Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pellicle membrane, the method including: providing a first sacrificial layer on a planar substrate to form a stack; and providing, to at least a portion of the stack, at least one metal silicide or doped metal silicide pellicle core layer which forms at least part of the pellicle membrane is described. Also described is a pellicle membrane assembly having a substrate, a first sacrificial layer, and at least one metal silicide or doped metal silicide pellicle layer which forms at least part of a pellicle core, as well as a lithography apparatus including such a pellicle.

Abstract: A pellicle membrane for a lithographic apparatus, wherein the pellicle membrane includes metal silicide and a reinforcing network. The reinforcing network can be located between metal silicide layers. The reinforcing network can be irregular. The reinforcing network includes windows with a maximum dimension of up to 20 microns. The reinforcing network includes windows having an average size of at least 5 microns.

Abstract: A wafer including a mask on one face and at least one layer on an opposite face, wherein the mask has at least one scribeline which overlies at least a portion of the opposite face which is substantially free of the at least one layer is described. Also described is a method of preparing a pellicle, the method including: providing a wafer having a mask on one face and at least one layer on an opposite face, defining a scribeline in the mask, and selectively removing a portion of the at least one layer which at least partially overlies the scribeline as well as a method of preparing a pellicle, the method including: providing a pellicle core, and removing at least some material from at least one face of the pellicle core in a non-oxidizing environment. In any aspect, the pellicle may include a metal nitride layer.

Abstract: A wafer including a mask on one face and at least one layer on an opposite face, wherein the mask has at least one scribeline which overlies at least a portion of the opposite face which is substantially free of the at least one layer is described. Also described is a method of preparing a pellicle, the method including: providing a wafer having a mask on one face and at least one layer on an opposite face, defining a scribeline in the mask, and selectively removing a portion of the at least one layer which at least partially overlies the scribeline as well as a method of preparing a pellicle, the method including: providing a pellicle core, and removing at least some material from at least one face of the pellicle core in a non-oxidising environment. In any aspect, the pellicle may include a metal nitride layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pellicle membrane, the method including: providing a first sacrificial layer on a planar substrate to form a stack; and providing, to at least a portion of the stack, at least one metal silicide or doped metal silicide pellicle core layer which forms at least part of the pellicle membrane is described. Also described is a pellicle membrane assembly having a substrate, a first sacrificial layer, and at least one metal silicide or doped metal silicide pellicle layer which forms at least part of a pellicle core, as well as a lithography apparatus including such a pellicle.

Abstract: A wafer including a mask on one face and at least one layer on an opposite face, wherein the mask has at least one scribeline which overlies at least a portion of the opposite face which is substantially free of the at least one layer is described. Also described is a method of preparing a pellicle, the method including: providing a wafer having a mask on one face and at least one layer on an opposite face, defining a scribeline in the mask, and selectively removing a portion of the at least one layer which at least partially overlies the scribeline as well as a method of preparing a pellicle, the method including: providing a pellicle core, and removing at least some material from at least one face of the pellicle core in a non-oxidising environment. In any aspect, the pellicle may include a metal nitride layer.