US4666292A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Projection optical apparatus and a photographic mask therefor
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1985-08-23
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Granted: 1987-05-19
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Expires: 2005-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A projection optical apparatus used for projecting a pattern in the photolithographic operation for semiconductor device fabrication and a photographic mask used with the apparatus. In the projection optical apparatus, the reflected light from the pattern of a mask is utilized in place of the transmitted light through the pattern of the mask for the purpose of projecting the pattern. For this purpose, the projection optical apparatus includes illuminating optical means for projecting an illuminating light to the pattern of the mask and light guide means for directing the illuminating light reflected by the pattern of the mask to a projection optical system. A mask adapted for use with the apparatus contains a pattern composed of two opaque areas which are different in reflectance from each other.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazunori Imamura
- 👤 Yoshio Mori
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:03
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/70; G03F7/70216; G03F7/70283; G03F7/20; G03F7/2002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
Ana optical apparatus for projecting a pattern arranged in a first plane onto a second plane, said apparatus comprising: a transparent substrate having said pattern arranged on a first surface thereof, said pattern including first and second opaque areas of different reflectances; projection optical means arranged along an optical path between said first plane and said second plane; means for supporting said transparent substrate in such a manner that a second surface of said substrate faces said projection optical means and said first surface coincides with said first plane; radiation means for producing a radiation beam; and light guide means arranged along said optical path between said first plane and said second plane for first directing said radiation beam toward said first plane and then directing the portion of said radiation beam reflected by said pattern toward said projection optical means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
Ana optical apparatus for projecting a pattern arranged in a first plane onto a second plane, said apparatus comprising: a transparent substrate having said pattern arranged on a first surface thereof, said pattern including first and second opaque areas of different reflectances; projection optical means arranged along an optical path between said first plane and said second plane; means for supporting said transparent substrate in such a manner that a second surface of said substrate faces said projection optical means and said first surface coincides with said first plane; radiation means for producing a radiation beam; and light guide means arranged along said optical path between said first plane and said second plane for first directing said radiation beam toward said first plane and then directing the portion of said radiation beam reflected by said pattern toward said projection optical means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
133 words
A photographic mask for directing part of the radiation produced from a source toward a projection optical system, said mask comprising: a transparent substrate having a first surface through which said radiation is projected to the inside thereof; and a pattern forming means provided on a second surface of said substrate to reflect part of said projected radiation toward said projection optical system through said first surface, said pattern forming means including a first layer having a first reflectance and provided to form a desired pattern on said second surface and a second layer having a second reflectance different than said first reflectance and provided to form a background of said desired pattern, said first and second layers being opaque whereby substantially all of said radiation is blocked by said pattern forming means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
133 words
A photographic mask for directing part of the radiation produced from a source toward a projection optical system, said mask comprising: a transparent substrate having a first surface through which said radiation is projected to the inside thereof; and a pattern forming means provided on a second surface of said substrate to reflect part of said projected radiation toward said projection optical system through said first surface, said pattern forming means including a first layer having a first reflectance and provided to form a desired pattern on said second surface and a second layer having a second reflectance different than said first reflectance and provided to form a background of said desired pattern, said first and second layers being opaque whereby substantially all of said radiation is blocked by said pattern forming means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A photographic mask according to claim 2, wherein said pattern forming means further includes a thin film provided between said first layer and said substrate to increase the reflection of said radiation by said first layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A photographic mask according to claim 3, wherein said thin film has a thickness selected such that the phase difference between a first reflected portion of the radiation at said second surface of said substrate and a second reflected portion of the radiation at said first layer is an even multiple of 1/2 wavelength of the radiation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A photographic mask according to claim 2, wherein said pattern forming means further includes a thin film provided between said second layer and said substrate to decrease the reflection of said radiation by said second layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A photographic mask according to claim 5, wherein said thin film has a thickness selected such that the phase difference between a first reflected portion of the radiation at said second surface of the substrate and a second reflected portion of the radiation at said second layer is an odd multiple of 1/2 wavelength of the radiation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A photographic mask according to claim 2, further comprising a protective layer provided on said pattern forming means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
138 words
An optical apparatus for projecting a pattern on a first plane onto a second plane, said pattern being formed on one surface of a transparent substrate, said apparatus comprising: Projection optical means arranged between said first plane and said second plane for forming an image of said pattern on said second plane; means for supporting said transparent substrate in such a manner that the other surface of said transparent substrate faces said projection optical means and said one surface coincides with said first plane; radiation means for producing a radiation beam; and light guide means for directing said radiation beam from between said first plane and said second plane toward said pattern through said the other surface and directing said radiation beam reflected by said pattern and passed through said the other surface toward said projection optical means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
138 words
An optical apparatus for projecting a pattern on a first plane onto a second plane, said pattern being formed on one surface of a transparent substrate, said apparatus comprising: Projection optical means arranged between said first plane and said second plane for forming an image of said pattern on said second plane; means for supporting said transparent substrate in such a manner that the other surface of said transparent substrate faces said projection optical means and said one surface coincides with said first plane; radiation means for producing a radiation beam; and light guide means for directing said radiation beam from between said first plane and said second plane toward said pattern through said the other surface and directing said radiation beam reflected by said pattern and passed through said the other surface toward said projection optical means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said light guide means includes beam splitter means arranged between said first plane and said projection optical means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said light guide means includes polarizing beam splitter means arranged between said first plane and said projection optical means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said light guide means further includes a polarizing plate arranged between said radiaiton means and said polarizing beams splitter means, and a 1/4 wavelength plate arranged between said first plane and said polarizing beam splitter means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-05-18 | 1990-11-17 | 1991-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-18 | 1994-11-17 | 1995-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-18 | 1998-11-17 | 1999-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |