Abstract:
Immersion lithography system and method using a sealed wafer bottom are described. One embodiment is an immersion lithography apparatus comprising a lens assembly comprising an imaging lens and a wafer stage for retaining a wafer beneath the lens assembly, the wafer stage comprising a seal ring disposed on a seal ring frame along a top edge of the wafer retained on the wafer stage, the seal ring for sealing a gap between an edge of the wafer and the wafer stage. The embodiment further includes a fluid tank for retaining immersion fluid, the fluid tank situated with respect to the wafer stage for enabling full immersion of the wafer retained on the wafer stage in the immersion fluid and a cover disposed over at least a portion of the fluid tank for providing a temperature-controlled, fluid-rich environment within the fluid tank; and
Abstract:
A method uses a projection mask aligner that includes a hard pellicle mounting apparatus having an enclosure with an interior cavity, an inlet port for receiving a mask with a protective cover, and an outlet port for outputting a mask covered by a hard pellicle, that has a demounting portion for removing the protective cover from the mask, that has a mounting portion for mounting the hard pellicle on the mask, and that has a conduit for receiving a light-transmitting gas. The method includes: forming a hard pellicle/mask assembly having at least one hard pellicle mounted thereon; positioning the hard pellicle/mask assembly between a light source and an imaging lens; positioning a photoresist-coated semiconductor wafer under the imaging lens with a photoresist layer facing the lens; and imaging microelectronics circuits from the hard pellicle/mask assembly onto the semiconductor wafer.
Abstract:
A method for planarizing a polymer layer is provided which includes providing a substrate having the polymer layer formed thereon, providing a structure having a substantially flat surface, pressing the flat surface of the structure to a top surface of the polymer layer such that the top surface of the polymer layer substantially conforms to the flat surface of the structure, and separating the flat surface of the structure from the top surface of the polymer material layer.
Abstract:
A method for electron-beam patterning includes forming a conductive material layer on a substrate; forming a bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) layer on the conductive material layer; forming a resist layer on the BARC layer; and directing an electron beam (e-beam) to the sensitive resist layer for an electron beam patterning process. The BARC layer is designed such that a top electrical potential of the resist layer is substantially zero during the e-beam patterning process.
Abstract:
A method of an integrated circuit (IC) design includes receiving an IC design layout. The IC design layout includes an IC feature with a first outer boundary and a first target points assigned to the first outer boundary. The method also includes generating a second outer boundary for the IC feature and moving all the first target points to the second outer boundary to form a modified IC design layout.
Abstract:
A device for reflective electron-beam lithography and methods of producing the same are described. The device includes a substrate, a plurality of conductive layers formed on the substrate, which are parallel to each other and separated by insulating pillar structures, and a plurality of apertures in each conductive layer. Apertures in each conductive layer are vertically aligned with the apertures in other conductive layers and a periphery of each aperture includes conductive layers that are suspended.
Abstract:
A resist material and methods using the resist material are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes forming a resist layer over a substrate, wherein the resist layer includes a polymer, a photoacid generator, an electron acceptor, and a photodegradable base; performing an exposure process that exposes portions of the resist layer with radiation, wherein the photodegradable base is depleted in the exposed portions of the resist layer during the exposure process; and performing an developing process on the resist layer.
Abstract:
A method of an integrated circuit (IC) design includes receiving an IC design layout. The IC design layout includes an IC feature with a first outer boundary and a first target points assigned to the first outer boundary. The method also includes generating a second outer boundary for the IC feature and moving all the first target points to the second outer boundary to form a modified IC design layout.
Abstract:
A method for electron-beam patterning includes forming a conductive material layer on a substrate; forming a bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) layer on the conductive material layer; forming a resist layer on the BARC layer; and directing an electron beam (e-beam) to the sensitive resist layer for an electron beam patterning process. The BARC layer is designed such that a top electrical potential of the resist layer is substantially zero during the e-beam patterning process.
Abstract:
A device for reflective electron-beam lithography and methods of producing the same are described. The device includes a substrate, a plurality of conductive layers formed on the substrate, which are parallel to each other and separated by insulating pillar structures, and a plurality of apertures in each conductive layer. Apertures in each conductive layer are vertically aligned with the apertures in other conductive layers and a periphery of each aperture includes conductive layers that are suspended.