Abstract: A photolithographic mask assembly according to the present disclosure accompanies a photolithographic mask. The photolithographic mask includes a capping layer over a substrate and an absorber layer disposed over the capping layer. The absorber layer includes a first main feature area, a second main feature area, and a venting feature area disposed between the first main feature area and the second main feature area. The venting feature area includes a plurality of venting features.

Abstract: A mask includes a reflective layer, an absorption layer, a buffer layer and an absorption part. The absorption layer is disposed over the reflective layer. The buffer layer is disposed between the reflective layer and the absorption layer. The absorption part is disposed in the reflective layer, the buffer layer and the absorption layer.

Abstract: An EUV radiation source apparatus includes an EUV source vessel including a chamber; a crucible disposed in the chamber; a tin layer disposed on the crucible; a catcher disposed in the chamber and configured to collect fuel debris generated from a collision of the tin layer and a laser beam; a heat dissipation structure disposed over the catcher; and a venting system coupled to the EUV source vessel and communicable with the chamber. A method for generating EUV radiation includes: collecting fuel debris on a catcher disposed in a chamber of an EUV source vessel; dissipating heat from the catcher to the chamber; and venting a gas out of the EUV source vessel to cool the chamber to a decreased temperature through an opening disposed on the EUV source vessel.

Abstract: An EUV radiation source apparatus includes an EUV source vessel; a tin layer disposed in the EUV source vessel; a chamber disposed adjacent to the EUV source vessel; and a first filter disposed in the chamber, wherein the first filter includes a membrane and a mesh disposed on the membrane, and the membrane and the mesh are integrally formed. A method for generating EUV radiation includes: forming a first filter including a membrane and a mesh integrally formed with the membrane; disposing the first filter in a chamber adjacent to an EUV source vessel; and collecting fuel debris on the first filter in the chamber.

Abstract: A photolithographic mask assembly according to the present disclosure accompanies a photolithographic mask. The photolithographic mask includes a capping layer over a substrate and an absorber layer disposed over the capping layer. The absorber layer includes a first main feature area, a second main feature area, and a venting feature area disposed between the first main feature area and the second main feature area. The venting feature area includes a plurality of venting features.

Abstract: A pellicle includes a frame having an attachment surface configured to attach to a photomask, wherein the frame comprises a vent hole. The pellicle further includes a filter covering the vent hole, wherein the filter directly contacts an inner surface of the frame, and the filter extends in a direction parallel to the attachment surface. The pellicle further includes a membrane extending over a top surface of the frame.

Abstract: A mask includes a reflective layer, an absorption layer and an absorption part. The absorption layer is disposed over the reflective multilayer. The absorption part is disposed in the reflective layer and the absorption layer, wherein an entire top surface of the absorption part is substantially flush with a top surface of the absorption layer.

Abstract: A pellicle includes a frame configured to attach to a photomask, wherein the frame includes a vent hole. The pellicle further includes a filter covering the vent hole, wherein the filter directly connects to an outer surface of the frame. The pellicle further includes a membrane extending over a top surface of the frame. The pellicle further includes a mount between the frame and the membrane, wherein the mount is attachable to the frame by an adhesive.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure is provided. The method may include several operations. A substrate is provided, received or formed. A multilayer structure is formed over the substrate, wherein the multilayer structure includes a plurality of silicon layers and a plurality of molybdenum layers alternately arranged with the plurality of silicon layers. A nitride layer and an oxide layer are formed over the multilayer structure, wherein a total thickness of the nitride layer and a topmost silicon layer is substantially equal to a thickness of each of all other silicon layers of the plurality of silicon layers. A patterned layer is formed over the nitride layer. A semiconductor structure thereof is also provided.

Abstract: To improve EUV emission stability, bumps and eaves are added to the interior wall of a rotating crucible that produces EUV light by vaporizing a pre-heated metal, such as tin, using a laser. The bumps and eaves prevent migration of debris and control liquid metal flow, which is otherwise distributed over time by the centrifugal forces generated as the crucible rotates. The bumps and eaves stabilize EUV emissions by changing turbulent liquid metal flow to a predominately laminar flow. Tin catchers of various designs are available to collect and recycle a significant portion of the debris and unused liquid metal. A closed crucible chamber design alleviates non-uniform heating issues.

