Abstract: A method for preserving semiconductor feature opening profiles for metrology examination including providing semiconductor wafer having a process surface comprising semiconductor feature openings; blanket depositing over the semiconductor feature openings to substantially fill the semiconductor feature openings at least one layer of material comprising silicon oxide; and, preparing a portion of the semiconductor wafer in cross sectional layout for metrology examination.

Abstract: A phase shifting mask set and method of using the phase shifting mask set to pattern a layer of negative photoresist. The mask set comprises a first phase shifting mask and a second phase shifting mask. The first and second phase shifting masks have regions of 90° phase shift and −90° phase shift in the contact hole regions of the masks. In the second phase shift mask the phase shift regions are rotated 90° spatially with respect to the phase shift regions of the first phase shift mask. A layer of negative photoresist is exposed with the first and second phase shift masks and developed to form the photoresist pattern used to form contact holes.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a via openings, comprising the following steps. A semiconductor structure is provided. A low-k layer is formed upon the semiconductor structure. A via opening is formed within the low-k layer. An inert polymer liner layer is formed upon the low-k layer and within the via opening. A photoresist layer is formed upon the inert polymer liner layer, filling the inert polymer lined via opening. The inert polymer liner layer preventing adverse chemical reactions between the photoresist layer and portions of the low-k layer. The photoresist layer is patterned to expose the inert polymer lined via opening and portions of the inert polymer lined low-k layer adjacent the via opening. The exposed inert polymer lined via opening and portions of the inert polymer lined low-k layer adjacent the via opening and the portions of the inert polymer liner layer upon the via opening and portions of the inert polymer lined low-k layer adjacent the via opening are etched to form a structure opening.

Abstract: A mask set of two masks and a method of using these masks in a double exposure to avoid line shortening due to optical proximity effects is described. A pattern having pattern elements comprising a number of line segments, wherein each of the line segments has one or two free ends which are not connected to other mask pattern elements is to be transferred to a layer of resist. A first mask is formed by adding line extensions to each of the free ends of the line segments. A cutting mask is formed comprising rectangles enclosing each of the line extensions wherein one of the sides of said rectangles is coincident with the corresponding free end of said line segment. The first mask has opaque regions corresponding to the extended line segments. The cutting mask has transparent regions corresponding to the cutting pattern. In another embodiment a pattern having pattern openings comprising a number of line segments.

Abstract: A phase shifting mask set and method of suing the phase shifting mask set to pattern a layer of negative photoresist. The mask set comprises a first phase shifting mask and a second phase shifting mask. The first phase shifting mask has regions of 90° phase shift and −90° phase shift in the contact hole regions of the mask. The second phase shift mask also has regions of 90° phase shift and −90° phase shift in the contact hole regions of the mask. In the second phase shift mask the 90° phase shift regions are rotated 90° spatially with respect to the 90° phase shift regions of the first phase shift mask and the −90° phase shift regions are rotated 90° spatially with respect to the −90° phase shift regions of the first phase shift mask. A layer of negative photoresist is exposed with the first and second phase shift masks and developed to form the photoresist pattern used to form contact holes.

Abstract: A phase shifting mask set and method of suing the phase shifting mask set to pattern a layer of negative photoresist. The mask set comprises a first phase shifting mask and a second phase shifting mask. The first phase shifting mask has regions of 90° phase shift and −90° phase shift in the contact hole regions of the mask. The second phase shift mask also has regions of 90° phase shift and −90° phase shift in the contact hole regions of the mask. In the second phase shift mask the 90° phase shift regions are rotated 90° spatially with respect to the 90° phase shift regions of the first phase shift mask and the −90° phase shift regions are rotated 90° spatially with respect to the −90° phase shift regions of the first phase shift mask. A layer of negative photoresist is exposed with the first and second phase shift masks and developed to form the photoresist pattern used to form contact holes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-reflection films for lithographic application on polysilicon containing substrate. A structure for improving lithography patterning in an integrated circuit comprises a polysilicon layer, a diaphanous layer located above the polysilicon layer, an anti-reflection layer located above the diaphanous layer, and then a photoresist layer located above the anti-reflection layer for patterning the integrated circuit pattern. The anti-reflection layer is preferably oxynitride.

Abstract: A method of forming an alternative phase shifting mask and forming a circuit pattern on a wafer using the mask are described. Optical proximity correction is added to a data file, in which a description of a circuit pattern has been stored, to obtain a first modified data file. The first modified data file is then separated into a second modified data file, for regions of the mask having dense line/space patterns, and a third modified data file, for regions of the mask having isolated line space patterns. Critical dimension bias is then added to the second modified data file forming a fourth modified data file. The third modified data file and the fourth modified data file are then merged into a single fifth modified data file. The fifth modified data file is then is then converted to an alternative phase shift data file. An alternative phase shift mask is then formed from the alternative phase shift data file.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-reflection film for lithographic application on tungsten-silicide containing substrate. In one embodiment of the present invention, a structure for improving lithography patterning in integrated circuit comprises a tungsten-silicide layer, a diaphanous layer located above the tungsten-silicide layer, an anti-reflection layer located above the diaphanous layer, and a photoresist layer located above the anti-reflection layer for patterning the integrated circuit pattern.

Abstract: Improved etching of sub-micron diameter via or contact holes in integrated circuits is achieved by first coating the dielectric layer through which the hole is to be etched with successive layers of titanium and silicon oxynitride. This is followed by coating with a conventional photoresist mask which is thinner than usual, thereby allowing for improved resolution. Etching is carried out in two stages. First, only the oxynitride and titanium layers are etched with minimal penetration into the dielectric. In this way a hard mask of titanium is formed. It's optical fidelity is excellent since the combination of silicon oxynitride and titanium act as a very efficient anti-reflection coating. Etching of the hole is then completed using a different etch which also removes the remaining photoresist, the silicon oxynitride as well as some of the titanium.

Abstract: Novel overlay targets and an algorithm metrology are provided that minimize the overlay measurement error for fabricating integrated circuits. The method is particularly useful for accurately measuring layer-to-layer overlay on a substrate having material layers, such insulating, polysilicon, and metal layers that have asymmetric profiles over the overlay targets resulting from asymmetric deposition or chemical/mechanically polishing. The novel method involves forming a triangular-shaped first overlay target in a first material layer on a substrate. A second material layer, having the asymmetric profile is formed over the first material layer. During patterning of the second material layer, smaller triangular-shaped second overlay target are etched. The vertices of the smaller second overlay targets are aligned to the midpoints of the sides of the first overlay target, which are less sensitive to the asymmetries in the second material layer.

Abstract: A method for improving the patterning process of a conductive layer using a dual-layer cap of oxynitride and silicon nitride. The oxynitride layer acts as a BARC (Bottom Anti-Reflective Coating) to improve photolithography process performance. The oxynitride is formed by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: Novel triangular alignment marks and a novel algorithm are used to provide improved global alignment of the substrate on a substrate stage in an align-and expose tool. The method provides an improved metrology for aligning to a recessed alignment mark in the substrate having a material layer, such as insulating, polysilicon, and conducting layers that are inadvertently made asymmetric by processing such as chemical/mechanically polishing. The method also employs an algorithm that detects the recessed edges of the triangle and mathematically generates three lines representing the edges of the triangle. The algorithm then generates a family of lines moving inward from the edges of the triangular alignment marks and parallel to the edges until the lines converge to a common point which determines the alignment center for the triangular alignment marks.