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Patent US5670281A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5670281A
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US
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Masks and methods of forming masks which avoid phase conflict problems in phase shifting masks
Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
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Filing: 1996-06-17
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Granted: 1997-09-23
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Expires: 2016-06-17
Abstract
Abstract Masks and methods of forming the masks for avoiding phase conflict problems in phase shifting masks used to form a number of parallel line and space patterns on a semiconductor wafer using positive photoresist. The mask uses phase shifting material between alternating pairs of parallel opaque lines. Opaque fine tips formed as extensions to the opaque parallel lines on the mask prevent phase conflict from causing bridging at the ends of the lines. The methods of forming the masks use part of the transparent substrate or an added layer as the phase shifting material.
Inventors
- 👤 Chang-Ming Dai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 22:56
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F1/00; G03F1/26; G03F1/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A phase shifting mask, comprising: a transparent substrate; a number of parallel opaque patterns formed on said transparent substrate wherein each said opaque pattern comprises two parallel sides, a width equal to the distance between said two parallel sides, an end perpendicular to said two parallel sides, and a triangular region extending from said end wherein said triangular region has a base and a height and said base of said triangular region is formed by said end; a number of phase shifting patterns formed on said transparent substrate wherein each of said phase shifting patterns is adjacent to one of said opaque patterns; and a number of transparent patterns formed on said transparent substrate wherein each said transparent pattern is adjacent to one of said opaque patterns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A phase shifting mask, comprising: a transparent substrate; a number of parallel opaque patterns formed on said transparent substrate wherein each said opaque pattern comprises two parallel sides, a width equal to the distance between said two parallel sides, an end perpendicular to said two parallel sides, and a triangular region extending from said end wherein said triangular region has a base and a height and said base of said triangular region is formed by said end; a number of phase shifting patterns formed on said transparent substrate wherein each of said phase shifting patterns is adjacent to one of said opaque patterns; and a number of transparent patterns formed on said transparent substrate wherein each said transparent pattern is adjacent to one of said opaque patterns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The phase shifting mask of claim 1 wherein said transparent substrate is quartz.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The phase shifting mask of claim 1 wherein said opaque patterns are formed from chrome.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The phase shifting mask of claim 1 wherein said width is between about 0.5 and 2.5 microns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The phase shifting mask of claim 1 wherein said height divided by said width is between about 2 and 5.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The phase shifting mask of claim 1 wherein said phase shifting patterns are formed from spin on glass.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The phase shifting mask of claim 1 wherein said phase shifting patterns provide a phase shift of about 180° for light having a wavelength of about 365 nanometers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The phase shifting mask of claim 1 wherein said phase shifting patterns provide a phase shift of about 180° for light having a wavelength of about 248 nanometers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The phase shifting mask of claim 1 wherein said phase shifting patterns provide a phase shift of about 180° for light having a wavelength of about 193 nanometers.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
315 words
A method of forming a phase shifting mask, comprising the steps of: providing a transparent substrate; forming a layer of opaque material on said transparent substrate; forming a first layer of photoresist on said layer of opaque material; forming a first pattern in said first layer of photoresist; forming said first pattern in said layer of opaque material by means of etching using said first pattern in said first layer of photoresist as a mask thereby forming a number of opaque material first pattern elements wherein each said opaque material first pattern element comprises two parallel sides, a width equal to the distance between said two parallel sides, an end perpendicular to said two parallel sides, and a triangular region extending from said end wherein said triangular region has a base and a height and said base of said triangular region is formed by said end; removing said first pattern formed in said first layer of photoresist; forming a second layer of photoresist over said transparent substrate covering said first pattern formed in said layer of opaque material; forming a second pattern in said second layer of photoresist wherein said second pattern in said second layer of photoresist comprises a number of second pattern elements wherein each said second pattern element in said second layer of photoresist covers that part of said transparent substrate between two adjacent said opaque material first pattern elements and contacts said two adjacent said opaque material first pattern elements whereby each said opaque material first pattern element is contacted by only one said second pattern element in said second layer of photoresist; etching away a first depth of that part of said transparent substrate not covered by said first pattern formed in said layer of opaque material or said second pattern formed in said second layer of photoresist; and removing said second pattern formed in said second layer of photoresist.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
315 words
A method of forming a phase shifting mask, comprising the steps of: providing a transparent substrate; forming a layer of opaque material on said transparent substrate; forming a first layer of photoresist on said layer of opaque material; forming a first pattern in said first layer of photoresist; forming said first pattern in said layer of opaque material by means of etching using said first pattern in said first layer of photoresist as a mask thereby forming a number of opaque material first pattern elements wherein each said opaque material first pattern element comprises two parallel sides, a width equal to the distance between said two parallel sides, an end perpendicular to said two parallel sides, and a triangular region extending from said end wherein said triangular region has a base and a height and said base of said triangular region is formed by said end; removing said first pattern formed in said first layer of photoresist; forming a second layer of photoresist over said transparent substrate covering said first pattern formed in said layer of opaque material; forming a second pattern in said second layer of photoresist wherein said second pattern in said second layer of photoresist comprises a number of second pattern elements wherein each said second pattern element in said second layer of photoresist covers that part of said transparent substrate between two adjacent said opaque material first pattern elements and contacts said two adjacent said opaque material first pattern elements whereby each said opaque material first pattern element is contacted by only one said second pattern element in said second layer of photoresist; etching away a first depth of that part of said transparent substrate not covered by said first pattern formed in said layer of opaque material or said second pattern formed in said second layer of photoresist; and removing said second pattern formed in said second layer of photoresist.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said transparent substrate is quartz.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said opaque material is chrome.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said width is between about 0.5 and 2.5 microns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said height divided by said width is between about 2 and 5.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said first depth of said transparent substrate provides a phase shift of about 180° for light having a wavelength of about 365 nanometers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said first depth of said transparent substrate provides a phase shift of about 180° for light having a wavelength of about 248 nanometers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said first depth of said transparent substrate provides a phase shift of about 180° for light having a wavelength of about 193 nanometers.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
319 words
A method of forming a phase shifting mask, comprising the steps of: providing a transparent substrate; forming a layer of opaque material on said transparent substrate; forming a first layer of photoresist on said layer of opaque material; forming a first pattern in said first layer of photoresist; forming said first pattern in said layer of opaque material by means of etching using said first pattern in said first layer of photoresist as a mask thereby forming a number of opaque material first pattern elements wherein each said opaque material first pattern element comprises two parallel sides, a width equal to the distance between said two parallel sides, an end perpendicular to said two parallel sides, and a triangular region extending from said end wherein said triangular region has a base and a height and said base of said triangular region is formed by said end; removing said first pattern formed in said first layer of photoresist; forming a layer of phase shifting material over said transparent substrate covering said first pattern formed in said layer of opaque material; forming a second layer of photoresist over said layer of phase shifting material; forming a second pattern in said second layer of photoresist wherein said second pattern in said second layer of photoresist comprises a number of second pattern elements wherein each said second pattern element in said second layer of photoresist covers that part of said transparent substrate between two adjacent said opaque material first pattern elements and covers part of two adjacent said opaque material first pattern elements whereby said part of each said opaque material first pattern element is covered by only one said second pattern element in said second layer of photoresist; etching away that part Of said phase shifting material not covered by said second pattern formed in said second layer of photoresist; and removing said second pattern formed in said second layer of photoresist.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
319 words
A method of forming a phase shifting mask, comprising the steps of: providing a transparent substrate; forming a layer of opaque material on said transparent substrate; forming a first layer of photoresist on said layer of opaque material; forming a first pattern in said first layer of photoresist; forming said first pattern in said layer of opaque material by means of etching using said first pattern in said first layer of photoresist as a mask thereby forming a number of opaque material first pattern elements wherein each said opaque material first pattern element comprises two parallel sides, a width equal to the distance between said two parallel sides, an end perpendicular to said two parallel sides, and a triangular region extending from said end wherein said triangular region has a base and a height and said base of said triangular region is formed by said end; removing said first pattern formed in said first layer of photoresist; forming a layer of phase shifting material over said transparent substrate covering said first pattern formed in said layer of opaque material; forming a second layer of photoresist over said layer of phase shifting material; forming a second pattern in said second layer of photoresist wherein said second pattern in said second layer of photoresist comprises a number of second pattern elements wherein each said second pattern element in said second layer of photoresist covers that part of said transparent substrate between two adjacent said opaque material first pattern elements and covers part of two adjacent said opaque material first pattern elements whereby said part of each said opaque material first pattern element is covered by only one said second pattern element in said second layer of photoresist; etching away that part Of said phase shifting material not covered by said second pattern formed in said second layer of photoresist; and removing said second pattern formed in said second layer of photoresist.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said transparent substrate is quartz.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said opaque material is chrome.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said width is between about 0.5 and 2.5 microns.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said height divided by said width is between about 2 and 5.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said phase shifting material is spin on glass.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said phase shifting material is silicon dioxide.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said phase shifting material has a thickness which provides a phase shift of about 180° for light having a wavelength of about 365 nanometers.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said phase shifting material has a thickness which provides a phase shift of about 180° for light having a wavelength of about 248 nanometers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said phase shifting material has a thickness which provides a phase shift of about 180° for light having a wavelength of about 193 nanometers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5318868A
Cited
US5468578A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-09-22 | 2001-03-24 | 2001-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-03-24 | 2005-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-22 | 2009-03-24 | 2009-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |