Exposure control for phase shifting photolithographic masks

Radiation imagery chemistry: process – composition – or product th – Imaging affecting physical property of radiation sensitive... – Making electrical device

Reexamination Certificate

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

C430S394000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07629109

ABSTRACT:
Mask and integrated circuit fabrication approaches are described to facilitate use of so called “full phase” masks. This facilitates use of masks where substantially all of a layout is defined using phase shifting. In one embodiment, the phase shifting mask and the trim mask are exposed using substantially the same exposure conditions. These approaches facilitate better exposure profiles for the resulting ICs and can thus improve chip yield and increase throughput by reducing the need to alter settings and/or switch reticles between exposures.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4037918 (1977-07-01), Kato et al.
patent: 4456371 (1984-06-01), Lin
patent: 5302477 (1994-04-01), Dao et al.
patent: 5308741 (1994-05-01), Kemp
patent: 5316878 (1994-05-01), Saito et al.
patent: 5324600 (1994-06-01), Jinbo et al.
patent: 5328807 (1994-07-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 5334542 (1994-08-01), Saito et al.
patent: 5352550 (1994-10-01), Okamoto et al.
patent: 5364716 (1994-11-01), Nakagawa et al.
patent: 5424154 (1995-06-01), Borodovsky
patent: 5472814 (1995-12-01), Lin
patent: 5480746 (1996-01-01), Jinbo et al.
patent: 5496666 (1996-03-01), Chu et al.
patent: 5498579 (1996-03-01), Borodovsky et al.
patent: 5503951 (1996-04-01), Flanders et al.
patent: 5523186 (1996-06-01), Lin et al.
patent: 5527645 (1996-06-01), Pati et al.
patent: 5532090 (1996-07-01), Borodovsky
patent: 5537648 (1996-07-01), Liebmann et al.
patent: 5538815 (1996-07-01), Oi et al.
patent: 5539568 (1996-07-01), Lin et al.
patent: 5565286 (1996-10-01), Lin
patent: 5573890 (1996-11-01), Spence
patent: 5595843 (1997-01-01), Dao
patent: 5620816 (1997-04-01), Dao
patent: 5635316 (1997-06-01), Dao
patent: 5636131 (1997-06-01), Liebmann et al.
patent: 5702848 (1997-12-01), Spence
patent: 5725969 (1998-03-01), Lee
patent: 5761075 (1998-06-01), Oi et al.
patent: 5766804 (1998-06-01), Spence
patent: 5766806 (1998-06-01), Spence
patent: 5807649 (1998-09-01), Liebmann et al.
patent: 5811211 (1998-09-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 5827623 (1998-10-01), Ishida et al.
patent: 5858580 (1999-01-01), Wang et al.
patent: 5885734 (1999-03-01), Pierrat et al.
patent: 5923562 (1999-07-01), Liebmann et al.
patent: 5923566 (1999-07-01), Galan et al.
patent: 6040892 (2000-03-01), Pierrat
patent: 6083275 (2000-07-01), Heng et al.
patent: 6130012 (2000-10-01), May et al.
patent: 6139994 (2000-10-01), Broeke et al.
patent: 6185727 (2001-02-01), Liebmann
patent: 6228539 (2001-05-01), Wang et al.
patent: 6251549 (2001-06-01), Levenson
patent: 6258493 (2001-07-01), Wang et al.
patent: 6335128 (2002-01-01), Cobb et al.
patent: 6338922 (2002-01-01), Liebmann et al.
patent: 6351304 (2002-02-01), Kawashima et al.
patent: 6391501 (2002-05-01), Ohnuma et al.
patent: 6420074 (2002-07-01), Wang et al.
patent: 6436590 (2002-08-01), Wang et al.
patent: 6518180 (2003-02-01), Fukuda et al.
patent: 6537867 (2003-03-01), Freyman et al.
patent: 6628372 (2003-09-01), McCullough et al.
patent: 6852471 (2005-02-01), Pierrat et al.
patent: 7422841 (2008-09-01), Pierrat et al.
patent: 2001/0000240 (2001-04-01), Wang et al.
patent: 2001/0028985 (2001-10-01), Wang et al.
patent: 2001/0036604 (2001-11-01), Kawashima
patent: 2002/0083410 (2002-06-01), Wu et al.
patent: 2002/0122994 (2002-09-01), Cote et al.
patent: 2002/0127479 (2002-09-01), Pierrat
patent: 2002/0129327 (2002-09-01), Pierrat et al.
patent: 2002/0136964 (2002-09-01), Pierrat
patent: 2002/0142231 (2002-10-01), Kling et al.
patent: 2002/0142232 (2002-10-01), Kling et al.
patent: 2002/0144232 (2002-10-01), Ma et al.
patent: 2002/0152454 (2002-10-01), Cote et al.
patent: 2002/0155363 (2002-10-01), Cote et al.
patent: 1 152 289 (2001-11-01), None
patent: 04-186244 (1992-07-01), None
patent: 5-275303 (1993-10-01), None
patent: 10326007 (1998-12-01), None
patent: 11212247 (1999-08-01), None
patent: 2000-258892 (2000-09-01), None
patent: 2000-349011 (2000-12-01), None
patent: 99/09456 (1999-02-01), None
patent: 0025181 (2000-05-01), None
