Abstract: A method includes forming a multi-layered reflective layer over a substrate; depositing a metal capping layer over the multi-layered reflective layer; depositing a first metal oxide layer over the metal capping layer; depositing a metal nitride layer over the first metal oxide layer; depositing a second metal oxide layer over the metal nitride layer; forming a plurality of features on the second metal oxide layer and the metal nitride layer.

Abstract: A hot spot defect detecting method and a hot spot defect detecting system are provided. In the method, hot spots are extracted from a design of a semiconductor product to define a hot spot map comprising hot spot groups, wherein local patterns in a same context of the design yielding a same image content are defined as a same hot spot group. During runtime, defect images obtained by an inspection tool performing hot scans on a wafer manufactured with the design are acquired and the hot spot map is aligned to each defect image to locate the hot spot groups. The hot spot defects in each defect image are detected by dynamically mapping the hot spot groups located in each defect image to a plurality of threshold regions and respectively performing automatic thresholding on pixel values of the hot spots of each hot spot group in the corresponding threshold region.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of patterning a semiconductor wafer using extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL). The method includes receiving an EUVL mask that includes a substrate having a low temperature expansion material, a reflective multilayer over the substrate, a capping layer over the reflective multilayer, and an absorber layer over the capping layer. The method further includes patterning the absorber layer to form a trench on the EUVL mask, wherein the trench has a first width above a target width. The method further includes treating the EUVL mask with oxygen plasma to reduce the trench to a second width, wherein the second width is below the target width. The method may also include treating the EUVL mask with nitrogen plasma to protect the capping layer, wherein the treating of the EUVL mask with the nitrogen plasma expands the trench to a third width at the target width.

Abstract: A system includes a mask. The system further includes a pellicle frame attached to the mask. The pellicle frame includes a check valve, wherein the check valve is configured to permit gas flow from a first side of the pellicle from to a second side of the pellicle frame. The pellicle frame further includes a flat bottom surface having only a single recess therein, wherein the flat bottom surface is free of an adhesive. The system further includes a gasket within the single recess.

Abstract: A pellicle for an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photomask includes a pellicle frame and a main membrane attached to the pellicle frame. The main membrane includes a plurality of nanotubes, and each of the plurality of nanotubes is covered by a coating layer containing Si and one or more metal elements.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning a photo mask, the photo mask is placed on a support such that a pattered surface faces down, and an adhesive sheet is applied to edges of a backside surface of the photo mask.

Abstract: A method includes forming a test pattern and a reference pattern in an absorption layer of a photomask structure. The test pattern has a first trench and a second trench, the reference pattern has a third trench and a fourth trench, the test pattern and the reference pattern have substantially the same dimension in a top view, and the second trench is deeper than the first trench, the third trench, and the fourth trench. The method further includes emitting a light beam to the test pattern to obtain a first interference pattern reflected from the test pattern, emitting the light beam to the reference pattern to obtain a second interference pattern reflected from the reference pattern; and comparing the first interference pattern with the second interference pattern to obtain a measured complex refractive index of the absorption layer.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a pellicle for an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photomask, a nanotube layer including a plurality of carbon nanotubes is formed, the nanotube layer is attached to a pellicle frame, and a solvent dipping treatment is performed to the nanotube layer by applying bubbles in a solvent to the nanotube layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coordinate detecting method for a touch panel. Firstly, a plurality of X-axis and Y-axis I/O ports are converted to a plurality of X-axis and Y-axis scanning wires respectively by orthogonal method. Polling signals are transmitted to X-axis I/O ports, and are transmitted to the X-axis scanning wires. According to the polling signals, a plurality of X-axis detection signals are stored. A largest X-axis detection signal and a second largest X-axis detection signal are determined by compared method so as to calculate a X coordinate position of the sensor pen touching the touch panel. The steps are repeated to calculate the Y coordinate position of the sensor pen touching on the touch panel. According to the coordinate detecting method of the invention, the number of the I/O ports can be reduced, and the resolution of the touch panel can be improved.