Abstract: A lithographic mask comprises a first layer including grooves, a second layer including regions, sections and a groove-like structure that encloses the sections. The first and second layers are formed so as to reduce electrical potential differences within the second layer. A method of forming a lithographic mask includes forming first and second layers to dispose the second layer over the first layer, patterning the second layer to comprise sections, a region, and a groove-like structure enclosing the sections, and forming grooves in the first layer at portions not covered by the second layer. The first and second layers are formed to reduce potential differences within the second layers during the step of forming the grooves in the first layer.

Abstract: A method of double patterning is disclosed. The method includes forming a first photosensitive layer; exposing the first photosensitive layer using a first reticle; developing the first photosensitive layer thereby forming a first image pattern including first elements; forming a second photosensitive layer; exposing the second photosensitive layer using the first reticle; and developing the second photosensitive layer thereby forming a second image pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a structure serving as an etching mask on the surface of a substrate. In this case, a first method involves forming a first partial structure on the surface of the substrate, which has structure elements that are arranged regularly and are spaced apart essentially identically. A second method involves forming spacers on the surface of the substrate, which adjoin sidewalls of the structure elements of the first partial structure, cutouts being provided between the spacers. A third method step involves introducing filling material into the cutouts between the spacers, a surface of the spacers being uncovered. A fourth method step involves removing the spacers in order to form a second partial structure having the filling material and having structure elements that are arranged regularly and are spaced apart essentially identically. The structure to be produced is composed of the first partial structure and the second partial structure.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a filter system for a light source in a lithography process for the production of semiconductor devices with a flowing absorber gas for at least one wavelength (?) in the range between 20 to 250 nm, the flowing absorber gas intersecting the light path emitted by the light source. Furthermore, the invention is concerned with a lithography apparatus for processing semiconductor substrates, the use of a filter system, a method for filtering light and a semiconductor device manufactured by the method.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing semiconductor structures is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first mask is provided above a substrate. The first mask includes first mask lines extending along a first axis. A second mask is provided above the first mask. The second mask includes second mask lines extending along a second axis that intersects the first axis. At least one of the first and second masks is formed by a pitch fragmentation method. Structures may be formed in the substrate, wherein the first and the second mask are effective as a combined mask. The structures may be equally spaced at a pitch in the range of a minimum lithographic feature size for repetitive line structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fabricating an integrated circuit, including the steps of providing at least one layer; performing a first implantation step, wherein particles are implanted into the layer under a first direction of incidence; performing a second implantation step, wherein particles are implanted into the layer under a second direction of incidence which is different from the first direction of incidence; performing a removal step, wherein the layer is partially removed depending on the local implant dose generated by the first and the second implantation step.

Abstract: A lithographic mask comprises a first layer including grooves, a second layer including regions, sections and a groove-like structure that encloses the sections. The first and second layers are formed so as to reduce electrical potential differences within the second layer. A method of forming a lithographic mask includes forming first and second layers to dispose the second layer over the first layer, patterning the second layer to comprise sections, a region, and a groove-like structure enclosing the sections, and forming grooves in the first layer at portions not covered by the second layer. The first and second layers are formed to reduce potential differences within the second layers during the step of forming the grooves in the first layer.

Abstract: One possible embodiment is a method of manufacturing a structure on or in a substrate with the following steps a) positioning at least one spacer structure by a spacer technique on the substrate, b) using at least one of the groups of the spacer structure and a structure generated by the spacer structure as a mask for a subsequent particle irradiation step for generating a latent image in the substrate c) using the latent image for further processing the substrate.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method for manufacturing a local wiring in a semiconductor device, comprising the manufacturing of at least two electrically conducting structures essentially in the same horizontal level in a layered stack on a substrate, the at least two electrically conducting structures being separated by a gap filled with at least one dielectric material, the gap being electrically bridged by conductive material, to form at least one contact element electrically connecting the at least two electrically conducting structures, whereby at least one contact element is produced in a single lithographic step.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit, including the steps of forming a first mask layer in the form of a hard mask layer including a plurality of first openings and a second mask layer with at least one second opening which at least partially overlaps with one of the first openings, wherein the at least one second opening is generated lithographically; and at least two neighboring first openings are distanced from each other with a center to center pitch smaller than the resolution limit of the lithography used for generating the second opening.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of forming a structure on a substrate is disclosed. For example, the method includes forming a first mask layer and a second mask layer, modifying a material property in regions of the first and second mask layers, and forming the structure based on the modified regions.

Abstract: Among other implementations, a method for manufacturing a structure on a substrate is described wherein at least one carrier structure is positioned on a substrate and at least one spacer structure is positioned on the sidewalls of the at least one carrier structure, the at least one carrier structure or the at least one spacer structure is subsequently removed and before or after the removal of the at least one spacer structure or the removal of the at least one carrier structure, an etch resistant layer is positioned in at least one of the following regions: a region not covered by the at least one carrier structure, a region not covered by the at least one spacer structure and a region not covered by the at least one carrier structure and the at least one spacer structure.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device and an apparatus for the manufacturing of semiconductor devices are provided. An embodiment regards providing a process which changes the volume of at least one layer of a semiconductor substrate or of at least one layer deposited on the semiconductor substrate, and measuring a change in volume of such at least one layer using fluorescence. In another embodiment, a change in volume of such at least one layer is measured using reflection of electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: Double patterning a photo sensitive layer stack, is disclosed including providing a substrate being coated with a first and a second photo resist layer, exposing both photo resist layers by employing lithographic projection steps, wherein a second lithographic projection step illuminates a latent image with a focal depth at least partially covering the second photo resist layer.

Abstract: A method of double patterning is disclosed. The method includes forming a first photosensitive layer; exposing the first photosensitive layer using a first reticle; developing the first photosensitive layer thereby forming a first image pattern including first elements; forming a second photosensitive layer; exposing the second photosensitive layer using the first reticle; and developing the second photosensitive layer thereby forming a second image pattern.

Abstract: Method for processing at least one spacer structure in a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device, wherein the at least one spacer structure is subjected to at least one etch process step with an isotropic component and the spacer structure comprises at least one point on the surface with a large solid angle opening towards the environment. Method of manufacturing an integrated circuit, including a regional removal of a spacer structure, wherein the removal is determined by a pattern density in the vicinity of the spacer structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with a substrate includes a structure. The structure has a first part and a second part. At least one section of the edge of the first part of the structure is at an essential constant distance measured parallel to the substrate to a first section of an edge of a second structure. At least one section of the edge of the second part of the structure is lined with an edge of a second section of the same second section. The first section of the edge of the second structure and a second section of the edge of the second structure merge at least at one point, whereby the angle between the tangents of the edges of the first and second section of the second structure is less than 90°. The structure and the second structure are distanced by a spacer structure.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device, apparatus and etch chamber for the manufacturing of semiconductor devices are provided. Embodiments are related to the rotating of a semiconductor substrate round an axis perpendicular to its surface during etching or reactive deposition processes, and irradiating a semiconductor substrate non-uniformly during etching or reactive deposition processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fabricating an integrated circuit, including the steps of providing at least one layer; performing a first implantation step, wherein particles are implanted into the layer under a first direction of incidence; performing a second implantation step, wherein particles are implanted into the layer under a second direction of incidence which is different from the first direction of incidence; performing a removal step, wherein the layer is partially removed depending on the local implant dose generated by the first and the second implantation step.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit, including the steps of forming a first mask layer in the form of a hard mask layer including a plurality of first openings and a second mask layer with at least one second opening which at least partially overlaps with one of the first openings, wherein the at least one second opening is generated lithographically; and at least two neighboring first openings are distanced from each other with a center to center pitch smaller than the resolution limit of the lithography used for generating the second opening.