Abstract: An electron beam lithography system and an electron beam lithography process are disclosed herein for improving throughput. An exemplary method for increasing throughput achieved by an electron beam lithography system includes receiving an integrated circuit (IC) design layout that includes a target pattern, wherein the electron beam lithography system implements a first exposure dose to form the target pattern on a workpiece based on the IC design layout. The method further includes inserting a dummy pattern into the IC design layout to increase a pattern density of the IC design layout to greater than or equal to a threshold pattern density, thereby generating a modified IC design layout. The electron beam lithography system implements a second exposure dose that is less than the first exposure dose to form the target pattern on the workpiece based on the modified IC design layout.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a photolithography tool. The photolithography tool includes a source configured to generate electromagnetic radiation. A dynamic focal system is configured to provide the electromagnetic radiation to a plurality of different vertical positions over a substrate stage. The plurality of different vertical positions include a first position having a first depth of focus and a second position having a second depth of focus that is below the first depth of focus and that vertically overlaps the first depth of focus.

Abstract: Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask blanks, methods for their manufacture and production systems therefor are disclosed. The EUV mask blanks comprise a substrate; a multilayer stack of reflective layers on the substrate; a capping layer on the multilayer stack of reflecting layers; and an absorber layer on the capping layer, the absorber layer comprising an alloy selected from an alloy of ruthenium (Ru) and silicon (Si); an alloy tantalum (Ta) and platinum (Pt); and an alloy of ruthenium (Ru) and molybdenum (Mo).

Abstract: A reflective mask includes a substrate, a reflective multilayer disposed over the substrate, a capping layer disposed over the reflective multilayer, an intermediate layer disposed over the capping layer, an absorber layer disposed over the intermediate layer, and a cover layer disposed over the absorber layer. The intermediate layer includes a material having a lower hydrogen diffusivity than a material of the capping layer.

Abstract: A reflective film coated substrate includes a substrate having two main surfaces opposite to each other and end faces connected to outer edges of the two main surfaces; and a reflective film formed on one of the main surfaces and extending onto at least part of the end faces. The reflective film on the main surface has a multilayer structure including low refractive index layers and high refractive index layers alternately formed. The reflective film which extends onto the end faces has a single-layer structure containing a first element higher in content than any other element in the low refractive index layers and a second element higher in content than any other element in the high refractive index layers.

Abstract: In a beam irradiation apparatus in which a movable body holds an object, a mark detection system detects a first mark on the movable body while moving the movable body in a first direction and changing an irradiation position of a measurement beam in the first direction, the mark detection system detects a second mark while moving the movable body in the first direction and changing the irradiation position of the measurement beam in the first direction, a controller controls a position of the movable body in a second direction intersecting the first direction during a time period between the detection of the first mark and the detection of the second mark, and the controller controls the movement of the movable body to adjust a positional relation between the object on the movable body and a processing beam, based on results of the detection of the first and second marks.

Abstract: A reflective mask includes a substrate, a reflective multilayer disposed over the substrate, a capping layer disposed over the reflective multilayer, an intermediate layer disposed over the capping layer, an absorber layer disposed over the intermediate layer, and a cover layer disposed over the absorber layer. The absorber layer includes one or more layers of an Ir based material, a Pt based material or a Ru based material.

Abstract: Phase shift masks for an extreme ultraviolet lithography process includes a substrate, a reflection layer on the substrate, a capping layer on the reflection layer, and phase shift patterns on the capping layer. Each of the phase shift patterns may include a lower absorption pattern on the capping layer and an upper absorption pattern on the lower absorption pattern. A refractive index of the upper absorption pattern may be higher than a refractive index of the lower absorption pattern, and a thickness of the upper absorption pattern is smaller than a thickness of the lower absorption pattern.

Abstract: A patterning device, includes: an absorber layer on a patterning device substrate; and a reflective or transmissive layer on the patterning device substrate, wherein the absorber layer and the reflective or transmissive layer together define a pattern layout having a main feature and an attenuated sub-resolution assist feature paired with the main feature, wherein: the main feature is configured to generate, upon transferring the device pattern to a layer of patterning material on a substrate, the main feature in the layer of patterning material, and upon the transferring the pattern to the layer of patterning material, the attenuated sub-resolution assist feature is configured to avoid generating a feature in the layer of patterning material and to produce a different radiation intensity than the main feature.

Abstract: Provided are a reflective mask blank, having a phase shift film having little dependence of phase difference and reflectance on film thickness, and a reflective mask. The reflective mask blank is characterized in that the phase shift film is composed of a material comprised of an alloy having two or more types of metal so that reflectance of the surface of the phase shift film is more than 3% to not more than 20% and so as to have a phase difference of 170 degrees to 190 degrees, and when a group of metal elements that satisfies the refractive index n and the extinction coefficient k of k>?*n+? is defined as Group A and a group of metal elements that satisfies the refractive index n and the extinction coefficient k of k<?*n+? is defined as Group B, the alloy is such that the composition ratio is adjusted so that the amount of change in the phase difference is within the range of ±2 degrees and the amount of change in reflectance is within the range of ±0.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving flatness of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask blanks are disclosed. The apparatus and methods may utilize one or more of heating the backside and/or the front side of the EUV mask blank and a cooling system. Interfacial layers of the EUV mask blank are selectively heated, resulting in improved flatness of the EUV mask blanks.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to improve centroid wavelength uniformity of EUV mask blanks are disclosed. The apparatus and methods may utilize one or more of heating the backside and/or the front side of the EUV mask blank. Selected regions and sub regions of the EUV mask blank are selectively heated, resulting in improved centroid wavelength uniformity of EUV mask blanks.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a pellicle frame in a frame shape having an upper end face on which a pellicle film is to be arranged and a lower end face to face a photomask, which is characterized by being provided with a notched part from the outer side face toward inner side face of the lower end face; a pellicle including the pellicle frame as an element; and a method for peeling a pellicle from a photomask onto which the pellicle has been attached, which is characterized by inserting a peeling jig into a notched part from a side face of a pellicle frame, and moving the peeling jig in an upper end face direction of the pellicle frame in this state to peel off the pellicle from the photomask.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a photomask and a method for repairing a photomask. The photomask includes a substrate, a reflective multi-layer stack over the substrate, a capping layer over the reflective multi-layer stack, an absorber layer over the capping layer, a first patch layer in direct contact with the absorber layer, and a second patch layer over a surface of the first patch layer.

Abstract: A catalyst including: a first layer including a transition metal; a base layer; and an interlayer, wherein the interlayer is disposed between the base layer and the first layer is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for preparing a catalyst as well as for synthesizing graphene, a pellicle produced using the catalyst or methods disclosed herein, as well as a lithography apparatus including such a pellicle.

Abstract: A blankmask for extreme ultraviolet lithography includes a reflection film, a capping film, and an absorbing film that are sequentially formed on a transparent substrate, in which the reflection film has a surface roughness of 0.5 nm Ra or less. It is possible to prevent footing of an EUV photomask pattern from occurring, improving flatness of an EUV blankmask, and prevent oxidation and defects of a capping film.

Abstract: A method of performing a lithography process includes providing a test pattern. The test pattern includes a first set of lines arranged at a first pitch, a second set of lines arranged at the first pitch, and further includes at least one reference line between the first set of lines and the second set of lines. The test pattern is exposed with a radiation source providing an asymmetric, monopole illumination profile to form a test pattern structure on a substrate. The test pattern structure is then measured and a measured distance correlated to an offset of a lithography parameter. A lithography process is adjusted based on the offset of the lithography parameter.

Abstract: Methods of coating extreme ultraviolet (EUV) reticle carrier assemblies are disclosed. The method includes depositing an adhesion layer on the EUV reticle carrier assembly, depositing at least one EUV absorber layer on the EUV reticle carrier assembly and depositing a stress-relieving layer on EUV reticle carrier assembly. The coated EUV reticle carrier assemblies exhibit reduced particle defect generation during EUV mask blank manufacturing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for a semiconductor lithography process. The apparatus includes a mask defining a circuit pattern to be transferred. The apparatus further includes a pellicle including a pattern formed in a first surface, wherein the pellicle is attached to the mask at the first surface. The apparatus also includes an adhesive material layer disposed between the mask and the first surface. The pattern may include a plurality of capillaries. Each capillary of the plurality of capillaries may have a dimension in a plane of the first surface between about 1 ?m and about 500 ?m. Each capillary of the plurality of capillaries may have a ratio of depth to width greater than or equal to about 100. The adhesive material layer may include an adhesive having a glass transition temperature (Tg) greater than room temperature.

Abstract: An EUV reflective structure includes a substrate and multiple pairs of a Si layer and a Mo layer. The Si layer includes a plurality of cavities.