Patent US5427876A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5427876A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacturing a photomask
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1993-04-19
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Granted: 1995-06-27
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Expires: 2013-04-19
Abstract
Abstract A mask pattern is transferred at a high resolution regardless of the configuration of a light shielding region. A plurality of light shielding members are disposed on a transparent substrate spaced from and parallel to each other. A main phase shifting film is formed in every other region between adjacent light shielding members on the transparent substrate in a direction along the arrangement of the light shielding members. At the periphery of the main phase shifting film, an auxiliary phase shifting film is disposed. Light through the main phase shifting film is 180 degrees out of phase from light through the transparent substrate while light through the auxiliary phase shifting film is 90 degrees out of phase from light through the transparent substrate. Due to the auxiliary phase shifting film, the intensity of transmitted light would not drop to zero at a border region between the main phase shifting film and the transparent substrate. Hence, the mask pattern is transferred at an enhanced transfer accuracy.
Inventors
- 👤 Junji Miyazaki
- 👤 Hitoshi Nagata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:40
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F1/00; G03F1/26; G03F1/30; G03F1/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
A photomask comprising: a transparent substrate; a light shielding region formed on a top major surface of said transparent substrate; a main phase shifting region formed on said top major surface of said transparent substrate and on one side of said light shielding region; and an auxiliary phase shifting region formed on said top major surface of said transparent substrate along the periphery of said main phase shifting region, wherein said main phase shifting region is disposed on said top major surface in such a manner that light through said main phase shifting region is out of phase from light through said top major surface and cancel each other by interference therebetween, and said auxiliary phase shifting region is disposed in such a relation to said top major surface and said main phase shifting region that a phase difference between light through said top major surface and light through said auxiliary phase shifting region and a phase difference between light through said auxiliary phase shifting region and light through said main phase shifting region are each smaller than the phase difference between light through said top major surface and light through said main phase shifting region, wherein the phase difference between light through said top major surface and light through said main phase shifting region is 180 degrees and the phase differences between light through said top major surface and light through said auxiliary phase shifting region and between light through said auxiliary phase shifting region and light through said main phase shifting region are each 90 degrees.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
258 words
A photomask comprising: a transparent substrate; a light shielding region formed on a top major surface of said transparent substrate; a main phase shifting region formed on said top major surface of said transparent substrate and on one side of said light shielding region; and an auxiliary phase shifting region formed on said top major surface of said transparent substrate along the periphery of said main phase shifting region, wherein said main phase shifting region is disposed on said top major surface in such a manner that light through said main phase shifting region is out of phase from light through said top major surface and cancel each other by interference therebetween, and said auxiliary phase shifting region is disposed in such a relation to said top major surface and said main phase shifting region that a phase difference between light through said top major surface and light through said auxiliary phase shifting region and a phase difference between light through said auxiliary phase shifting region and light through said main phase shifting region are each smaller than the phase difference between light through said top major surface and light through said main phase shifting region, wherein the phase difference between light through said top major surface and light through said main phase shifting region is 180 degrees and the phase differences between light through said top major surface and light through said auxiliary phase shifting region and between light through said auxiliary phase shifting region and light through said main phase shifting region are each 90 degrees.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The photomask of claim 1, wherein said light shielding region includes a plurality of light shielding regions which are arranged parallel to each other, and said one side of said light shielding region on which said main phase shifting region is formed includes outer side of outermost one of said plurality of said light shielding regions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The photomask of claim 1, wherein said main phase shifting region includes a relatively deep first groove and said auxiliary phase shifting region includes a relatively shallow second groove which is shallower than said first groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The photomask of claim 1, wherein said main phase shifting region includes a relatively thick first phase shifting film and said auxiliary phase shifting region includes a relatively thin second phase shifting film which is thinner than said first phase shifting film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The photomask of claim 4, wherein at a border between said first and said second phase shifting films, edges of said first and said second phase shifting films are not aligned to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The photomask of claim 4, wherein at a border between said first and said second phase shifting films, edges of said first and said second phase shifting films are aligned to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photomask of claim 4, wherein said first phase shifting film includes a film made of an inorganic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photomask of claim 7, wherein said second phase shifting film includes a film made of an inorganic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photomask of claim 8, wherein said first and said second phase shifting films are made of different materials.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photomask of claim 7, wherein said second phase shifting film includes a film made of an organic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photomask of claim 4, wherein said first phase shifting film includes a film made of an organic material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photomask of claim 11, wherein said second phase shifting film includes a film made of an organic material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photomask of claim 12, wherein said first and said second phase shifting films are made of different materials.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photomask of claim 11, wherein said second phase shifting film includes a film made of an inorganic material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
