Abstract: A uniform thin phase-shifting photomask blank can be formed by depositing a thin film on a substrate by a reactive sputtering technique while passing, at least four times, the substrate over a sputtering target. In the formation of the blank, NO gas is used as the reactive gas, a target composed of a mixture of molybdenum and silicon is used as the sputtering target and a transparent substrate is used as the thin film-forming substrate to form, on the transparent substrate, a light-transmitting film capable of transmitting light rays having an intensity, which cannot substantially contribute to the exposure. In addition, the film is formed, on the substrate, through an opening having a sufficiently enlarged length along the substrate-conveying direction so that even regions whose deposition rate of the target component is not more than 90% of the maximum level thereof also contribute to the film-formation.

Abstract: A phase-shifting photomask blank is made by sputtering a target of molybdenum suicide with a sputtering gas to which nitric monoxide is added in a ratio of 2.65-6.47% by volume. A nitrided-oxide film of molybdenum silicide as a phase-shifting film is formed on a transparent substrate. A base phase-shifting film may be formed on a transparent substrate and then a nitrided-oxide film of molybdenum silicide as a surface layer may be formed on top of the base phase-shifting film by sputtering a target of molybdenum silicide with a sputtering gas to which nitric monoxide is added in a ratio of 0.59-6.47% by volume. The transparent substrate on which the nitrided-oxide film of molybdenum slicide is formed may be subjected to a heat treatment at a temperature of 200.degree. C. or more.

Abstract: A phase-shifting photomask blank is made by sputtering a target of molybdenum silicide with a sputtering gas to which nitric monoxide is added in a ratio of 2.65-6.47% by volume. A nitrided-oxide film of molybdenum silicide as a phase-shifting film is formed on a transparent substrate. A base phase-shifting film may be formed on a transparent substrate and then a nitrided-oxide film of molybdenum silicide as a surface layer may be formed on top of the base phase-shifting film by sputtering a target of molybdenum silicide with a sputtering gas to which nitric monoxide is added in a ratio of 0.59-6.47% by volume. The transparent substrate on which the nitrided-oxide film of molybdenum slicide is formed may be subjected to a heat treatment at a temperature of 200.degree. C. or more.

Abstract: A second light transmit portion of a phase shift mask is formed of a molybdenum silicide nitride oxide, or a molybdenum silicide oxide, or a chromium nitride oxide, or a chromium oxide, or a chromium carbide nitride oxide film converting a phase of transmitted exposure light by 180.degree. and having the transmittance of at least 2% and less than 5%. In the manufacturing method of the second light transmit portion, a molybdenum silicide nitride oxide film, or a molybdenum silicide oxide film, or a chromium nitride oxide film, or a chromium oxide film, or a carbide nitride oxide film is formed by a sputtering method. Consequently, with a conventional sputtering apparatus, the second light transmit portion can be formed, and additionally, etching process of the phase shifter portion is required only once, so that probabilities of defects and errors in the manufacturing process can be decreased.

Abstract: A second light transmit portion of a phase shift mask is formed of a molybdenum silicide nitride oxide or a molybdenum silicide oxide a chromium nitride oxide, or a chromium oxide, or a chromium carbide nitride oxide film converting a phase of transmitted exposure light by 180.degree. and having the transmittance of 5-40%. In the manufacturing method of the second light transmit portion, a molybdenum silicide nitride oxide film or a molybdenum silicide oxide film a chromium nitride oxide film, or a chromium oxide film, or a carbide nitride oxide film is formed by a sputtering method. Consequently, with a conventional sputtering apparatus, the second light transmit portion can be formed, and additionally, etching process of the phase shifter portion is required only once, so that probabilities of defects and errors in the manufacturing process can be decreased.

Abstract: A second light transmit portion of a phase shift mask is formed of a molybdenum silicide nitride oxide, or a molybdenum silicide oxide, or a chromium nitride oxide, or a chromium oxide, or a chromium carbide nitride oxide film converting a phase of transmitted exposure light by 180.degree. and having the transmittance of at least 2% and less than 5%. In the manufacturing method of the second light transmit portion, a molybdenum silicide nitride oxide film, or a molybdenum silicide oxide film, or a chromium nitride oxide film, or a chromium oxide film, or a carbide nitride oxide film is formed by a sputtering method. Consequently, with a conventional sputtering apparatus, the second light transmit portion can be formed, and additionally, etching process of the phase shifter portion is required only once, so that probabilities of defects and errors in the manufacturing process can be decreased.

Abstract: A second light transmit portion of a phase shift mask is formed of a molybdenum silicide nitride oxide or a molybdenum silicide oxide a chromium nitride oxide, or a chromium oxide, or a chromium carbide nitride oxide film converting a phase of transmitted exposure light by 180.degree. and having the transmittance of 5-40%. In the manufacturing method of the second light transmit portion, a molybdenum silicide nitride oxide film or a molybdenum silicide oxide film a chromium nitride oxide film, or a chromium oxide film, or a carbide nitride oxide film is formed by a sputtering method. Consequently, with a conventional sputtering apparatus, the second light transmit portion can be formed, and additionally, etching process of the phase shifter portion is required only once, so that probabilities of defects and errors in the manufacturing process can be decreased.

Abstract: A phase-shifting photomask blank has a transparent substrate, a phase-shifting film deposited on the transparent substrate, the phase-shifting film including a transversely central composition which results in a reduced rate of side etching, and a patterned photoresist film masking the phase-shifting film. When the phase-shifting film is dry-etched through the patterned photoresist film into a desired circuit pattern, transversely different rates of side etching of the phase-shifting film are substantially equalized due to the reduced rate of side etching resulting from the transversely central composition. The circuit pattern includes openings defined by removal of the phase-shifting film and shifters left between the openings. The shifters have respective side surfaces free of steps and extending substantially perpendicularly from the transparent substrate.

Abstract: A phase shift mask of the present invention includes a quartz substrate transmitting exposure light, a transmitting film having a predetermined transmittance formed on the main surface of quartz substrate, a light transmitting portion from which quartz substrate is exposed is formed in a predetermined region, and a phase shifter portion formed of a single material on light transmitting film converting the phase angle by approximately 180.degree. and having a transmittance of 3-20% with respect to the exposure light transmitted through light transmitting portion. As a result, a defect generated in the phase shifter portion can be easily detected with an ordinary defect inspection apparatus without deteriorating the phase shifter portion as a phase shift mask.

Abstract: A second light transmit portion of a phase shift mask is formed of a molybdenum silicide nitride oxide or a molybdenum silicide oxide a chromium nitride oxide, or a chromium oxide, or a chromium carbide nitride oxide film converting a phase of transmitted exposure light by 180.degree. and having the transmittance of 5-40%. In the manufacturing method of the second light transmit portion, a molybdenum silicide nitride oxide film or a molybdenum silicide oxide film a chromium nitride oxide film, or a chromium oxide film, or a carbide nitride oxide film is formed by a sputtering method. Consequently, with a conventional sputtering apparatus, the second light transmit portion can be formed, and additionally, etching process of the phase shifter portion is required only once, so that probabilities of defects and errors in the manufacturing process can be decreased.