Subresolution grating for attenuated phase shifting mask fabrication
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A photomask produced by a method comprising:
- preparing a glass plate;
transferring a primary pattern onto the glass plate, the primary pattern including an edge circumscribing the primary pattern; and
fabricating a plurality of approximately round contacts in the edge of the primary pattern.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A subresolution grating composed of approximately circular contacts is fabricated around the border of the primary pattern of a photomask. As a result, resolution at the edges of the photomask pattern is improved when the pattern is printed on a wafer surface. In addition, the reduced leakage enables a more efficient use of the glass plate on which the photomask is fabricated as well as a more efficient use of the wafer surface as a result of being able to place patterns closer together.
43 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A photomask produced by a method comprising:
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preparing a glass plate; transferring a primary pattern onto the glass plate, the primary pattern including an edge circumscribing the primary pattern; and fabricating a plurality of approximately round contacts in the edge of the primary pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A photomask produced by a method comprising:
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preparing a glass plate; selectively depositing attenuating material on the glass plate to form a primary pattern, the primary pattern including an edge circumscribing the primary pattern; and fabricating a plurality of octagonal contacts in the edge of the primary pattern.
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5. A method of transferring a pattern to a wafer, comprising:
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placing a photomask between an energy source and a semiconductor wafer, wherein the photomask includes a pattern such that a plurality of approximately round contacts are in an edge circumscribing the pattern; and transferring an image of the pattern of the photomask on the semiconductor wafer through a controlled application of energy from the energy source. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A subresolution grating, comprising:
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an border outlining a primary pattern of a photomask; and a plurality of approximately circular contacts in the border outlining the primary pattern. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A subresolution grating, comprising:
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a border outlining a phase-shifting pattern, the border and the phase-shifting pattern formed with attenuating material; and a plurality of approximately circular contacts in the border outlining the phase-shifting pattern. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A method of fabricating a photomask, comprising:
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transferring a primary pattern onto a glass plate, the primary pattern including an edge circumscribing the primary pattern; and fabricating a plurality of approximately round contacts in the edge of the primary pattern. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method of fabricating a photomask, comprising:
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selectively depositing attenuating material on a glass plate to form a primary pattern, the primary pattern including an edge circumscribing the primary pattern; and fabricating a plurality of octagonal contacts in the edge of the primary pattern.
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17. A method of fabricating a photomask, comprising:
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transferring a primary pattern onto a glass plate, the primary pattern including an edge circumscribing the primary pattern; and fabricating a plurality of approximately round contacts in the edge of the primary pattern, such that adjacent contacts of the plurality of approximately round contacts are separated by a distance approximately equal to a diameter of one of the plurality of approximately round contacts. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method of fabricating a photomask, comprising:
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transferring a primary pattern onto a glass plate, the primary pattern including an edge circumscribing the primary pattern; and fabricating a plurality of octagonal contacts in the edge of the primary pattern, such that adjacent contacts of the plurality of octagonal contacts are separated by a distance approximately equal to a width of one of the plurality of octagonal contacts. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A photomask, comprising:
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a primary pattern; a border outlining the primary pattern; and a plurality of approximately circular contacts in the border outlining the primary pattern such that adjacent contacts of the plurality of approximately circular contacts are separated by a distance approximately equal to a diameter of one of the plurality of approximately circular contacts. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A photomask, comprising:
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a phase-shifting pattern formed with attenuating material, including a border circumscribing the phase-shifting pattern; a plurality of approximately circular contacts formed in the border, such that adjacent contacts of the plurality of approximately circular contacts are separated by a distance approximately equal to a diameter of one of the plurality of approximately circular contacts. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification