摘要:
A mask and method of fabricating same are disclosed. In an example, a mask includes a substrate, a reflective multilayer coating disposed over the substrate, an Ag2O absorber layer disposed over the reflective multilayer coating, and a tantalum-containing absorber layer disposed over the Ag2O absorber layer. The tantalum-containing absorber layer is disposed over the Ag2O absorber layer outside a mask image region of the mask, such that the mask image region of the mask is free of the tantalum-containing absorber layer. In an example, the tantalum-containing absorber layer is disposed over the Ag2O absorber layer adjacent to the mask image region.
摘要:
A photomask having a machine-readable identifying mark and suitable for manufacturing integrated circuit devices and a method for forming the photomask and identifying mark are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment includes receiving a design layout corresponding to a pattern to be formed on a photomask blank. A specification of an identifying code is also received along with the photomask blank, which includes a substrate, a reflective layer, and an absorptive layer. A first patterning is performed using the design layout. A second patterning is performed using the specification of the identifying code.
摘要:
A method for reducing layer overlay errors by synchronizing the density of mask material in the frame area across the masks in a set is disclosed. An exemplary method includes creating a mask design database corresponding to a mask and containing a die area with one or more dies and a frame area outside the die area. Fiducial features within the frame area are identified, and from the fiducial features, an idle frame area is identified. A reference mask design, which corresponds to a reference mask configured to be aligned with the mask, is used to determine a reference density for the idle frame area. The idle frame area of the mask design database is modified to correspond to the reference density. The modified mask design database is then available for further use including manufacturing the mask.
摘要:
Provided is a method including layout design of an integrated circuit. A first pattern is provided. The first pattern includes an array of dummy line features and a plurality of spacer elements abutting the dummy line features. A second pattern is provided. The second pattern defines an active region of an integrated circuit device. An edge spacer element of the active region is determined. A dummy line feature of the array of dummy line features is biased (e.g., increased in width), the dummy line feature is adjacent an edge spacer element.
摘要:
Photoresist reflow for an enhanced process window for non-dense contacts is disclosed. A corrective bias is determined for application to each of a number of contacts at different pitches, to achieve a substantially identical critical dimension for each contact. The corrective bias is determined based on a first and a second critical dimension for each contact, where the first critical dimension is before photoresist reflow, and potentially inclusive of optical proximity effects, and the second critical dimension is after photoresist reflow. A photomask is then constructed for a semiconductor design that incorporates the corrective bias that has been determined for the contacts of the design. Lithographical processing of the semiconductor design on a semiconductor wafer using thus photomask, and subsequent photoresist reflow, thus achieves a substantially identical critical dimension for each of the contacts of the semiconductor design.
摘要:
Reducing photoresist shrinkage by plasma treatment is disclosed. A semiconductor wafer having one or more photoresist layers is plasma treated, such as plasma curing, plasma etching, and/or high-density plasma etching the wafer. After plasma treating, one or more critical dimensions on the photoresist layers is measured using an electron beam, such as by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The plasma treating of the wafer prior to measuring the critical dimensions using the electron beam decreases shrinkage of the photoresist layer when using the electron beam.
摘要:
A method for forming a photomask and pellicle suitable for use in photolithography with incident electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range from above 250 nm to below 150 nm. The opaque regions of the photomask are formed directly within a transparent F-doped quartz layer by either gallium ion staining using a focused ion beam (FIB) or by deposition of carbon atoms within trenches formed in the transparent layer, said carbon atom deposition being a result of the interaction of a FIB with styrene molecules. An alignment boundary formed on the resulting mask allows a hard pellicle to be fit directly over it so as to avoid warping.
摘要:
An improved microlithographic imaging system (100) is disclosed. The system comprises a filter (183) substantially aligned with a first image plane, adjacent to an aperture (185). The filter is formed in response to an image projected by a light source (110) through a reticle (160) onto the first image plane. The improved microlithographic imaging system has higher resolution and depth of focus than prior art imaging systems, due to the additional filtering performed by the filter (183). A filter in accordance with the invention can be fabricated easily and inexpensively, using conventional microlithography techniques. A filter in accordance with the invention can also be used to detect or correct flaws in the reticle (160).
摘要:
A reflective mask is described. The mask includes a low thermal expansion material (LTEM) substrate, a conductive layer deposited on a first surface of the LTEM substrate, a stack of reflective multilayers (ML) deposited on a second surface of the LTEM substrate, a capping layer deposited on the stack of reflective ML, a first absorption layer deposited on the first capping layer, a main pattern, and a border ditch. The border ditch reaches to the capping layer, a second absorption layer deposited inside the border ditch, and the second absorption layer contacts the capping layer. In some instances, the border ditch crosses the capping layer and partially enters the reflective multilayer.
摘要:
A mask and method of fabricating same are disclosed. In an example, a mask includes a substrate, a reflective multilayer coating disposed over the substrate, an Ag2O absorber layer disposed over the reflective multilayer coating, and a tantalum-containing absorber layer disposed over the Ag2O absorber layer. The tantalum-containing absorber layer is disposed over the Ag2O absorber layer outside a mask image region of the mask, such that the mask image region of the mask is free of the tantalum-containing absorber layer. In an example, the tantalum-containing absorber layer is disposed over the Ag2O absorber layer adjacent to the mask image region.