72 words
The photomask of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary phase shifting region is formed by a plurality of auxiliary phase shifting parts which are disposed to encircle said main phase shifting region one farther than the other, and a phase difference between an outer auxiliary phase shifting part and said main phase shifting film is smaller than a phase difference between an inner auxiliary phase shifting part and said main phase shifting film.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
The photomask of claim 15, wherein said light shielding region includes a plurality of light shielding regions which are arranged parallel to each other, and said one side of said light shielding region on which said main phase shifting region is formed includes outer side of outermost one of said plurality of said light shielding regions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The photomask of claim 15, wherein said plurality of said auxiliary phase shifting parts include a plurality of grooves which are formed on said transparent substrate to encircle said main phase shifting region one farther than the other, and an outer groove is shallower than an inner groove.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
68 words
The photomask of claim 15, wherein said plurality of said auxiliary phase shifting parts include a first and a second auxiliary phase shifting parts, and light through said first auxiliary phase shifting part is +120 degrees out of phase from light through said top major surface while light through said second auxiliary phase shifting part is +60 degrees out of phase from light through said top major surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
90 words
The photomask of claim 15, wherein said main phase shifting region includes a relatively thick first phase shifting film and said auxiliary phase shifting parts include a plurality of relatively thin second phase shifting films which are thinner than said first phase shifting film, said plurality of said second phase shifting films are formed on said transparent substrate to encircle said main phase shifting region one farther than the other, and outer one of said second phase shifting films is thinner than inner one of said second phase shifting films.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photomask of claim 19, wherein said first phase shifting film includes a film made of an inorganic material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The photomask of claim 20, wherein said second phase shifting films include films made of an inorganic material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photomask of claim 21, wherein said first and said second phase shifting films are made of different materials.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The photomask of claim 22, wherein said second phase shifting films are made of different materials.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The photomask of claim 20, wherein said second phase shifting films include films made of an organic material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The photomask of claim 24, wherein said second phase shifting films are made of different materials.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photomask of claim 19, wherein said first phase shifting film includes a film made of an organic material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The photomask of claim 26, wherein said second phase shifting films include films made of an organic material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photomask of claim 27, wherein said first and said second phase shifting films are made of different materials.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The photomask of claim 28, wherein said second phase shifting films are made of different materials.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photomask of claim 26, wherein said second phase shifting film includes a film made of an inorganic material.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The photomask of claim 30, wherein said second phase shifting films are made of different materials.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
267 words
A method of manufacturing a photomask, comprising the steps of: preparing a transparent substrate having a light shielding region on its top major surface; forming an auxiliary phase shifting region on said top major surface of said transparent substrate on one side of said light shielding region and in space from said light shielding region; and forming a main phase shifting region on said top major surface of said transparent substrate between said light shielding region and said auxiliary phase shifting region, said method being characterized in that: said main phase shifting region is disposed on said top major surface in such a manner that light through said main phase shifting region is out of phase from light through said top major surface and cancel each other by interference therebetween; and said auxiliary phase shifting region is disposed in such a relation to said top major surface and said main phase shifting region that a phase difference between light through said top major surface and light through said auxiliary phase shifting region and a phase difference between light through said auxiliary phase shifting region and light through said main phase shifting region are each smaller than the phase difference between light through said top major surface and light through said main phase shifting region, wherein said step of forming said auxiliary phase shifting region includes the step of forming a relatively thin first phase shifting film and said step of forming said main phase shifting region includes the step of forming a relatively thick second phase shifting film which is thicker than said first phase shifting film.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
267 words
