Patent US5958656A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5958656A
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Pattern forming method using phase shift mask
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1996-12-16
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Granted: 1999-09-28
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Expires: 2016-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A prescribed region of a photoresist is subjected to first exposure, second exposure, and thereafter to development. Different phase shift masks are used at the time of the first exposure and the second exposure, respectively. Each phase shift mask has a light shielding film located between two light transmitting portions for respectively transmitting light with a phase difference of 180°. Thus, a pattern forming method using a phase shift mask, which allows formation of small hole patterns even with the exposure light being slightly defocused in the case of forming hole dense patterns such as those in a memory device, can be provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Shuji Nakao
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:24
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F1/00; G03F1/26; G03F7/00; G03F7/70; G03F7/70216; G03F7/70283; G03F7/20; G03F7/2022; G03F7/26; G03F7/70425; G03F7/70466
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A pattern forming method in which a prescribed region of a photoresist applied on a wafer is subjected to first exposure using a first phase shift mask and thereafter to second exposure using a second phase shift mask, wherein said first phase shift mask includes a substrate having first and second light transmitting portions extending in parallel in a first direction for respectively transmitting exposure light with a phase difference therebetween, and a light shielding film located between said first and second light transmitting portions extending in parallel, said second phase shift mask includes a substrate having third and fourth light transmitting portions extending in parallel in a second direction for respectively transmitting exposure light with a phase difference therebetween, and a light shielding film located between said third and fourth light transmitting portions extending in parallel, said first exposure and said second exposure are carried out such that said first direction of said first phase shift mask for use in said first exposure intersects said second direction of said second phase shift mask for use in said second exposure, said photoresist is a negative resist, and a hole pattern is formed, by development of said photoresist, in a region irradiated with exposure light such that said light shielding film of said first phase shift mask and said light shielding film of said second phase shift mask intersect each other at a surface of said photoresist.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
A pattern forming method in which a prescribed region of a photoresist applied on a wafer is subjected to first exposure using a first phase shift mask and thereafter to second exposure using a second phase shift mask, wherein said first phase shift mask includes a substrate having first and second light transmitting portions extending in parallel in a first direction for respectively transmitting exposure light with a phase difference therebetween, and a light shielding film located between said first and second light transmitting portions extending in parallel, said second phase shift mask includes a substrate having third and fourth light transmitting portions extending in parallel in a second direction for respectively transmitting exposure light with a phase difference therebetween, and a light shielding film located between said third and fourth light transmitting portions extending in parallel, said first exposure and said second exposure are carried out such that said first direction of said first phase shift mask for use in said first exposure intersects said second direction of said second phase shift mask for use in said second exposure, said photoresist is a negative resist, and a hole pattern is formed, by development of said photoresist, in a region irradiated with exposure light such that said light shielding film of said first phase shift mask and said light shielding film of said second phase shift mask intersect each other at a surface of said photoresist.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The pattern forming method using a phase shift mask as recited in claim 1, wherein exposure light for use in said first exposure and said second exposure is any one of a g-line, an i-line, KrF light and ArF light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The pattern forming method using a phase shift mask as recited in claim 1, wherein coherency σ of exposure light for use in said first exposure and said second exposure is in a range from 0.1 to 0.3.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The pattern forming method using a phase shift mask as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of carrying out third exposure after said second exposure, in which a periphery of a region where said first direction and said second direction intersect each other in said prescribed region of said photoresist is irradiated with exposure light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The pattern forming method using a phase shift mask as recited in claim 4, wherein numerical aperture NA for use in said third exposure is at least 0.50, and coherency σ of exposure light for use in said third exposure is at least 0.60.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 2002-09-27 | 2003-03-29 | 2003-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-27 | 2007-03-29 | 2007-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-27 | 2011-03-29 | 2011-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |