Laser delivery system and method for photolithographic mask repair
First Claim
1. A system for photolithographic mask repair which comprises:
- a structure for supporting a mask to be operated on;
a laser emitting device for effecting mask repair;
a light source adjacent the support structure for selected illumination of the mask;
a laser processor for effecting sequential angular manipulation of a laser beam projecting from the laser emitting device, the processor including an adjustable beam splitter for effecting off-axis laser illumination, a motorized aperture for facilitating incremental mask repair, an optical system for image reduction, and a device for viewing the mask during repair;
a computer device for controlling the sequential angular manipulation so as to capture a generally complete waveform of the beam; and
a microscope for multi-aspect viewing of the mask during navigation of the beam about the mask.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for photolithographic mask repair. The system includes a structure for supporting a mask to be operated on, a laser emitting device for effecting mask repair, a light source adjacent the support structure for selected illumination of the mask, a laser processor for effecting sequential angular manipulation of a laser beam projecting from the laser emitting device, a computer device for controlling the sequential angular manipulation so as to capture a generally complete waveform of the beam, and a microscope for multi-aspect viewing of the mask during navigation of the beam about the mask. The computer device, simultaneously with manipulation of the beam, effecting fine motion control of the beam, controlled movement of the motorized aperture for effecting the sequential angular manipulation, controlled support structure movement, and image data processing.
143 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for photolithographic mask repair which comprises:
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a structure for supporting a mask to be operated on;
a laser emitting device for effecting mask repair;
a light source adjacent the support structure for selected illumination of the mask;
a laser processor for effecting sequential angular manipulation of a laser beam projecting from the laser emitting device, the processor including an adjustable beam splitter for effecting off-axis laser illumination, a motorized aperture for facilitating incremental mask repair, an optical system for image reduction, and a device for viewing the mask during repair;
a computer device for controlling the sequential angular manipulation so as to capture a generally complete waveform of the beam; and
a microscope for multi-aspect viewing of the mask during navigation of the beam about the mask. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for photolithographic mask repair which comprises:
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a structure for supporting a mask to be operated on;
a laser emitting device for effecting mask repair;
a light source adjacent to the support structure for selected illumination of the mask;
a laser processor for effecting sequential angular manipulation of a laser beam projecting from the laser emitting device, the processor including an adjustable beam splitter for effecting off-axis laser illumination, a motorized aperture for facilitating incremental mask repair, an optical system for image reduction, and a device for viewing the mask during repair;
a computer device for controlling the sequential angular manipulation so as to capture a generally complete waveform of the beam; and
a microscope for multi-aspect viewing of the mask during navigation of the beam about the mask, the computer device, simultaneously with manipulation of the beam, effecting fine motion control of the beam, controlled movement of the motorized aperture for effecting the sequential angular manipulation, controlled support structure movement, and image data processing. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for photolithographic mask repair which comprises:
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a structure for supporting a mask to be operated on;
a laser emitting device for effecting mask repair;
a light source adjacent to the support structure for selected illumination of the mask;
a laser processor for effecting sequential angular manipulation of a laser beam projecting from the laser emitting device;
a computer device for controlling the sequential angular manipulation as to capture a generally complete waveform of the beam; and
a microscope for multi-aspect viewing of the mask during navigation of the beam about the mask, the microscope including a relatively low magnification video camera, a relatively high magnification video camera, and a DUV imaging and transmission measurement system.
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19. A system for photolithographic mask repair which comprises:
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a structure for supporting a mask to be operated on;
a laser emitting device for effecting mask repair;
a light source adjacent to the support structure for selected illumination of the mask;
a laser processor for effecting sequential angular manipulation of a laser beam projecting from the laser emitting device;
a computer device for controlling the sequential angular manipulation as to capture a generally complete waveform of the beam; and
a microscope for multi-aspect viewing of the mask during navigation of the beam about the mask.
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20. A system for photolithographic mask repair which comprises:
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a mask to be operated on;
a laser emitting device for effecting mask repair;
a laser processor for effecting sequential angular manipulation of a laser beam projecting from the laser emitting device, the processor including an adjustable beam splitter for effecting off-axis laser illumination, a motorized aperture for facilitating incremental mask repair, an optical system for image reduction, and a device for viewing the mask during repair;
a computer device for controlling the sequential angular manipulation so as to capture a generally complete waveform of the beam; and
a microscope for multi-aspect viewing of the mask during navigation of the beam about the mask.
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21. A system for photolithographic mask repair which comprises a mask to be operated on, a laser emitting device for effecting mask repair, and a laser processor for effecting sequential angular manipulation of a laser beam projecting from the laser emitting device, the processor including an adjustable beam splitter for effecting off-axis laser illumination, a motorized aperture for facilitating incremental mask repair, an optical system for image reduction, and a device for viewing the mask during repair.
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22. A method for photolithographic mask repair comprising the steps of:
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i. locating a photo-mask on a relatively stationary, isolated support structure;
ii. activating a laser emitting device for effecting mask repair;
iii. actuating a light source adjacent to the support structure for selected illumination of the mask;
iv. passing a laser beam emitted from the laser emitting device through a laser processor for effecting sequential angular manipulation of the laser beam, the processor including an adjustable beam splitter for effecting off-axis illumination of the laser beam, a motorized aperture for facilitating incremental mask repair, an optical system for image reduction, and a device for viewing the mask during repair;
v. controlling the sequential angular manipulation so as to capture a generally complete waveform of the beam; and
vi. simultaneously with the sequential angular manipulation, providing multi-aspect viewing of the mask during navigation of the beam about the mask, effecting fine motion control of the beam, controlled movement of the motorized aperture for effecting the sequential angular manipulation, controlled support structure movement, and image data processing.
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23. A method for photolithographic mask repair comprising the steps of:
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i. activating a laser emitting device for effecting mask repair;
ii. locating a photo-mask on a relatively stationary, isolated support structure;
iii. actuating a light source adjacent to the support structure for selected illumination of the mask;
iv. passing a laser beam emitted from the laser emitting device through a laser processor for effecting sequential angular manipulation of the laser beam, the processor including an adjustable beam splitter for effecting off-axis illumination of the laser beam, a motorized aperture for facilitating incremental mask repair, an optical system for image reduction, and a device for viewing the mask during repair;
v. controlling the sequential angular manipulation so as to capture a generally complete waveform of the beam; and
vi. simultaneously with the sequential angular manipulation, providing multi-aspect viewing of the mask during navigation of the beam about the mask, effecting fine motion control of the beam, controlled movement of the motorized aperture for effecting the sequential angular manipulation, controlled support structure movement, and image data processing.
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24. A method for photolithographic mask repair comprising the steps of:
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i. activating a laser emitting device for effecting mask repair;
ii. actuating a light source adjacent to the support structure for selected illumination of the mask;
iii. locating a photo-mask on a relatively stationary, isolated support structure;
iv. passing a laser beam emitted from the laser emitting device through a laser processor for effecting sequential angular manipulation of the laser beam, the processor including an adjustable beam splitter for effecting off-axis illumination of the laser beam, a motorized aperture for facilitating incremental mask repair, an optical system for image reduction, and a device for viewing the mask during repair;
v. controlling the sequential angular manipulation so as to capture a generally complete waveform of the beam; and
vi. simultaneously with the sequential angular manipulation, providing multi-aspect viewing of the mask during navigation of the beam about the mask, effecting fine motion control of the beam, controlled movement of the motorized aperture for effecting the sequential angular manipulation, controlled support structure movement, and image data processing.
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Specification