Etching of nano-imprint templates using an etch reactor
First Claim
1. A method for processing a photolithographic reticle, comprising:
- positioning a mold on a layer of resist material disposed on a reticle having a metal photomask layer formed on an optically transparent substrate;
curing the resist material on the reticle;
removing the mold to leave an imprint on the cured resist material;
positioning the imprinted reticle on a support member in a processing chamber;
etching recessed regions of the imprinted resist material to expose portions of the metal photomask layer using a plasma formed in the processing chamber; and
etching the exposed portions of the metal photomask layer through the imprinted resist material the using the plasma, wherein etching recessed regions of the imprinted resist material further comprises;
providing a first gas mixture from which the plasma is formed to the processing chamber, the first gas mixture comprising an oxygen containing gas, a halogen containing gas and a chlorine containing gas.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for etching a metal layer using an imprinted resist material are provided. In one embodiment, a method for processing a photolithographic reticle includes providing a reticle having a metal photomask layer formed on an optically transparent substrate and an imprinted resist material deposited on the metal photomask layer, etching recessed regions of the imprinted resist material to expose portions of the metal photomask layer in a first etching step, and etching the exposed portions of the metal photomask layer through the imprinted resist material in a second etching step, wherein at least one of the first or second etching steps utilizes a plasma formed from a processing gas comprising oxygen, halogen and chlorine containing gases. In one embodiment, the process gas is utilized in both the first and second etching steps. In another embodiment, the first and second etching steps are performed in the same processing chamber.
382 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for processing a photolithographic reticle, comprising:
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positioning a mold on a layer of resist material disposed on a reticle having a metal photomask layer formed on an optically transparent substrate; curing the resist material on the reticle; removing the mold to leave an imprint on the cured resist material; positioning the imprinted reticle on a support member in a processing chamber; etching recessed regions of the imprinted resist material to expose portions of the metal photomask layer using a plasma formed in the processing chamber; and etching the exposed portions of the metal photomask layer through the imprinted resist material the using the plasma, wherein etching recessed regions of the imprinted resist material further comprises; providing a first gas mixture from which the plasma is formed to the processing chamber, the first gas mixture comprising an oxygen containing gas, a halogen containing gas and a chlorine containing gas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for processing a photolithographic reticle, comprising:
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positioning a mold on a first layer of resist material disposed on a reticle having a metal photomask layer formed on an optically transparent substrate; curing the resist material on the reticle; removing the mold to leave an imprint on the cured resist material; positioning the imprinted reticle on a support member in a processing chamber; etching recessed regions of the imprinted resist material to expose portions of the metal photomask layer using a plasma formed in the processing chamber; etching the exposed portions of the metal photomask layer through the imprinted resist material the using the plasma; depositing a second layer of resist material on the etched metal photomask layer; patterning the second layer of resist material to expose an attenuating material; and plasma etching the exposed portions of the attenuating material through the patterned second of resist material to form a phase-shifting photomask. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A method for processing a photolithographic reticle, comprising:
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positioning a reticle on a support member in a processing chamber, wherein the reticle comprises a metal photomask layer formed on an optically transparent substrate and an imprinted resist material deposited on the metal photomask layer; introducing a processing gas comprising an oxygen containing gas, a chlorine containing gas, and a halogen containing gas into the processing chamber; etching recessed regions of the imprinted resist material to expose portions of the metal photomask layer using a plasma formed from the processing gas; and etching the exposed portions of the metal photomask layer through the imprinted resist material the using the plasma. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for processing a photolithographic reticle, comprising:
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providing a reticle having a metal photomask layer formed on an optically transparent substrate and an imprinted resist material deposited on the metal photomask layer; etching recessed regions of the imprinted resist material to expose portions of the metal photomask layer in a first etching step; and etching the exposed portions of the metal photomask layer through the imprinted resist material in a second etching step, wherein both of the first and second etching steps utilize a plasma formed from a processing gas comprising an oxygen containing gas, a chlorine containing gas, and a halogen containing gas. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification