US6333129B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of fabricating phase shift mask
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
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Filing: 1999-04-21
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Granted: 2001-12-25
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Expires: 2019-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A method of fabricating a phase shift mask is provided in which light shield film patterns for setting a phase shift region and a phase non-shift region are simultaneously formed on a substrate. A groove is formed in the substrate set as the phase shift region. The light shield film pattern, which contacts the groove and is formed on a region of the substrate set as the phase non-shift region, is removed. A phase shift layer can be formed between the substrate and the light shield film pattern. In this case, regions set by the light shield film pattern become opposite to when the phase shift layer is not formed. That is, a phase shift region is changed into a phase non-shift region, and the phase non-shift region is changed into the phase shift region. As described above, the phase shift region and the phase non-shift region are simultaneously set when the light shield film pattern is formed, thus preventing the position of the phase shift or non-shift region from being shifted due to sequential formation of the phase shift and non-shift regions.
Inventors
- 👤 Yong-Hoon Kim
- 👤 Jin-Hong Park
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:03
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F1/00; G03F1/26; G03F1/29; H; H10; H10P; H10P76/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of fabricating a phase shift mask, comprising: forming a light shield film on a substrate; patterning the light shield film to expose first and second regions of the substrate, the first region of the substrate corresponding to a phase shift region and the second region of the substrate corresponding to a part of a phase non-shift region, the patterned light shield film remaining on a further part of the phase non-shift region between the first and second regions of the substrate; forming a groove in the first region of the substrate; and removing the patterned light shield film existing on the substrate between the first and second regions of the substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of fabricating a phase shift mask, comprising: forming a light shield film on a substrate; patterning the light shield film to expose first and second regions of the substrate, the first region of the substrate corresponding to a phase shift region and the second region of the substrate corresponding to a part of a phase non-shift region, the patterned light shield film remaining on a further part of the phase non-shift region between the first and second regions of the substrate; forming a groove in the first region of the substrate; and removing the patterned light shield film existing on the substrate between the first and second regions of the substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
110 words
The method of fabricating a phase shift mask as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the forming of a groove comprises: coating a photosensitive film on an entire surface of the patterned light shield film and on the first and second regions of the substrate; forming a photosensitive film pattern exposing only the first region of the substrate and portions of the patterned light shield film in immediate contact with the first region of the substrate, by patterning the photosensitive film; forming a groove in the substrate at the first region of the substrate, by using the photosensitive film pattern as an etch mask; and removing the photosensitive film pattern.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
130 words
The method of fabricating a phase shift mask as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the removing of the patterned light shield film comprises: coating a photosensitive film on an entire surface of the patterned light shield film, in the groove and in the second region of the substrate; p 1 forming a photosensitive film pattern exposing only the groove, the patterned light shield film formed on the substrate between the groove and the second region of the substrate, and a portion of the second region of the substrate, by patterning the photosensitive film; etching out the patterned light shield film formed on the substrate between the groove and the second region of the substrate, using the photosensitive film pattern as an etch mask; and removing the photosensitive film pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of fabricating a phase shift mask as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first region of the substrate is wider than the second region of the substrate.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of fabricating a phase shift mask, comprising: sequentially forming a phase shift layer and a light shield film on a substrate; forming a first window and second windows in the light shield film to respectively expose a first region and second regions of the phase shift layer, by patterning the light shield film; exposing the substrate only in the first window by removing the first region of the phase shift layer; and removing all of the light shield film pattern formed on the phase shift layer only between the exposed substrate and the second windows.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of fabricating a phase shift mask, comprising: sequentially forming a phase shift layer and a light shield film on a substrate; forming a first window and second windows in the light shield film to respectively expose a first region and second regions of the phase shift layer, by patterning the light shield film; exposing the substrate only in the first window by removing the first region of the phase shift layer; and removing all of the light shield film pattern formed on the phase shift layer only between the exposed substrate and the second windows.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
The method of fabricating a phase shift mask as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the exposing of the substrate comprises: coating a photosensitive film on an entire surface of the light shield film pattern and in the first and second windows; forming a photosensitive film pattern exposing the first window and portions of the light shield film pattern immediately adjacent to the first window, by patterning the photosensitive film; etching out the first region of the phase shift layer in the first window using the photosensitive film pattern as an etch mask to expose the substrate; and removing the photosensitive film pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of fabricating a phase shift mask as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the first window is wider than the second windows.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of fabricating a phase shift mask as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the exposed substrate is a phase non-shift region, and regions between the exposed substrate and the second regions are phase shift regions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
123 words
The method of fabricating a phase shift mask as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the removing the light shield film comprises: coating a photosensitive film on an entire surface of the light shield film pattern, on the exposed substrate, and in the second windows; forming a photosensitive film pattern exposing only the exposed substrate, the light shield film pattern which is formed on the phase shift layer between the second windows and the exposed substrate, and portions of the second windows, by patterning the photosensitive film; wet-etching the light shield film pattern formed on the phase shift layer between the second windows and the exposed substrate, by using the photosensitive film pattern as an etch mask; and removing the photosensitive film pattern.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of fabricating a phase shift mask as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the first window and the second windows of the light shield film pattern respectively comprise an inner window and outer windows.
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) | 2004-12-24 | 2005-06-25 | 2005-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-24 | 2009-06-25 | 2009-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-24 | 2013-06-25 | 2013-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |