Real-Time Configurable Masking
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, systems, and media to define a portion of a circuit pattern with a source of real-time configurable imaging are disclosed. Embodiments include hardware and/or software for directing a beam through a mask onto a wafer surface to outline a circuit pattern having an undefined area, directing a second beam to the semiconductor wafer surface to define a circuit structure in the undefined area to complete the circuit pattern on the semiconductor wafer surface, and directing the second beam onto a source of real-time configurable imaging. Embodiments may also include a mask to include an undefined area incorporated into the circuit pattern to leave a critical structure of the circuit pattern undefined. Several embodiments include a photolithography system including an exposure tool, a mask, a source of real-time configurable imaging, and addressing circuitry.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1-15. -15. (canceled)
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16. A lithography system, comprising:
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an exposure tool to expose a wafer surface to a first beam via a mask, wherein the mask filters the first beam to project a circuit pattern, the circuit pattern comprising an undefined area designed for a circuit structure to complete; a source of real-time configurable imaging to filter a second beam with a pattern defined by the circuit structure, to project the circuit structure onto a portion of the wafer surface that is associated with the undefined area; and addressing circuitry to configure the source of real-time configurable imaging with the pattern based upon the circuit structure. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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20. The lithography system of claim 20, wherein the source of real-time configurable imaging comprises an optical medium across which an electric potential is applied to create opaque and translucent areas to filter exposure of the wafer surface by the second beam, wherein the optical medium comprises an optical medium selected from an optical medium group comprising a liquid optical medium and a solid optical medium.
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21-23. -23. (canceled)
Specification