Abstract: A method (100) of forming a reflective reticle blank includes forming (106) a reflective layer (108) over a flat substrate (104) and coupling a low thermal expansion material (112) to the reflective layer (108). After coupling the low thermal expansion material (112) to the reflective layer (108), the flat substrate (104) is removed. By forming the reflective layer (108) on the flat substrate (104), a low-defect, high reflectivity reflective layer (108) is formed. In addition, by removing the flat substrate (104), the reticle blank uses the low thermal expansion material (112) as substrate and exhibits minimized distortion during processing due to its low thermal expansion material.

Abstract: The separate formation of alignment marks and manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising photolithographically printing circuit patterns is avoided by utilizing trenches formed when etching to form shallow isolation trenches, thereby increasing manufacturing throughput and reducing costs. Embodiments include utilizing alignment trenches having a depth of about 2,400.ANG. to less than about 4,000.ANG., e.g., 3,000.ANG., formed substantially simultaneously with forming isolation trenches having substantially the same depth as the alignment trenches.