Abstract: In a mask review method, a vacuum is drawn in a vacuum chamber that contains an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) actinic mask review system including an EUV illuminator, a mask stage, a projection optics box, and an EUV imaging sensor. With the vacuum drawn, a position is adjusted of at least one component of the EUV actinic mask review system. After the adjusting and with the vacuum drawn, an actinic image is acquired of an EUV mask mounted on the mask stage using the EUV imaging sensor. The acquiring includes transmitting EUV light from the EUV illuminator onto the EUV mask and projecting at least a portion of the EUV light reflected by the EUV mask onto the EUV imaging sensor using the projection optics box.

Abstract: A photolithographic mask assembly according to the present disclosure accompanies a photolithographic mask. The photolithographic mask includes a capping layer over a substrate and an absorber layer disposed over the capping layer. The absorber layer includes a first main feature area, a second main feature area, and a venting feature area disposed between the first main feature area and the second main feature area. The venting feature area includes a plurality of venting features.

Abstract: A spin dry etching process includes loading an object into a dry etching system. A dry etching process is performed to the object, and the object is spun while the dry etching process is being performed. The spin dry etching process is performed using a semiconductor fabrication system. The semiconductor fabrication system includes a dry etching chamber in which a dry etching process is performed. A holder apparatus has a horizontally-facing slot that is configured for horizontal insertion of an etchable object therein. The etchable object includes either a photomask or a wafer. A controller is communicatively coupled to the holder apparatus and configured to spin the holder apparatus in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction while the dry etching process is being performed. An insertion of the etchable object into the horizontally-facing slot of the holder apparatus restricts a movement of the object as the dry etching process is performed.

Abstract: A photolithographic mask assembly according to the present disclosure accompanies a photolithographic mask. The photolithographic mask includes a capping layer over a substrate and an absorber layer disposed over the capping layer. The absorber layer includes a first main feature area, a second main feature area, and a venting feature area disposed between the first main feature area and the second main feature area. The venting feature area includes a plurality of venting features.

Abstract: A reflection mode photomask includes a multilayer over a substrate. The reflection mode photomask further includes a plurality of absorber stacks over the multilayer. Each absorber stack of the plurality of absorber stacks includes an absorber layer, wherein a material of the absorber layer is selected from the group consisting of tantalum oxynitride and tantalum silicon oxynitride. Each absorber stack of the plurality of absorber stacks further includes an anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer on the absorber layer, wherein a material of the ARC layer is selected from the group consisting of tantalum nitride and tantalum silicon.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a reticle includes depositing an etch stop layer over a substrate; and depositing an absorber layer over the etch stop layer. The method further includes depositing a hard mask layer over the absorber layer, wherein the hard mask layer includes tantalum. The method includes patterning the hard mask layer. The method further includes performing a first etch process to remove a portion of the absorber layer underneath the patterned hard mask. The method includes performing a second etch process to partially remove a portion of a thickness of an etch stop layer underneath the removed portion of the absorber layer, wherein performing the third etch process comprises maintaining a remaining thickness of the etch stop layer underneath the removed portion of the absorber. The method further includes maintaining the remaining thickness of the etch stop layer through a termination of the method of manufacturing the reticle.

Abstract: A mask includes a reflective layer, an absorption layer and an absorption part. The absorption layer is disposed over the reflective multilayer. The absorption part is disposed in the reflective layer and the absorption layer, wherein an entire top surface of the absorption part is substantially flush with a top surface of the absorption layer.

Abstract: A mask includes a substrate, a reflective multilayer, an absorption layer and an absorption part. The substrate includes a mask image region and a mask frame region, wherein the mask frame region has a mask black border region adjacent to the mask image region. The reflective multilayer is disposed over the substrate. The absorption layer is disposed over the reflective multilayer. The absorption part is disposed in the reflective multilayer and the absorption layer and in the mask black border region, wherein an entire top surface of the absorption part is substantially flush with a top surface of the absorption layer.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to photomask for mask patterning. The photomask includes a transparent layer comprising quartz, and a molybdenum silicide (MoSi) layer overlying the transparent layer. A first shielding layer overlies the MoSi layer and has a first thickness and a first optical density. A second shielding layer overlies the first shielding layer and has a second thickness and a second optical density. The second thickness is less than one third of the first thickness, and the second optical density is less than one fourth of the first optical density. An overall optical density of the first and second shielding layers is at least 1.8.

Abstract: A photolithographic mask assembly according to the present disclosure accompanies a photolithographic mask. The photolithographic mask includes a capping layer over a substrate and an absorber layer disposed over the capping layer. The absorber layer includes a first main feature area, a second main feature area, and a venting feature area disposed between the first main feature area and the second main feature area. The venting feature area includes a plurality of venting features.