Abstract:
An EUV mask includes a low thermal expansion material (LTEM) substrate, a reflective multilayer (ML) above one surface of the LTEM substrate, and a conductive layer above an opposite surface of the LTEM substrate. A capping layer is provided above the reflective ML, a buffer layer is provided above the capping layer, and an absorption stack is provided above the buffer layer. The absorption stack comprises multiple layers. A multiple patterning process is performed on the absorption stack to form multiple reflective states.
Abstract:
A method of forming a mask for semiconductor fabrication is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate and forming a first reflective layer over the substrate, wherein the first reflective layer comprises pairs of alternating materials. The method further includes forming a buffer layer over the first reflective layer and forming a second reflective layer over the buffer layer. The second reflective layer has a total thickness less than 90 nanometer (nm). The method further includes patterning the second reflective layer to form a first state and a second state of the mask. A first reflection coefficient of the first state and a second reflection coefficient of the second state have a phase difference of about 180 degrees.
Abstract:
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 and a patterned absorption layer disposed over the reflective multilayer. The patterned absorption layer has a mask image region and a mask border region. The exemplary mask also includes a mask border frame disposed over the mask border region. The mask border frame has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface is not parallel to the bottom surface.
Abstract:
A mask for extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) is disclosed. The mask includes a low thermal expansion material (LTEM) layer; and a reflective multilayer (ML) above one surface of the LTEM layer, wherein the reflective ML has a first thickness in a first reflective region and a second thickness in a second reflective region, wherein the second thickness is different from the first thickness.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a method for extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) process. The method includes loading a mask to a lithography system. The mask includes defect-repaired regions and defines an integrated circuit (IC) pattern thereon. The method also includes setting an illuminator of the lithography system in an illumination mode according to the IC pattern, configuring a pupil filter in the lithography system according to the illumination mode and performing a lithography exposure process to a target with the mask and the pupil filter by the lithography system in the illumination mode.
Abstract:
A reflective mask includes a substrate; a reflective multilayer formed on the substrate; an absorber layer formed on the reflective multilayer, wherein the absorber layer is patterned to have openings according to an integrated circuit layout; and a protection layer formed over the reflective multilayer within the openings.
Abstract:
An apparatus comprises a low EUV reflectivity (LEUVR) mask. The LEUVR mask includes a low thermal expansion material (LTEM) layer; a reflective multilayer (ML) over the LTEM layer; and a patterned absorption layer over the reflective ML. The reflective ML has less than 2% EUV reflectivity.
Abstract:
Provided is a method of forming a pattern for an integrated circuit. The method includes forming a first layer over a substrate, wherein the first layer's etch rate is sensitive to a radiation, such as an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation or an electron beam (e-beam). The method further includes forming a resist layer over the first layer and exposing the resist layer to the radiation for patterning. During the exposure, various portions of the first layer change their etch rate in response to an energy dose of the radiation received therein. The method further includes developing the resist layer, etching the first layer, and etching the substrate to form a pattern. The radiation-sensitivity of the first layer serves to reduce critical dimension variance of the pattern.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. A first layer is deposited over a substrate. A plurality of mandrels is formed over the first layer. Guiding-spacers are formed along sidewalls of the mandrels. Then the mandrels are removed. A neutral layer (NL) and a block copolymer (BCP) layer are deposited over the first layer and the guiding-spacers. A anneal is applied to the BCP layer to form a first polymer nanostructure between the guiding-spacers and being surrounded by a second polymer nanostructure. The first polymer nanostructures locate at a same distance from the first layer. Polymer nano-blocks are formed by selectively etching the second polymer nanostructure and the NL. By using the polymer nano-blocks and the guiding spacer as etch masks, the first layer is etched to form openings. The substrate is etched through the openings to form substrate trench and substrate fin.
Abstract:
An extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) process is performed on a target, such as a semiconductor wafer, having a photosensitive layer. The method includes providing a one-dimensional patterned mask along a first direction. The patterned mask includes a substrate including a first region and a second region, a multilayer mirror above the first and second regions, an absorption layer above the multilayer mirror in the second region, and a defect in the first region. The method further includes exposing the patterned mask by an illuminator and setting the patterned mask and the target in relative motion along the first direction while exposing the patterned mask. As a result, an accumulated exposure dose received by the target is an optimized exposure dose.