Abstract:
The present invention refers to a method for determining an effect of one or more of pixels to be introduced into a substrate of a photolithographic mask, the photolithographic mask having one or more pattern elements, wherein the one or more pixels serve to at least partly correct one or more errors of the photolithographic mask, the method comprising: determining the effect of the one or more introduced pixels by determining a change in birefringence of the substrate of the photolithographic mask having the one or more pattern elements.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for correcting at least one error on wafers processed by at least one photolithographic mask, the method comprises: (a) measuring the at least one error on a wafer at a wafer processing site, and (b) modifying the at least one photolithographic mask by introducing at least one arrangement of local persistent modifications in the at least one photolithographic mask.
Abstract:
The present invention refers to a method for performing an aerial image simulation of a photolithographic mask which comprises the following steps: (a) modifying an optical radiation distribution at a patterned surface of the photolithographic mask, depending on at least one first arrangement of pixels to be generated in the photolithographic mask; and (b) performing the aerial image simulation of the photolithographic mask by using the generated modified optical radiation distribution.
Abstract:
Method, apparatus for imparting direction-selective light attenuation. A method for imparting direction-selective light attenuation to a photomask may include assigning different attenuation levels to light rays of different directions of incidence. The method may also include computing an array of shading elements to attenuate the light rays with the assigned different attenuation levels, depending on the direction of incidence of the light rays. The method may further include inscribing the array of shading elements within a substrate of the photomask.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for correcting at least one error on wafers processed by at least one photolithographic mask, the method comprises: (a) measuring the at least one error on a wafer at a wafer processing site, and (b) modifying the at least one photolithographic mask by introducing at least one arrangement of local persistent modifications in the at least one photolithographic mask.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for compensating at least one defect of an optical system which comprises introducing an arrangement of local persistent modifications in at least one optical element of the optical system, which does not have pattern elements on one of its optical surfaces, so that the at least one defect is at least partially compensated.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a method for correcting a reflective lithography mask, wherein the mask comprises a substrate and a reflective multilayer stack, the method comprising: applying a first electromagnetic radiation to the mask to evoke a first material change within the mask which modifies a reflectivity of the mask. The present disclosure further relates to an apparatus for correcting a reflective lithography mask and a reflective lithography mask.
Abstract:
The present invention refers to a method and an apparatus for determining positions of a plurality of pixels to be introduced into a substrate of a photolithographic mask by use of a laser system, wherein the pixels serve to at least partly correct one or more errors of the photolithographic mask. The method comprises the steps: (a) obtaining error data associated with the one or more errors; (b) obtaining first parameters of an illumination system, the first parameters determining an illumination of the photolithographic mask of the illumination system when processing a wafer by illuminating with the illumination system using the photolithographic mask; and (c) determining the positions of the plurality of pixels based on the error data and the first parameters.
Abstract:
The present invention refers to a method for determining an effect of one or more of pixels to be introduced into a substrate of a photolithographic mask, the photolithographic mask having one or more pattern elements, wherein the one or more pixels serve to at least partly correct one or more errors of the photolithographic mask, the method comprising: determining the effect of the one or more introduced pixels by determining a change in birefringence of the substrate of the photolithographic mask having the one or more pattern elements.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for correcting the critical dimension uniformity of a photomask for semiconductor lithography, comprising the following steps: determining a transfer coefficient as a calibration parameter, correcting the photomask by writing pixel fields, verifying the photomask corrected thus, wherein a transfer coefficient is used for verifying the corrected photomask, said transfer coefficient being obtained from a measured scattering function of pixel fields.