Patent US6007324A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6007324A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Double layer method for fabricating a rim type attenuating phase shifting mask
Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co TSMC Ltd
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Filing: 1998-10-05
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Granted: 1999-12-28
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Expires: 2018-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A method of forming a rim type attenuating phase shifting mask which requires only one resist layer and developing the resist using a single developing solution. A transparent mask substrate has a layer of attenuating phase shifting material, a layer of opaque material, and a layer of resist material formed thereon. The layer of resist is exposed to a first pattern using a first exposure dose and a second pattern using a smaller second exposure dose. The resist is developed for a first time forming the first pattern in the entire layer of resist and the second pattern in the top portion of the layer of resist. The first pattern is then etched in the layer of opaque material using the first pattern in the layer of resist as a mask. In one embodiment the first pattern is then etched in the layer of attenuating phase shifting material, the resist is partially etched using an O 2 plasma etch leaving the second pattern in the lower part of the resist, the second pattern is etched in the layer of opaque material, and the resist is stripped. In a second embodiment the layer of resist is developed for a second time in the same solution forming the second pattern in the entire resist layer, the first pattern is etched in the layer of attenuating phase shifting material, the second pattern is etched in the layer of opaque material, and the resist is stripped.
Inventors
- 👤 San-De Tzu
- 👤 Shy-Jay Lin
- 👤 Ching-Chia Lin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:35
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F1/00; G03F1/26; G03F1/29; G03F7/00; G03F7/20; G03F7/2022; G03F7/203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
356 words
A method of forming a photomask, comprising the steps of: providing a transparent mask substrate having a layer of attenuating phase shifting material formed on said transparent mask substrate and a layer of opaque material formed on said layer of attenuating phase shifting material; forming a layer of resist material having a top portion and a bottom portion on said layer of opaque material; exposing a first pattern in said top portion and said bottom portion of said layer of resist material with a first exposure dosage; exposing a second pattern in said top portion of said layer of resist material with a second exposure dosage, wherein said first pattern lies within said second pattern and said first exposure dosage is greater than said second exposure dosage; developing said layer of resist material, after exposing said first pattern in said top portion and said bottom portion of said layer of resist material and exposing said second pattern in said top portion of said layer of resist material, thereby forming said second pattern in said top portion of said layer of resist material and said first pattern in said bottom portion of said layer of resist material; etching said first pattern into said layer of opaque material using a first etching method and said first pattern formed in said bottom portion of said layer of resist material as a mask; etching said first pattern into said layer of attenuating phase shifting material using a second etching method and said first pattern formed in said bottom portion of said layer of resist material as a mask; partially etching away said layer of resist material using a third etching method, thereby forming said second pattern in the remaining part of said layer of resist material; etching said second pattern in said layer of opaque material, using a fourth etching method and said second pattern formed in said remaining part of said layer of resist material as a mask, after partially etching away said layer of resist material; and removing said remaining part of said layer of resist material after etching said second pattern in said layer of opaque material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
356 words
A method of forming a photomask, comprising the steps of: providing a transparent mask substrate having a layer of attenuating phase shifting material formed on said transparent mask substrate and a layer of opaque material formed on said layer of attenuating phase shifting material; forming a layer of resist material having a top portion and a bottom portion on said layer of opaque material; exposing a first pattern in said top portion and said bottom portion of said layer of resist material with a first exposure dosage; exposing a second pattern in said top portion of said layer of resist material with a second exposure dosage, wherein said first pattern lies within said second pattern and said first exposure dosage is greater than said second exposure dosage; developing said layer of resist material, after exposing said first pattern in said top portion and said bottom portion of said layer of resist material and exposing said second pattern in said top portion of said layer of resist material, thereby forming said second pattern in said top portion of said layer of resist material and said first pattern in said bottom portion of said layer of resist material; etching said first pattern into said layer of opaque material using a first etching method and said first pattern formed in said bottom portion of said layer of resist material as a mask; etching said first pattern into said layer of attenuating phase shifting material using a second etching method and said first pattern formed in said bottom portion of said layer of resist material as a mask; partially etching away said layer of resist material using a third etching method, thereby forming said second pattern in the remaining part of said layer of resist material; etching said second pattern in said layer of opaque material, using a fourth etching method and said second pattern formed in said remaining part of said layer of resist material as a mask, after partially etching away said layer of resist material; and removing said remaining part of said layer of resist material after etching said second pattern in said layer of opaque material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said layer of resist material has a thickness of between about 4000 and 6000 Angstroms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said layer of attenuating phase shifting material is a layer of MoSiON having a thickness of between about 1000 and 1360 nanometers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said layer of opaque material is a layer of chrome having a thickness of between about 80 and 120 nanometers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said exposing a first pattern in said top portion and said bottom portion of said layer of resist material and said partially exposing a second pattern in said top portion of said layer of resist material uses an electron beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said exposing a first pattern in said top portion and said bottom portion of said layer of resist material and said partially exposing a second pattern in said top portion of said layer of resist material uses a LASER beam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said developing said layer of resist material after exposing said first pattern and partially exposing said second pattern in said layer of resist material uses a single developing step and a single developing solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first etching method uses wet isotropic etching.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said second etching method uses dry anisotropic etching.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said third etching method uses O 2 plasma dry anisotropic etching.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fourth etching method uses dry anisotropic etching or wet etching.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said phase shift provided by said attenuating phase shifting material is 180° or an odd multiple of 180° for light having said characteristic wave length.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
288 words
A method of forming a photomask, comprising the steps of: providing a transparent mask substrate having a layer of attenuating phase shifting material formed on said transparent mask substrate and a layer of opaque material formed on said layer of attenuating phase shifting material; forming a layer of resist material having a top portion and a bottom portion on said layer of opaque material; exposing a first pattern in said layer of resist material with a first exposure dosage; exposing a second pattern in said layer of resist material with a second exposure dosage, wherein said first exposure dosage is greater than said second exposure dosage and said first pattern lies within said second pattern; developing said layer of resist material for a first time in a first developing solution, thereby forming said second pattern in said top portion of said layer of resist material and said first pattern in said bottom portion of said layer of resist material; etching said first pattern into said layer of opaque material using a first etching method and said first pattern formed in said bottom portion of said layer of resist material as a mask; redeveloping said layer of resist material for a second time in said first developing solution, thereby forming said second pattern in said bottom portion of said layer of resist material; etching said first pattern into said layer of phase shifting material using a second etching method and said first pattern formed in said layer of opaque material as a mask; etching said second pattern in said layer of opaque material, using a third etching method and said second pattern formed in said layer of resist material as a mask; and removing said layer of resist material.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
288 words
A method of forming a photomask, comprising the steps of: providing a transparent mask substrate having a layer of attenuating phase shifting material formed on said transparent mask substrate and a layer of opaque material formed on said layer of attenuating phase shifting material; forming a layer of resist material having a top portion and a bottom portion on said layer of opaque material; exposing a first pattern in said layer of resist material with a first exposure dosage; exposing a second pattern in said layer of resist material with a second exposure dosage, wherein said first exposure dosage is greater than said second exposure dosage and said first pattern lies within said second pattern; developing said layer of resist material for a first time in a first developing solution, thereby forming said second pattern in said top portion of said layer of resist material and said first pattern in said bottom portion of said layer of resist material; etching said first pattern into said layer of opaque material using a first etching method and said first pattern formed in said bottom portion of said layer of resist material as a mask; redeveloping said layer of resist material for a second time in said first developing solution, thereby forming said second pattern in said bottom portion of said layer of resist material; etching said first pattern into said layer of phase shifting material using a second etching method and said first pattern formed in said layer of opaque material as a mask; etching said second pattern in said layer of opaque material, using a third etching method and said second pattern formed in said layer of resist material as a mask; and removing said layer of resist material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said layer of resist material has a thickness of between about 3000 and 5000 Angstroms.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said layer of attenuating phase shifting material is a layer of MoSiON having a thickness of between about 1000 and 1360 nanometers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the phase shift provided by said attenuating phase shifting material is 180° or an odd multiple of 180°.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said layer of opaque material is a layer of chrome having a thickness of between about 80 and 120 nanometers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said exposing a first pattern in said layer of resist material with a first exposure dosage and said exposing said second pattern in said layer of resist material with a second exposure dosage uses an electron beam.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said exposing a first pattern in said layer of resist material with a first exposure dosage and said exposing said second pattern in said layer of resist material with a second exposure dosage uses a LASER beam.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said first etching method uses wet isotropic etching.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said second etching method uses dry anisotropic etching.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said third etching method uses dry anisotropic etching or wet etching.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-27 | 2003-06-28 | 2003-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-27 | 2007-06-28 | 2007-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-27 | 2011-06-28 | 2011-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |