System and method for photolithography in semiconductor manufacturing
DCFirst Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for producing a pattern on a substrate layer, the method comprising:
- providing a pattern including a main feature and a dummy feature;
providing at least one first exposure onto the layer by a higher-precision lithography mechanism, wherein the first exposure produces the pattern on the layer; and
providing at least one second exposure onto the layer by a lower-precision lithography mechanism, wherein the second exposure removes the dummy feature from the pattern;
thereby producing the main feature on the layer.
1 Assignment
Litigations
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for producing a pattern on a substrate includes providing at least one exposure of the pattern onto a layer of the substrate by a higher-precision lithography mechanism and providing at least one exposure of the pattern onto a layer of the substrate by a lower-precision lithography mechanism. The exposures can be done in either order, and additional exposures can be included. The higher-precision lithography mechanism can be immersion lithography and the lower-precision lithography mechanism can be dry lithography.
5 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for producing a pattern on a substrate layer, the method comprising:
-
providing a pattern including a main feature and a dummy feature; providing at least one first exposure onto the layer by a higher-precision lithography mechanism, wherein the first exposure produces the pattern on the layer; and providing at least one second exposure onto the layer by a lower-precision lithography mechanism, wherein the second exposure removes the dummy feature from the pattern; thereby producing the main feature on the layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A method for photolithography in semiconductor manufacturing, comprising:
-
providing a first photoresist layer for a wafer; providing a first mask for the wafer; performing a first exposure on the wafer by immersion lithography, wherein the first exposure utilizes the first photoresist layer and the first mask, wherein the first exposure provides a pattern including a main feature; and performing a second exposure on the wafer by dry lithography, wherein the second exposure utilizes the first photoresist layer, and wherein the second exposure changes an edge of the main feature. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method for double exposure photolithography in semiconductor manufacturing, comprising:
-
providing a first photoresist layer for a wafer; providing a first mask for the wafer, wherein the first mask includes a pattern including an active feature and a dummy feature; performing a first exposure to the wafer by immersion lithography wherein the first exposure utilizes the first photoresist layer and the first mask, and wherein a wavelength of light beams used for the immersion lithography is not greater than 193 nm, and wherein a numerical aperture of the immersion lithography is greater than about 0.75; performing a first developing process of the first photoresist layer to form a first photoresist feature associated with the active feature and a second photoresist feature associated with the dummy feature; performing a second exposure to the first photoresist layer of the wafer by dry lithography, wherein either a second mask or no mask is utilized for the second exposure; and performing a second developing process of the first photoresist layer, wherein the second exposure and second developing process remove the second photoresist feature from the wafer.
-
Specification