US5543252A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for manufacturing exposure mask and the exposure mask
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
•
Filing: 1994-04-15
•
Granted: 1996-08-06
•
Expires: 2014-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A method for manufacturing an exposure mask provided with a substrate for transmitting an exposure light and with phase shifters arranged at prescribed intervals on the substrate for shifting the phase of the exposure light transmitted through the substrate by a half wavelength as compared with the phase of the exposure light transmitted through both the substrate and an opening between the phase shifters consists of the steps of preparing a solution containing a phase shifter material, arranging resist layers at the prescribed intervals on the substrate, immersing the substrate with the resist layers in the solution, forming the phase shifters on the substrate between the resist layers by a prescribed thickness by depositing the material of the phase shifter from the solution, and removing the resist layers from the substrate to form the openings.
Inventors
- 👤 Tsuyoshi Shibata
- 👤 Koji Hashimoto
- 👤 Katsuhiko Heida
- 👤 Kenji Kawano
- 👤 Shinichi Ito
- 👤 Keiji Horioka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:29
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F1/00; G03F1/26; G03F1/30; G03F1/29; G03F1/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask comprising the steps of: (a) forming a temporary film on a first of two opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate, said temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (b) forming an additional temporary film on the other of the two opposite surfaces of said transparent substrate, said additional temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (c) patterning the temporary film formed on the first surface of the transparent substrate in order to provide pattern openings in the temporary film; (d) after steps (a) and (c), immersing said transparent substrate in a solution in which silicon dioxide is dissolved; (e) then, initiating selective deposition of silicon dioxide on said first surface of said transparent substrate in said solution for depositing silicon dioxide within the pattern openings over the transparent substrate except for the portions of the two opposite surfaces coated with said temporary films; (f) finally, removing said temporary films to thereby leave a phase shifter formed from the deposition of silicon dioxide on the first surface of said transparent substrate; and wherein steps (d) and (e) are carried out under the condition where light of 560 nanometers or less, which is capable of exposing said temporary film, is blocked.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask comprising the steps of: (a) forming a temporary film on a first of two opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate, said temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (b) forming an additional temporary film on the other of the two opposite surfaces of said transparent substrate, said additional temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (c) patterning the temporary film formed on the first surface of the transparent substrate in order to provide pattern openings in the temporary film; (d) after steps (a) and (c), immersing said transparent substrate in a solution in which silicon dioxide is dissolved; (e) then, initiating selective deposition of silicon dioxide on said first surface of said transparent substrate in said solution for depositing silicon dioxide within the pattern openings over the transparent substrate except for the portions of the two opposite surfaces coated with said temporary films; (f) finally, removing said temporary films to thereby leave a phase shifter formed from the deposition of silicon dioxide on the first surface of said transparent substrate; and wherein steps (d) and (e) are carried out under the condition where light of 560 nanometers or less, which is capable of exposing said temporary film, is blocked.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein said temporary film formed on the first surface of said transparent substrate is made from a photoresist material, and wherein said additional temporary film formed on the other surface of said transparent substrate is made from hydrophobic organic materials.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the steps of: (g) forming a patterned shading film, having openings, on the first surface of said transparent substrate prior to step (a); (h) exposing said photoresist film to light in step (c), wherein said light passes from the other surface of the transparent substrate through said transparent substrate and through the openings of said patterned shading film to partially develop said photoresist film; and (i) removing the undeveloped portions of said photoresist film located over said patterned shading film in order to form the pattern openings through the photoresist film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask according to claim 1, wherein said temporary film formed on said first surface of said transparent substrate is a p-hydroxystyrene material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein said temporary film is made up of photoresist containing arthoazonaphthoquinone as the photosensitive material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein said temporary film is made up of photoresist containing arthodiazonaphthoquinone as the photosensitive material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein said temporary film is made up of a resist mainly containing polymethylmethacrylate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein in step (d), only one surface of said temporary film formed on said transparent substrate is soaked in the solution.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
217 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask comprising the steps of: (a) forming a patterned shading film, having openings, on a first of two opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate; (b) coating a photoresist film over said patterned shading film formed on the first surface of said transparent substrate, the photoresist film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (c) exposing said photoresist film to light which is passed from the other surface of the two opposite surfaces of the transparent substrate through said transparent substrate and the openings of said patterned shading film to partially develop said photoresist film; (d) after step (c), removing the undeveloped portion of said photoresist film located over said patterned shading film in order to form pattern openings through the photoresist film; (e) after step (d), immersing said transparent substrate in a solution in which silicon dioxide is dissolved; (f) then, initiating selective deposition of silicon dioxide on said patterned shading film within the pattern openings of the photoresist film to thereby form a phase shifter; (g) after step (f), removing the remaining developed portion of said photoresist film; and wherein steps (d) and (e) are carried out under the condition where light, which is capable of exposing said temporary film, is blocked.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
217 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask comprising the steps of: (a) forming a patterned shading film, having openings, on a first of two opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate; (b) coating a photoresist film over said patterned shading film formed on the first surface of said transparent substrate, the photoresist film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (c) exposing said photoresist film to light which is passed from the other surface of the two opposite surfaces of the transparent substrate through said transparent substrate and the openings of said patterned shading film to partially develop said photoresist film; (d) after step (c), removing the undeveloped portion of said photoresist film located over said patterned shading film in order to form pattern openings through the photoresist film; (e) after step (d), immersing said transparent substrate in a solution in which silicon dioxide is dissolved; (f) then, initiating selective deposition of silicon dioxide on said patterned shading film within the pattern openings of the photoresist film to thereby form a phase shifter; (g) after step (f), removing the remaining developed portion of said photoresist film; and wherein steps (d) and (e) are carried out under the condition where light, which is capable of exposing said temporary film, is blocked.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 9, wherein the periphery of said patterned shading film is partially removed after removal of the remaining developed portion of said photoresist film to provide phase shifting of light passing the periphery of said patterned shading film.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the steps of: (h) prior to step (c), forming a temporary film on the other surface of said transparent substrate, said temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not selectively deposit; and (i) removing said temporary film after step (g).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 11, wherein said temporary film formed on the other surface of said transparent substrate is made from hydrophobic organic materials.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 9, wherein said exposure of said photoresist film is terminated at a point in time such that the developed portion of said photoresist film remains separated from said shading film to form an exposed surface of said transparent substrate between said shading film and said photoresist film prior to the immersing step.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask according to claim 9, wherein said photoresist film comprises a p-hydroxystyrene material.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
215 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask comprising the steps of: (a) forming a temporary film on a first of two opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate, said temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (b) forming an additional temporary film on the other of the two opposite surfaces of said transparent substrate, said additional temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (c) patterning the temporary film formed on the first surface of the transparent substrate in order to provide pattern openings in the temporary film; (d) after steps (a) and (c), immersing said transparent substrate in a solution in which silicon dioxide is dissolved; (e) then, initiating selective deposition of silicon dioxide on said first surface of said transparent substrate in said solution for depositing silicon dioxide within the pattern openings over the transparent substrate except for the portions of the two opposite surfaces coated with said temporary films; (f) finally, removing said temporary films to thereby leave a phase shifter formed from the deposition of silicon dioxide on the first surface of said transparent substrate; and wherein said temporary film is a resist containing no OH radicals, COOH radicals, amine, amide, or imide.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
215 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask comprising the steps of: (a) forming a temporary film on a first of two opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate, said temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (b) forming an additional temporary film on the other of the two opposite surfaces of said transparent substrate, said additional temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (c) patterning the temporary film formed on the first surface of the transparent substrate in order to provide pattern openings in the temporary film; (d) after steps (a) and (c), immersing said transparent substrate in a solution in which silicon dioxide is dissolved; (e) then, initiating selective deposition of silicon dioxide on said first surface of said transparent substrate in said solution for depositing silicon dioxide within the pattern openings over the transparent substrate except for the portions of the two opposite surfaces coated with said temporary films; (f) finally, removing said temporary films to thereby leave a phase shifter formed from the deposition of silicon dioxide on the first surface of said transparent substrate; and wherein said temporary film is a resist containing no OH radicals, COOH radicals, amine, amide, or imide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 15, wherein said temporary film formed on the first surface of said transparent substrate is made from a photoresist material, and wherein said additional temporary film formed on the other surface of said transparent substrate is made from hydrophobic organic materials.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
