickness of a radiation sensitive polymer layer including providing a substrate including at least one radiation sensitive polymer layer having a first thickness topography; exposing the at least one radiation sensitive polymer layer through a mask having a predetermined radiant energy transmittance distribution to selectively expose predetermined areas of the at least one sensitive polymer layer to predetermined radiant energy dosages; and, developing the at least one radiation sensitive polymer layer to alter the first thickness topography of the at least one radiation sensitive polymer layer to produce a second thickness topography.
Abstract:
A method of processing a semiconductor wafer can be used prior to an immersion lithography process. The method includes providing a layer of organic photoresist onto a surface of the semiconductor wafer and removing a portion of the photoresist from an outer edge of the wafer using an edge-bead removal process. The outer edge of the wafer is then cleaned using one or more processes, including a mechanical scrubber/cleaner, mega-sonic power, de-ionized water and/or chemical solution.
Abstract:
Disclosed are a system and method for designing a mask layout. In one example, the method includes representing the mask layout using a plurality of pixels, each having a mask transmittance coefficient. A control parameter is initialized and a representative of the mask layout is generated. The method determines acceptance of the representative of the mask layout by a cost function and a Boltzmann factor, where the cost function is related to the mask layout and a target substrate pattern, and the Boltzmann factor is related to the cost function and the control parameter. The methods repeats the steps of generating the representative and determining acceptance until the mask layout is stabilized. The control parameter is decreased according to an annealing schedule. The generating, determining, repeating, and decreasing steps are reiterated until the mask layout is optimized.
Abstract:
Various seal ring arrangements for an immersion lithography system are disclosed. With the seal ring arrangements, the immersion lithography system can provide better sealing effect for processing the wafers on a wafer chuck.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a system and method for manufacturing a mask for semiconductor processing. In one example, the system includes at least one exposure unit configured to select a recipe for a later baking process in a post treatment unit, a buffer unit coupled to the exposure unit and configured to move the mask substrate from the exposure unit to the post treatment unit without exposing the mask substrate to the environment; and the post treatment unit coupled to the buffer unit and the exposure unit and configured to perform a baking process on the mask substrate using baking parameters associated with the recipe selected by the exposure unit.
Abstract:
A methodology for doing process control by using a heating apparatus comprising heating zones is revealed. First, a target CD (critical dimension) map is assigned. A baseline CD map corresponding to a substrate processed with the heating apparatus at a baseline setting is also obtained. An original CD map corresponding to a substrate processed at an original setting is obtained. For each heating zone, a perturbed CD map corresponding to a substrate processed at a perturbed setting is also obtained. The temperature distribution of the heating apparatus is adjusted according to the error CD map defined by the baseline CD map and the target CD map, basis functions defined by the original CD map and perturbed CD maps, and expansion coefficients expanding the error CD map with basis functions.
Abstract:
A method of creating a resist image on a semiconductor substrate includes exposing a layer of photoresist on the semiconductor substrate and developing the exposed layer of photoresist using a first fluid including supercritical carbon dioxide and a base such as Tetra-Methyl Ammonium Hydroxide (TMAH). Additionally, the developed photoresist can be cleaned using a second fluid including supercritical carbon dioxide and a solvent such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and xylene.
Abstract:
An immersion lithography system for semiconductor manufacturing provides a lens assembly that moves relative to a wafer surface and includes a nozzle and drain assembly that is coupled to, and moves along, the lens assembly. The nozzle and drain assemblies may be disposed circumferentially opposite each other about the lens or an annular ring may be provided that surrounds the lens and includes a plurality of selectable alternating nozzles and drains. The nozzle and drain assemblies may rotatably surround the lens. At least a portion of the wafer being patterned is immersed in a liquid provided by the nozzle assembly and a flow direction is controlled by manipulating the nozzle and drain assemblies. Flow direction may be advantageously directed outwardly to reduce particulate contamination.
Abstract:
A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate and patterning the photoresist layer to form photoresist portions. A second layer is formed over the substrate in areas not covered by the photoresist portions and the photoresist portions are removed. After removing the photoresist portions, the second layer is used to modify the substrate to create at least a portion of the semiconductor device.
Abstract:
An immersion lithography system is disclosed to comprise a fluid containing feature for providing an immersion fluid for performing immersion lithography on a wafer, and a seal ring covering a predetermined portion of a wafer edge for preventing the immersion fluid from leaking through the covered portion of the wafer edge while the fluid is used for the immersion lithography.