Jinbo, H. et al., “0.2 um or Less Lithography by Phase-Shifting-Mask Technology”, 1990, IEEE, pp. 33.3.1-33.3.4 [see instant Parent U.S. Appl. No. 09/972,428 IDS Mar. 15, 2002].
Wong, Alexander S. et al., “Investigating Phase-Shifting Mask Layout Issues Using a CAD Toolkit”, 1991, IEEE, pp. 27.4.1-27.4.44 [see instant Parent U.S. Appl. No. 09/972,428 IDS Aug. 1, 2002].
Kikuchi, Kohji et al., “Method of Expanding Process Window for the Double Exposure Technique With alt-PSMs”, 2000, Proceedings of SPIE vol. 4000, pp. 121-131 [see instant 2ndCON, 2ndIDS Sep. 5, 2008 NPL 1 of 1].
K. Kikuchi “Method of Expanding Process Window for the Double Exposure Technique with Alt-PSMs” Folia Biologica Mar. 1, 2008, Processing of SPIE v. 4000 pp. 121-131.
Japanese Office Action dated Jun. 16, 2008 from a corresponding Japanese Application No. 2003-504165.
Japanese Office Action dated Jun. 30, 2008 from a corresponding Japanese Application No. 2003-504163.
Japanese Office Action dated Apr. 14, 2008 from corresponding Japanese App. No. 2003-504166.
Wong, Alfred K., “Polarization Effects in Mask Transmission,” Proc. of SPIE 1674, Mar. 8, 1992, 8 pages. cited by other.
Ackmann, Paul, et al., “Phase Shifting and Optical Proximity Corrections to improve CD control on Logic Devices in Manufacturing for sub 0.35 .mu.m I-Line,” Proc. of SPIE 3051-07, Mar. 1997, 8 pages. cited by other.
Spence, C., et al., “Detection of 60 degree Phase defects on Alternating PSMs,” Proc. of SPIE 3412-73, Apr. 1998, 2 pages. cited by other.
Sugawara, Minoru, et al., “Defect printability study of attenuated phase-shifting masks for specifying inspection sensitivity,” Proc. SPIE 2621-49, Sep. 1995, 16 pages. cited by other.
Schmidt, Regina, et al., “Impact of Coma on CD Control for Multiphase PSM Designs,” Proc. SPIE 3334-02, Feb. 1998, 11 pages. cited by other.
Erdmann, Andreas, “Topography effects and wave aberrations in advanced PSM-technology,” Proc. SPIE 4346-36, Mar. 1, 2001, 28 pages. cited by other.
Granik, Yuri et al., “CD variation analysis technique and its application to the study of PSM mask misalignment,” Proc. SPIE 4186-94, Sep. 2000, 9 pages. cited by other.
Ishiwata, Naoyuki, et al., “Fabrication of Phase-Shifting Mask,” Proc. SPIE 1463, Mar. 1991, 11 pages. cited by other.
Levenson, Marc D., et al., “Phase Phirst! An improved strong-PSM paradigm,” Proc. SPIE 4186-42, Sep. 2000, 10 pages. cited by other.
Levenson, Marc. D., et al., “SCAA mask exposures and Phase Phirst design for 110nm and below,” Proc. SPIE 4346-817, Sep. 2001, 10 pages. cited by other.
Morikawa, Yasutaka, et al., “100nm-Alt PSM structure discussion for ArF lithography,” Proc. SPIE 4409-22, Apr. 2001, 15 pages. cited by other.
Ozaki, T., et al., “A 0.15.mu.m KrF Lithography for 1Gb DRAM Product using Highly Printable Patterns and Thin Resist Process,” 1998 Symposium on VLSI Technology, Jun. 1998, Honolulu, Hawaii, 2 pages. cited by other.
Ronse, Kurt, et al., “Comparison of various phase shift strategies and application to 0.35 .mu.m ASIC designs,” Proc. SPIE 1927, 1993, 15 pages. cited by other.
Rosenbluth, Alan E., et al., “Optimum Mask and Source Patterns to Print a Given Shape,” Proc. SPIE 4346-49, Mar. 1, 2001, 17 pages. cited by other.
Suzuki, Akiyoshi, et al., “Multilevel imaging system realizing k1-0.3 lithography,” Proc. SPIE 3679-36, Mar. 1999, 13 pages. cited by other.
Vandenberghe, G., et al., “(Sub-) 100nm gate patterning using 248nm alternating PSM,” Mentor Graphics White Paper, May 2001, 9 pages. cited by other.
Fritze, M., et al., “100-nm Node Lithography With KrF?” Feb. 1, 2001, 14 pages. cited by other.
Fukuda, Hiroshi, et al., “Patterning of Random Interconnect Using Double Exposure of Strong-Type PSMs,” Proc. SPIE 4346-695, Sep. 2001, 8 pages. cited by other.
Ferguson, Richard A., et al., “Pattern-Dependent Correction of Mask

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for the USA inventors and patents. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Exposure control for phase shifting photolithographic masks does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Exposure control for phase shifting photolithographic masks, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Exposure control for phase shifting photolithographic masks will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-4142523

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.