105 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 16, further comprising the steps of: (g) forming a patterned shading film, having openings, on the first surface of said transparent substrate prior to step (a); (h) exposing said photoresist film to light in step (c), wherein said light passes from the other surface of the transparent substrate through said transparent substrate and through the openings of said patterned shading film to partially develop said photoresist film; and (i) removing the undeveloped portions of said photoresist film located over said patterned shading film in order to form the pattern openings through the photoresist film.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 15, wherein said temporary film is made up of photoresist containing arthoazonaphthoquinone as the photosensitive material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 15, wherein said temporary film is made up of photoresist containing arthodiazonaphthoquinone as the photosensitive material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 15, wherein said temporary film is a resist containing no OH radicals, COOH radicals, amine, amide, or imide.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 15, wherein said temporary film is made up of a resist mainly containing polymethylmethacrylate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 15, further including an additional step between step (c) and (d), wherein said temporary film is ashed in a plasma generated by a chemical dry etching with a main gas of F 2 , CF 4 , CF 4 /O 2 , NF 3 , SF 6 , C 2 F 6 and the like.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 15, wherein in steps (d) and (e), an area where said silicon dioxide is formed and another area where growth of said silicon dioxide is prevented are kept at different temperatures.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 15, wherein in step (d), only one surface of said temporary film formed on said transparent substrate is soaked in the solution.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
211 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask comprising the steps of: (a) forming a patterned shading film, having openings, on a first of two opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate; (b) coating a photoresist film over said patterned shading film formed on the first surface of said transparent substrate, the photoresist film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (c) exposing said photoresist film to light which is passed from the other surface of the two opposite surfaces of the transparent substrate through said transparent substrate and the openings of said patterned shading film to partially develop said photoresist film; (d) after step (c), removing the undeveloped portion of said photoresist film located over said patterned shading film in order to form pattern openings through the photoresist film; (e) after step (d), immersing said transparent substrate in a solution in which silicon dioxide is dissolved; (f) then, initiating selective deposition of silicon dioxide on said patterned shading film within the pattern openings of the photoresist film to thereby form a phase shifter; (g) after step (f), removing the remaining developed portion of said photoresist film; and wherein said temporary film is a resist containing no OH radicals, COOH radicals, amine, amide, or imide.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
211 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask comprising the steps of: (a) forming a patterned shading film, having openings, on a first of two opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate; (b) coating a photoresist film over said patterned shading film formed on the first surface of said transparent substrate, the photoresist film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (c) exposing said photoresist film to light which is passed from the other surface of the two opposite surfaces of the transparent substrate through said transparent substrate and the openings of said patterned shading film to partially develop said photoresist film; (d) after step (c), removing the undeveloped portion of said photoresist film located over said patterned shading film in order to form pattern openings through the photoresist film; (e) after step (d), immersing said transparent substrate in a solution in which silicon dioxide is dissolved; (f) then, initiating selective deposition of silicon dioxide on said patterned shading film within the pattern openings of the photoresist film to thereby form a phase shifter; (g) after step (f), removing the remaining developed portion of said photoresist film; and wherein said temporary film is a resist containing no OH radicals, COOH radicals, amine, amide, or imide.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 25, wherein the periphery of said patterned shading film is partially removed after removal of the remaining developed portion of said photoresist film to provide phase shifting of light passing the periphery of said patterned shading film.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 26, further comprising the steps of: (h) prior to step (c), forming a temporary film on the other surface of said transparent substrate, said temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not selectively deposit; and (i) removing said temporary film after step (g).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 27, wherein said temporary film formed on the other surface of said transparent substrate is made from hydrophobic organic materials.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 25, wherein said exposure of said photoresist film is terminated at a point in time such that the developed portion of said photoresist film remains separated from said shading film to form an exposed surface of said transparent substrate between said shading film and said photoresist film prior to the immersing step.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask according to claim 25, wherein said photoresist film comprises a p-hydroxystyrene material.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
251 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask comprising the steps of: (a) forming a temporary film on a first of two opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate, said temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (b) forming an additional temporary film on the other of the two opposite surfaces of said transparent substrate, said additional temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (c) patterning the temporary film formed on the first surface of the transparent substrate in order to provide pattern openings in the temporary film; (d) after steps (a) and (c), immersing said transparent substrate in a solution in which silicon dioxide is dissolved; (e) then, initiating selective deposition of silicon dioxide on said first surface of said transparent substrate in said solution for depositing silicon dioxide within the pattern openings over the transparent substrate except for the portions of the two opposite surfaces coated with said temporary films; (f) finally, removing said temporary films to thereby leave a phase shifter formed from the deposition of silicon dioxide on the first surface of said transparent substrate; and (g) an additional step between step (c) and (d), wherein said temporary film is ashed in a plasma generated by a chemical dry etching with a main gas of F 2 , CF 4 , CF 4 /O 2 , NF 3 , SF 6 , C 2 F 6 and the like.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
251 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask comprising the steps of: (a) forming a temporary film on a first of two opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate, said temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (b) forming an additional temporary film on the other of the two opposite surfaces of said transparent substrate, said additional temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (c) patterning the temporary film formed on the first surface of the transparent substrate in order to provide pattern openings in the temporary film; (d) after steps (a) and (c), immersing said transparent substrate in a solution in which silicon dioxide is dissolved; (e) then, initiating selective deposition of silicon dioxide on said first surface of said transparent substrate in said solution for depositing silicon dioxide within the pattern openings over the transparent substrate except for the portions of the two opposite surfaces coated with said temporary films; (f) finally, removing said temporary films to thereby leave a phase shifter formed from the deposition of silicon dioxide on the first surface of said transparent substrate; and (g) an additional step between step (c) and (d), wherein said temporary film is ashed in a plasma generated by a chemical dry etching with a main gas of F 2 , CF 4 , CF 4 /O 2 , NF 3 , SF 6 , C 2 F 6 and the like.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 31, wherein said temporary film formed on the first surface of said transparent substrate is made from a photoresist material, and wherein said additional temporary film formed on the other surface of said transparent substrate is made from hydrophobic organic materials.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
105 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 32, further comprising the steps of: (h) forming a patterned shading film, having openings, on the first surface of said transparent substrate prior to step (a); (i) exposing said photoresist film to light in step (c), wherein said light passes from the other surface of the transparent substrate through said transparent substrate and through the openings of said patterned shading film to partially develop said photoresist film; and (j) removing the undeveloped portions of said photoresist film located over said patterned shading film in order to form the pattern openings through the photoresist film.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask according to claim 31, wherein said temporary film formed on said first surface of said transparent substrate is a p-hydroxystyrene material.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 31, wherein said temporary film is made up of a resist mainly containing polymethylmethacrylate.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 31, wherein in steps (d) and (e), an area where said silicon dioxide is formed and another area where growth of said silicon dioxide is prevented are kept at different temperatures.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 31, wherein in step (d), only one surface of said temporary film formed on said transparent substrate is soaked in the solution.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
247 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask comprising the steps of: (a) forming a patterned shading film, having openings, on a first of two opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate; (b) coating a photoresist film over said patterned shading film formed on the first surface of said transparent substrate, the photoresist film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (c) exposing said photoresist film to light which is passed from the other surface of the two opposite surfaces of the transparent substrate through said transparent substrate and the openings of said patterned shading film to partially develop said photoresist film; (d) after step (c), removing the undeveloped portion of said photoresist film located over said patterned shading film in order to form pattern openings through the photoresist film; (e) after step (d), immersing said transparent substrate in a solution in which silicon dioxide is dissolved; (f) then, initiating selective deposition of silicon dioxide on said patterned shading film within the pattern openings of the photoresist film to thereby form a phase shifter; (g) after step (f), removing the remaining developed portion of said photoresist film; and (h) an additional step between step (c) and (d), wherein said temporary film is ashed in a plasma generated by a chemical dry etching with a main gas of F 2 , CF 4 , CF 4 /O 2 , NF 3 , SF 6 , C 2 F 6 and the like.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