A method of manufacturing a photomask, comprising the steps of: preparing a transparent substrate having a light shielding region on its top major surface; forming an auxiliary phase shifting region on said top major surface of said transparent substrate on one side of said light shielding region and in space from said light shielding region; and forming a main phase shifting region on said top major surface of said transparent substrate between said light shielding region and said auxiliary phase shifting region, said method being characterized in that: said main phase shifting region is disposed on said top major surface in such a manner that light through said main phase shifting region is out of phase from light through said top major surface and cancel each other by interference therebetween; and said auxiliary phase shifting region is disposed in such a relation to said top major surface and said main phase shifting region that a phase difference between light through said top major surface and light through said auxiliary phase shifting region and a phase difference between light through said auxiliary phase shifting region and light through said main phase shifting region are each smaller than the phase difference between light through said top major surface and light through said main phase shifting region, wherein said step of forming said auxiliary phase shifting region includes the step of forming a relatively thin first phase shifting film and said step of forming said main phase shifting region includes the step of forming a relatively thick second phase shifting film which is thicker than said first phase shifting film.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 32, wherein said step of forming said second phase shifting film includes the step of forming said second phase shifting film such that edges of said first and said second phase shifting films are not aligned to each other at a border between said first and said second phase shifting films.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 32, wherein said step of forming said second phase shifting film includes the step of forming said second phase shifting film such that edges of said first and said second phase shifting films are aligned to each other at a border between said first and said second phase shifting films.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 32, wherein said light shielding region includes a plurality of light shielding regions which are arranged parallel to each other, and said one side of said light shielding region on which said main phase shifting region is formed during formation of said second phase shifting film includes outer side of outermost one of said plurality of said light shielding regions.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 35, wherein said first and said second phase shifting films are made of different materials.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
179 words
The method of claim 32, wherein said step of forming said auxiliary phase shifting region includes the step of forming a relatively shallow first groove, said step of forming said main phase shifting region includes the step of forming a relatively deep second groove which is deeper than said first groove, said step of forming said first groove includes the steps of: forming a first resist film in an exposed region of said transparent substrate where said light shielding region is not provided so that said first resist film is formed in at least said exposed region of said transparent substrate where said first and said second grooves are not formed; and etching said transparent substrate through said first resist film by a predetermined depth which said first groove must have, said step of forming said second grooves includes the steps of: forming a second resist film at least on said first groove without processing said first resist film; and etching said transparent substrate through said second resist film by a predetermined depth which said second grooves must have.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
188 words
A photomask comprising: a transparent substrate having a top major surface which allows light to pass through; light shielding regions formed on the top major surface of the transparent substrate; a main phase shifting region formed on the top major surface between adjacent light shielding regions, wherein light passes through the main phase shifting region and is phase shifted by 180 degrees with respect to the light which passes through the transparent substrate; and an auxiliary phase shifting region formed at an entire periphery of the main phase shifting region where the main phase shifting region is not in contact with the light shielding regions, the auxiliary phase shifting region formed only on the top major surface and not formed on the main phase shifting surface and the light shielding regions, wherein a phase difference between light which passes through the auxiliary phase shifting region and the transparent substrate and a phase difference between light which passes through the main phase shifting regions and the auxiliary region are both smaller than a phase difference between light which passes through the main phase shifting regions and the transparent substrate.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
188 words
A photomask comprising: a transparent substrate having a top major surface which allows light to pass through; light shielding regions formed on the top major surface of the transparent substrate; a main phase shifting region formed on the top major surface between adjacent light shielding regions, wherein light passes through the main phase shifting region and is phase shifted by 180 degrees with respect to the light which passes through the transparent substrate; and an auxiliary phase shifting region formed at an entire periphery of the main phase shifting region where the main phase shifting region is not in contact with the light shielding regions, the auxiliary phase shifting region formed only on the top major surface and not formed on the main phase shifting surface and the light shielding regions, wherein a phase difference between light which passes through the auxiliary phase shifting region and the transparent substrate and a phase difference between light which passes through the main phase shifting regions and the auxiliary region are both smaller than a phase difference between light which passes through the main phase shifting regions and the transparent substrate.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-06-26 | 1998-12-26 | 1999-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-06-26 | 2002-12-26 | 2003-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-06-26 | 2006-12-26 | 2007-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |