US5439765A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photomask for semiconductor integrated circuit device
Assignee: NEC Electronics Corp
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Filing: 1994-08-17
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Granted: 1995-08-08
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Expires: 2014-08-17
Abstract
Abstract In making semiconductor patterns on a glass substrate by a light shielding substance such as chromium (Cr), the amount of necessary data and time to make the semiconductor patterns can be reduced. Patterns each having a size smaller in at least one direction than the resolution limit of an exposure device are previously arranged on the glass substrate at regular intervals smaller than the resolution limit and they are partially removed in accordance with the patterns for a semiconductor integrated circuit. Thus, a photomask can be provided for the semiconductor integrated circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Nozue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:29
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W40/00; H10W40/40; H10W40/43; G; G03; G03F; G03F1/00; G03F1/50; G03F7/00; G03F7/70; G03F7/70425; G03F7/70433
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of making a photomask for a semiconductor integrated circuit device, in which a circuit pattern to be transferred onto a wafer of a semiconductor integrated circuit is formed by a light shielding substance on a glass substrate, said method comprising the steps of: forming on said glass substrate a plurality of minute light shielding patterns, each of said plurality of patterns being a size which is smaller in at least one direction than a limit of a resolving power of an exposure device, said plurality of patterns being arranged at regular spaces on an entire surface of said glass substrate, said regular spaces being smaller than the limit of the resolving power of said exposure device, and said patterns being produced responsive basically to only one kind of data and said photomask being mass-produced in advance; and partially removing said minute light shielding patterns so that said circuitry pattern which is to be transferred onto the wafer is formed by remainders of the plurality of said minute light shielding patterns.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of making a photomask for a semiconductor integrated circuit device, in which a circuit pattern to be transferred onto a wafer of a semiconductor integrated circuit is formed by a light shielding substance on a glass substrate, said method comprising the steps of: forming on said glass substrate a plurality of minute light shielding patterns, each of said plurality of patterns being a size which is smaller in at least one direction than a limit of a resolving power of an exposure device, said plurality of patterns being arranged at regular spaces on an entire surface of said glass substrate, said regular spaces being smaller than the limit of the resolving power of said exposure device, and said patterns being produced responsive basically to only one kind of data and said photomask being mass-produced in advance; and partially removing said minute light shielding patterns so that said circuitry pattern which is to be transferred onto the wafer is formed by remainders of the plurality of said minute light shielding patterns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of making a photomask according to claim 1, wherein said light shielding substance forming said minute light shielding patterns is made from chromium (Cr).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method for making a photomask according to claim 1, wherein each of said minute light shielding patterns is formed in a square configuration and said minute light shielding patterns are arranged in a matrix form with an interval which is smaller than the limit of the resolving power of said exposure device, said interval being provided between adjacent minute light shielding patterns at each of four sides of said minute patterns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of making a photomask according to claim 1, wherein each of said minute light shielding patterns is formed in a stripe configuration having a width which is smaller than the limit of the resolving power of said exposure device and said minute light shielding patterns are arranged with an interval which is smaller than the limit of the resolving power of said exposure device, the interval being provided between adjacent light shielding patterns at longitudinal sides of the patterns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of making a photomask according to claim 1, wherein said minute light shielding patterns are partially removed by an electron beam exposure method.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-07 | 1999-02-06 | 1999-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-07 | 2003-02-06 | 2003-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-07 | 2007-02-06 | 2007-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |