摘要:
A method and apparatus for exposing a radiation-sensitive material of a microlithographic substrate to a selected radiation. The method can include directing the radiation along a radiation path in a first direction toward a reticle, passing the radiation from the reticle and to the microlithographic substrate along the radiation path in a second direction, and moving the reticle relative to the radiation path along a reticle path generally normal to the first direction. The microlithographic substrate can move relative to the radiation path along a substrate path having a first component generally parallel to the second direction, and a second component generally perpendicular to the second direction. The microlithographic substrate can move generally parallel to and generally perpendicular to the second direction in a periodic manner while the reticle moves along the reticle path to change a relative position of a focal plane of the radiation.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for exposing a radiation-sensitive material of a microlithographic substrate to a selected radiation. The method can include directing the radiation along a radiation path in a first direction toward a reticle, passing the radiation from the reticle and to the microlithographic substrate along the radiation path in a second direction, and moving the reticle relative to the radiation path along a reticle path generally normal to the first direction. The microlithographic substrate can move relative to the radiation path along a substrate path having a first component generally parallel to the second direction, and a second component generally perpendicular to the second direction. The microlithographic substrate can move generally parallel to and generally perpendicular to the second direction in a periodic manner while the reticle moves along the reticle path to change a relative position of a focal plane of the radiation.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for exposing a radiation-sensitive material of a microlithographic substrate to a selected radiation. The method can include directing the radiation along a radiation path in a first direction toward a reticle, passing the radiation from the reticle and to the microlithographic substrate along the radiation path in a second direction, and moving the reticle relative to the radiation path along a reticle path generally normal to the first direction. The microlithographic substrate can move relative to the radiation path along a substrate path having a first component generally parallel to the second direction, and a second component generally perpendicular to the second direction. The microlithographic substrate can move generally parallel to and generally perpendicular to the second direction in a periodic manner while the reticle moves along the reticle path to change a relative position of a focal plane of the radiation.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for controlling an intensity distribution of a radiation beam directed to a microlithographic substrate. The method can include directing a radiation beam from a radiation source along the radiation path, with the radiation beam having a first distribution of intensity as the function of location in a plane generally transverse to the radiation path. The radiation beam impinges on an adaptive structure positioned in the radiation path and an intensity distribution of the radiation beam is changed from the first distribution to a second distribution by changing a state of the first portion of the adaptive structure relative to a second portion of the adaptive structure. For example, the transmissivity of the first portion, or inclination of the first portion can be changed relative to the second portion. The radiation is then directed away from the adaptive structure to impinge on the microlithographic substrate.
摘要:
A system and method for minimizing critical dimension errors on imaged wafers is described. After imaging and processing one or more wafers, the various critical dimensions are determined across the imaged exposure field and compared with the target critical dimensions to ascertain average critical dimension errors. The critical dimension error distribution across the field is modeled and the necessary exposure dose corrections are calculated to compensate the critical dimension errors. A pellicle is formed with light intensity modifying regions corresponding to the calculated local dose corrections. These regions alter the amount of light which is transmitted from a light source through a semiconductor mask onto the exposure fields of the wafers. As a consequence, the critical dimensions of the printed features are altered as well. The light intensity modifying region may be formed by depositing, such as by sputtering, particles which reflect or absorb light. Alternatively, the light intensity modifying region may be formed with an ink jet printer. Instead, a clear or grey-scaled pellicle may be used, and portions of it may be ablated to alter light transmission in certain areas.
摘要:
A system and method for minimizing critical dimension errors on imaged wafers is described. After imaging and processing one or more wafers, the various critical dimensions are determined across the imaged exposure field and compared with the target critical dimensions to ascertain average critical dimension errors. The critical dimension error distribution across the field is modeled and the necessary exposure dose corrections are calculated to compensate the critical dimension errors. A pellicle is formed with light intensity modifying regions corresponding to the calculated local dose corrections. These regions alter the amount of light which is transmitted from a light source through a semiconductor mask onto the exposure fields of the wafers. As a consequence, the critical dimensions of the printed features are altered as well. The light intensity modifying region may be formed by depositing, such as by sputtering, particles which reflect or absorb light. Alternatively, the light intensity modifying region may be formed with an ink jet printer. Instead, a clear or grey-scaled pellicle may be used, and portions of it may be ablated to alter light transmission in certain areas.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for controlling an intensity distribution of a radiation beam directed to a microlithographic substrate. The method can include directing a radiation beam from a radiation source along the radiation path, with the radiation beam having a first distribution of intensity as the function of location in a plane generally transverse to the radiation path. The radiation beam impinges on an adaptive structure positioned in the radiation path and an intensity distribution of the radiation beam is changed from the first distribution to a second distribution by changing a state of the first portion of the adaptive structure relative to a second portion of the adaptive structure. For example, the transmissivity of the first portion, or inclination of the first portion can be changed relative to the second portion. The radiation is then directed away from the adaptive structure to impinge on the microlithographic substrate.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for controlling an intensity distribution of a radiation beam directed to a microlithographic substrate. The method can include directing a radiation beam from a radiation source along the radiation path, with the radiation beam having a first distribution of intensity as the function of location in a plane generally transverse to the radiation path. The radiation beam impinges on an adaptive structure positioned in the radiation path and an intensity distribution of the radiation beam is changed from the first distribution to a second distribution by changing a state of the first portion of the adaptive structure relative to a second portion of the adaptive structure. For example, the transmissivity of the first portion, or inclination of the first portion can be changed relative to the second portion. The radiation is then directed away from the adaptive structure to impinge on the microlithographic substrate.
摘要:
The invention includes methods by which the size and shape of photoresist-containing masking compositions can be selectively controlled after development of the photoresist. For instance, photoresist features can be formed over a substrate utilizing a photolithographic process. Subsequently, at least some of the photoresist features can be exposed to actinic radiation to cause release of a substance from the photoresist. A layer of material is formed over the photoresist features and over gaps between the features. The material has a solubility in a solvent which is reduced when the material interacts with the substance released from the photoresist. The solvent is utilized to remove portions of the material which are not sufficiently proximate to the photoresist to receive the substance, selectively relative to portions which are sufficiently proximate to the photoresist. The photoresist features can be exposed to the actinic radiation either before or after forming the layer of material.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for shaping and/or orienting radiation irradiating a microlithographic substrate. The method can include directing a beam of radiation along a radiation path toward a reflective medium, with the beam having a first shape in a plane generally transverse to the radiation path. The shape of the radiation beam can be changed from the first shape to a second, different shape by inclining a first portion of the reflective medium relative to a second portion of the reflective medium and reflecting the radiation beam toward a microlithographic substrate. The beam can then impinge on the microlithographic substrate after changing the shape from the first shape to the second shape, and at least a portion of the radiation can be inclined relative to the radiation path, for example, to enhance the imaging of selected diffractive orders.