Abstract: Provided is an integrated circuit (IC) fabrication method. The method includes receiving a mask, the mask having a plurality of dies and receiving a wafer, the wafer having a resist layer. The method further includes exposing the resist layer using the mask with a fraction radiation dose thereby forming a first plurality of images; re-positioning the mask relative to the wafer; and exposing the resist layer using the mask with another fraction radiation dose. A second plurality of images is formed, wherein a portion of the second plurality of images is superimposed over another portion of the first plurality of images.

Abstract: A reticle for use in an extreme ultraviolet (euv) lithography tool includes a trench formed in the opaque border formed around the image field of the reticle. The trench is coated with an absorber material. The reticle is used in an euv lithography tool in conjunction with a reticle mask and the positioning of the reticle mask and the presence of the trench combine to prevent any divergent beams of radiation from reaching any undesired areas on the substrate being patterned. In this manner, only the exposure field of the substrate is exposed to the euv radiation. Pattern integrity in neighboring fields is maintained.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a tool configuration and method for EUV patterning with a deformable reflective surface comprising a mirror or reticle. A radiation source provides EUV radiation which is reflected off the deformable reflective surface to transfer a reticle pattern to a semiconductor workpiece. A metrology tool measures a residual vector formed between a first shape of the semiconductor workpiece and a second shape of the reticle pattern. And, a topology of the deformable reflective surface is changed based upon the residual vector to minimize a total magnitude of the residual vector.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a tool configuration and method for EUV patterning with a deformable reflective surface comprising a mirror or reticle. A radiation source provides EUV radiation which is reflected off the deformable reflective surface to transfer a reticle pattern a semiconductor workpiece. A metrology tool measures a residual vector formed between a first shape of the semiconductor workpiece and a second shape of the reticle pattern. And, a topology of the deformable reflective surface is changed based upon the residual vector to minimize a total magnitude of the residual vector.

Abstract: Provided is an integrated circuit (IC) fabrication method. The method includes receiving a mask, the mask having a plurality of dies and receiving a wafer, the wafer having a resist layer. The method further includes exposing the resist layer using the mask with a fraction radiation dose thereby forming a first plurality of images; re-positioning the mask relative to the wafer; and exposing the resist layer using the mask with another fraction radiation dose. A second plurality of images is formed, wherein a portion of the second plurality of images is superimposed over another portion of the first plurality of images.

Abstract: A system and method of compensating for local focus errors in a semiconductor process. The method includes providing a reticle and applying, at a first portion of the reticle, a step height based on an estimated local focus error for a first portion of a wafer corresponding to the first portion of the reticle. A multilayer coating is formed over the reticle and an absorber layer is formed over the multilayer coating. A photoresist is formed over the absorber layer. The photoresist is patterned, an etch is performed of the absorber layer and residual photoresist is removed.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of overlay control which utilizes a deformable electrostatic chuck. The method comprises exposing a substrate to radiation which is reflected off of a reticle. The reticle is mounted to a deformable electrostatic chuck by a plurality of raised contacts, where each raised contact is configured to independently vary in height from a surface of the deformable electrostatic chuck. After exposure of the substrate to radiation which is reflected off of the reticle, a displacement between a first alignment shape formed on a first layer disposed on a surface of the substrate and a second alignment shape formed by the exposure is measured. The height of one or more of the plurality of raised contact is changed based upon the displacement to alter a surface topology of the reticle, which negates some effects of clamping topology. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is an integrated circuit (IC) fabrication method. The method includes receiving a mask, the mask having a plurality of dies and receiving a wafer, the wafer having a resist layer. The method further includes exposing the resist layer using the mask with a fraction radiation dose thereby forming a first plurality of images; re-positioning the mask relative to the wafer; and exposing the resist layer using the mask with another fraction radiation dose. A second plurality of images is formed, wherein a portion of the second plurality of images is superimposed over another portion of the first plurality of images.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure related to a method to form and operate the reflective surface to compensate for aberration effects on pattern uniformity. In some embodiments, the reflective surface comprises a mirror of within reduction optics of an EUV illumination tool. In some embodiments, the reflective surface comprises a reflective reticle. An EUV reflective surface topography comprising a reflective surface is disposed on a surface of a substrate, and is manipulated by mechanical force or thermal deformation. The substrate includes a plurality of cavities, where each cavity is coupled to a deformation element configured to expand a volume of the cavity and consequently deform a portion of the reflective surface above each cavity, for local control of the reflective surface through thermal deformation of a resistive material subject to an electric current, or mechanical deformation due to pressurized gas within the cavity or a piezoelectric effect.

Abstract: A reticle for use in an extreme ultraviolet (euv) lithography tool includes a trench formed in the opaque border formed around the image field of the reticle. The trench is coated with an absorber material. The reticle is used in an euv lithography tool in conjunction with a reticle mask and the positioning of the reticle mask and the presence of the trench combine to prevent any divergent beams of radiation from reaching any undesired areas on the substrate being patterned. In this manner, only the exposure field of the substrate is exposed to the euv radiation. Pattern integrity in neighboring fields is maintained.

Abstract: A system and method of compensating for local focus errors in a semiconductor process. The method includes providing a reticle and applying, at a first portion of the reticle, a step height based on an estimated local focus error for a first portion of a wafer corresponding to the first portion of the reticle. A multilayer coating is formed over the reticle and an absorber layer is formed over the multilayer coating. A photoresist is formed over the absorber layer. The photoresist is patterned, an etch is performed of the absorber layer and residual photoresist is removed.

Abstract: A chuck includes a number of gas openings positioned to provide a gas flow to a backside of a wafer secured to the chuck. The chuck also includes a number of exhaust openings positioned to exhaust the gas at a distance from a topside edge of the wafer such that adverse thermal effects on the edge are reduced to a predetermined level.

Abstract: A cable management device includes a device body, a connecting member, and an extension body. The device body includes a first cable management arm and a second cable management arm. The connecting member pivotally connects a first end of the first cable management arm and a first end of the second cable management arm to attain a first cable management configuration. The connecting member is removable from the first cable management arm and the second cable management arm. In response to removal of the connecting member, two opposing ends of the extension body are respectively connected to the first end of the first cable management arm and the first end of the second cable management arm to attain a second cable management configuration. The cable management device may be included in a rack assembly.

Abstract: A releasably locking lid for a beverage container is disclosed. More specifically, lid embodiments include an outer surface, an inner surface, and a lip, the lid including a center piece and an outer ring that is configured to rotate relative to the center piece to releasably lock the container within a receiving space in the lid.

Abstract: A releasably locking lid for a beverage container is disclosed. More specifically, lid embodiments include an outer surface, an inner surface, and a lip, the lid including a center piece and an outer ring that is configured to rotate relative to the center piece to releasably lock the container within a receiving space in the lid.

Abstract: A low-noise cost-effective keyboard includes keys arranged in rows and columns in a housing. Each key has a mounting member affixed to the housing, at least one button, at least one connecting member integrally connected between the mounting member and the at least one button in a manner that a top surface of the at least one button is higher in elevation than the top surface of the mounting member, and at least one stop flange protruding from a side of the button opposite to the connecting member in a manner that an end edge of the at least one stop flange is lower in elevation than a bottom surface of the button and the stop flange of one key suspends beneath one button of another key.