247 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask comprising the steps of: (a) forming a patterned shading film, having openings, on a first of two opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate; (b) coating a photoresist film over said patterned shading film formed on the first surface of said transparent substrate, the photoresist film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (c) exposing said photoresist film to light which is passed from the other surface of the two opposite surfaces of the transparent substrate through said transparent substrate and the openings of said patterned shading film to partially develop said photoresist film; (d) after step (c), removing the undeveloped portion of said photoresist film located over said patterned shading film in order to form pattern openings through the photoresist film; (e) after step (d), immersing said transparent substrate in a solution in which silicon dioxide is dissolved; (f) then, initiating selective deposition of silicon dioxide on said patterned shading film within the pattern openings of the photoresist film to thereby form a phase shifter; (g) after step (f), removing the remaining developed portion of said photoresist film; and (h) an additional step between step (c) and (d), wherein said temporary film is ashed in a plasma generated by a chemical dry etching with a main gas of F 2 , CF 4 , CF 4 /O 2 , NF 3 , SF 6 , C 2 F 6 and the like.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 38, wherein the periphery of said patterned shading film is partially removed after removal of the remaining developed portion of said photoresist film to provide phase shifting of light passing the periphery of said patterned shading film.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 39, further comprising the steps of: (i) prior to step (c), forming a temporary film on the other surface of said transparent substrate, said temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not selectively deposit; and (j) removing said temporary film after step (g).
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 40, wherein said temporary film formed on the other surface of said transparent substrate is made from hydrophobic organic materials.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 38, wherein said exposure of said photoresist film is terminated at a point in time such that the developed portion of said photoresist film remains separated from said shading film to form an exposed surface of said transparent substrate between said shading film and said photoresist film prior to the immersing step.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask according to claim 38, wherein said photoresist film comprises a p-hydroxystyrene material.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
229 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask comprising the steps of: (a) forming a temporary film on a first of two opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate, said temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (b) forming an additional temporary film on the other of the two opposite surfaces of said transparent substrate, said additional temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (c) patterning the temporary film formed on the first surface of the transparent substrate in order to provide pattern openings in the temporary film; (d) after steps (a) and (c), immersing said transparent substrate in a solution in which silicon dioxide is dissolved; (e) then, initiating selective deposition of silicon dioxide on said first surface of said transparent substrate in said solution for depositing silicon dioxide within the pattern openings over the transparent substrate except for the portions of the two opposite surfaces coated with said temporary films; (f) finally, removing said temporary films to thereby leave a phase shifter formed from the deposition of silicon dioxide on the first surface of said transparent substrate; and (g) wherein in steps (d) and (e), an area where said silicon dioxide is formed and another area where growth of said silicon dioxide is prevented are kept at different temperatures.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
229 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask comprising the steps of: (a) forming a temporary film on a first of two opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate, said temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (b) forming an additional temporary film on the other of the two opposite surfaces of said transparent substrate, said additional temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (c) patterning the temporary film formed on the first surface of the transparent substrate in order to provide pattern openings in the temporary film; (d) after steps (a) and (c), immersing said transparent substrate in a solution in which silicon dioxide is dissolved; (e) then, initiating selective deposition of silicon dioxide on said first surface of said transparent substrate in said solution for depositing silicon dioxide within the pattern openings over the transparent substrate except for the portions of the two opposite surfaces coated with said temporary films; (f) finally, removing said temporary films to thereby leave a phase shifter formed from the deposition of silicon dioxide on the first surface of said transparent substrate; and (g) wherein in steps (d) and (e), an area where said silicon dioxide is formed and another area where growth of said silicon dioxide is prevented are kept at different temperatures.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 44, wherein said temporary film formed on the first surface of said transparent substrate is made from a photoresist material, and wherein said additional temporary film formed on the other surface of said transparent substrate is made from hydrophobic organic materials.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
105 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 45, further comprising the steps of: (g) forming a patterned shading film, having openings, on the first surface of said transparent substrate prior to step (a); (h) exposing said photoresist film to light in step (c), wherein said light passes from the other surface of the transparent substrate through said transparent substrate and through the openings of said patterned shading film to partially develop said photoresist film; and (i) removing the undeveloped portions of said photoresist film located over said patterned shading film in order to form the pattern openings through the photoresist film.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask according to claim 44, wherein said temporary film formed on said first surface of said transparent substrate is a p-hydroxystyrene material.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 44, wherein said temporary film is made up of a resist mainly containing polymethylmethacrylate.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 44, wherein in step (d), only one surface of said temporary film formed on said transparent substrate is soaked in the solution.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
224 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask comprising the steps of: (a) forming a patterned shading film, having openings, on a first of two opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate; (b) coating a photoresist film over said patterned shading film formed on the first surface of said transparent substrate, the photoresist film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (c) exposing said photoresist film to light which is passed from the other surface of the two opposite surfaces of the transparent substrate through said transparent substrate and the openings of said patterned shading film to partially develop said photoresist film; (d) after step (c), removing the undeveloped portion of said photoresist film located over said patterned shading film in order to form pattern openings through the photoresist film; (e) after step (d), immersing said transparent substrate in a solution in which silicon dioxide is dissolved; (f) then, initiating selective deposition of silicon dioxide on said patterned shading film within the pattern openings of the photoresist film to thereby form a phase shifter; (g) after step (f), removing the remaining developed portion of said photoresist film; and wherein in steps (d) and (e), an area where said silicon dioxide is formed and another area where growth of said silicon dioxide is prevented are kept at different temperatures.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
224 words
A method of manufacturing an exposure mask comprising the steps of: (a) forming a patterned shading film, having openings, on a first of two opposite surfaces of a transparent substrate; (b) coating a photoresist film over said patterned shading film formed on the first surface of said transparent substrate, the photoresist film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not deposit by selective deposition; (c) exposing said photoresist film to light which is passed from the other surface of the two opposite surfaces of the transparent substrate through said transparent substrate and the openings of said patterned shading film to partially develop said photoresist film; (d) after step (c), removing the undeveloped portion of said photoresist film located over said patterned shading film in order to form pattern openings through the photoresist film; (e) after step (d), immersing said transparent substrate in a solution in which silicon dioxide is dissolved; (f) then, initiating selective deposition of silicon dioxide on said patterned shading film within the pattern openings of the photoresist film to thereby form a phase shifter; (g) after step (f), removing the remaining developed portion of said photoresist film; and wherein in steps (d) and (e), an area where said silicon dioxide is formed and another area where growth of said silicon dioxide is prevented are kept at different temperatures.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 50, wherein the periphery of said patterned shading film is partially removed after removal of the remaining developed portion of said photoresist film to provide phase shifting of light passing the periphery of said patterned shading film.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 51, further comprising the steps of: (h) prior to step (c), forming a temporary film on the other surface of said transparent substrate, said temporary film being made from a material on which silicon dioxide does not selectively deposit; and (i) removing said temporary film after step (g).
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 52, wherein said temporary film formed on the other surface of said transparent substrate is made from hydrophobic organic materials.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask as claimed in claim 50, wherein said exposure of said photoresist film is terminated at a point in time such that the developed portion of said photoresist film remains separated from said shading film to form an exposed surface of said transparent substrate between said shading film and said photoresist film prior to the immersing step.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of manufacturing an exposure mask according to claim 50, wherein said photoresist film comprises a p-hydroxystyrene material.
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) | 1999-08-06 | 2000-02-05 | 2000-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-06 | 2004-02-05 | 2004-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-06 | 2008-02-05 | 2008-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |