Abstract: The blank mask according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a transparent substrate and a multilayer light shielding film disposed on the transparent substrate. The multilayer light shielding film comprises a transition metal and at least any one between oxygen and nitrogen. The multilayer light shielding film comprises a first light shielding film and a second light shielding film disposed on the first light shielding film. The multilayer light shielding film comprises total nine parts that are formed by trisection in a width direction and a length direction of an upper surface of the multilayer light shielding film. Each part of the multilayer light shielding film comprises a measuring range disposed in a side thereof.

Abstract: A method includes: forming a patterned dielectric layer, including a predetermined word line region and a predetermined pick-up neck region being separated by a first distance, and the patterned dielectric layer within the predetermined pick-up neck region has a second distance, wherein the first distance is smaller than or equal to the second distance; forming a spacer on sidewalls of the patterned dielectric layer; cutting off the spacer of a connecting portion of the predetermined word line region from the spacer of a remaining portion of the predetermined word line region; forming a mask pattern, including a first portion across the connecting portion and the predetermined pick-up neck region, wherein the spacer at the remaining portion is spaced apart from the first portion; and forming a dummy structure, word lines, and pick-up necks, wherein the dummy structure is located between the word lines and the pick-up necks.

Abstract: A mask for use in a semiconductor lithography process includes a substrate, a mask pattern disposed on the substrate, and a light absorbing border surrounding the mask pattern. The light absorbing border is inset from at least two edges of the substrate to define a peripheral region outside of the light absorbing border. In some designs, a first peripheral region extends from an outer perimeter of the light absorbing border to a first edge of the substrate, and a second peripheral region that extends from the outer perimeter of the light absorbing border to a second edge of the substrate, where the first edge of the substrate and the second edge of the substrate are on opposite sides of the mask pattern.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to encapsulated optical devices and methods of forming optical devices with controllable air-gapped encapsulation. In one embodiment, a plurality of openings are formed in a support layer surrounding the plurality of optical device structures to create a high refractive index contrast between the optical device structures, the support layer, and the openings. In another embodiment, sacrificial material is disposed in-between the optical device structures and then an encapsulation layer is disposed on the optical device structures. The sacrificial material is removed, forming a space bounded by the encapsulation layer, the substrate, and each of the optical device structures. In yet another embodiment, the encapsulation layer is disposed over the optical device structures forming a space bounded by the encapsulation layer, the substrate, and each of the optical device structures.

Abstract: A method for repairing at least one defect of a lithographic mask comprises the step of: ascertaining parameters of at least one repair shape for the at least one defect, wherein ascertaining parameters comprises: allocating at least one numerical value to a parameter, wherein the numerical value deviates from the numerical value predefined by the at least one defect for said parameter.

Abstract: A blank mask includes a transparent substrate and a multilayer light shielding film disposed on the transparent substrate, the multilayer light shielding film including a transition metal and at least any one between oxygen and nitrogen, the multilayer light shielding film including a first light shielding film and a second light shielding film disposed on the first light shielding film, and the multilayer light shielding film having an EA (Edge side Area damaged) value of 2 nm2 or less.

Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor devices by enhancing selective deposition are described. In some embodiments, a blocking layer is deposited on a metal surface before deposition of a barrier layer. The methods include exposing a substrate with a metal surface, a dielectric surface and an aluminum oxide surface or an aluminum nitride surface to a blocking molecule to form the blocking layer selectively on the metal surface over the dielectric surface and one of the aluminum oxide surface or the aluminum nitride surface.

Abstract: A display device includes a light emitting part disposed on a substrate, where the light emitting part includes a common layer, and a separator disposed on the substrate to surround the light emitting part on a plane, where a length of an upper portion of the separator is greater than a length of a lower portion of the separator in a cross-section, and an open portion is defined in the separator.

Abstract: A lithography mask includes a substrate that contains a low thermal expansion material (LTEM). The lithography mask also includes a reflective structure disposed over the substrate. The reflective structure includes a first layer and a second layer disposed over the first layer. At least the second layer is porous. The mask is formed by forming a multilayer reflective structure over the LTEM substrate, including forming a plurality of repeating film pairs, where each film pair includes a first layer and a porous second layer. A capping layer is formed over the multilayer reflective structure. An absorber layer is formed over the capping layer.

Abstract: A photoresist composition, a method of forming a pattern, and a method of synthesizing 6-nitrochrysene, the photoresist composition includes a polymer resin; a photo acid generator; a quencher; an organic solvent; and an etching resistance enhancer, wherein the etching resistance enhancer is represented by the following Chemical Formula 1,

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a blank mask and the like, and comprises a transparent substrate, a phase shift film disposed on the transparent substrate, and a light shielding film disposed on the phase shift film. The blank mask has a TFT1 value of 0.25 ?m/100° C. or less expressed by Equation 1 below: TFT ? ? 1 = ? ? ? PM T ? ? 2 - T ? ? 1 [ Equation ? ? 1 ] where, when the thermal variation of the processed blank mask, which is formed by processing the thickness of the transparent substrate of the blank mask to be 0.6 mm and removing the light shielding film, is analyzed in a thermomechanical analyzer, the measuring temperature of the thermomechanical analyzer is increased from T1 to T2, and ?PM is a position change of the upper surface of the phase shift film in the thickness direction at T2, based on a position of the upper surface of the phase shift film at T1.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing by photolithography a resin multilayer mould (10; 10?) including a cavity (11; 11?) provided with an inlet (110; 110?) for the manufacture of a horological component, including producing at least two resin layers of the mould (10; 10?), by producing a first resin layer (C10; C20?) having a first through-opening or open opening (111; 111?) oriented in the direction of the inlet (110; 110?) of the mould to delimit a first volume of the cavity (11; 11?) of the mould (10, 10?), and producing a second resin layer (C20; C30?) including a rigid film and having a second through-opening (112; 112?) that delimits a second volume of the cavity (11; 11?) of the mould (10, 10?) and is at least partly superposed on the first through-opening or open opening (111; 111?), the second resin layer partly covering that same first through-opening or open opening (111; 111?).

Abstract: Proposed is a process liquid composition for improving a lifting defect level of a photoresist pattern containing a surfactant and for reducing the number of defects of the photoresist pattern, the composition containing a surfactant and having a surface tension of 40 mN/m or less and a contact angle of 60° or smaller in the photoresist pattern having hydrophobicity represented by a contact angle of 70° or greater of water with respect to a photoresist surface in a photoresist pattern process.

Abstract: A reflective optical element (17), in particular for an illumination optical unit of a projection exposure apparatus includes: a structured surface (25a) that preferably forms a grating structure (29), and a reflective coating (36) that is applied to the structured surface (25a). The reflective coating (36) covers the structured surface (25a) discontinuously, and the reflective optical element (17) has at least one protective layer (37) that covers the structured surface (25a) continuously. Also disclosed are an illumination optical unit (4) for a projection exposure apparatus (1) including at least one reflective optical element (17) of this type, to a projection exposure apparatus (1) including an illumination optical unit (4) of this type, and to a method for producing a protective layer (37) on a reflective optical element (17) of this type.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of overlay measurement are disclosed. An example apparatus includes: a substrate comprising first material; a first layer comprising second material disposed on a surface of in the substrate; a first alignment pattern including third material disposed in the first layer; and a second layer above the first layer including a second alignment pattern. A difference between refractive indexes of the second material and the third material is greater than a difference between refractive indexes of the first material and the third material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a master for use in a wafer-scale replication process is disclosed. The method comprises at least one step of forming a layer of photoresist on a substrate and exposing the layer of photoresist to a radiation pattern to form at least one patterned layer. The method also comprises a step of developing the at least one patterned layer to provide one or more structures defining the master. In an embodiment, the at least one step of forming the layer of photoresist comprises a process of dry film lamination.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing phase masks for lens-less camera includes: a light source; a digital image mirror that receives a two-dimensional map, reflects the light irradiated from the light source with different intensities for each location and outputs reflected light; a two-dimensional map generator for generating the 2D map for adjusting the intensity of reflected light for each position such that the phase mask has a unique pattern of a different height for each position from a point spread function acquired in advance depending on the purpose of use of the phase mask; and a material holder on which a photo-curable film is disposed that is irradiated with the reflected light and cured to different depths depending on the light intensity for each position of the irradiated reflected light.

Abstract: A resist underlayer film forming composition contains a reaction product of an aromatic compound (A) having 6 to 60 carbon atoms and a compound represented by formula (B), and a solvent. (In the formula, X represent an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom; Y represents a single bond, an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom; X and Y may combine with each other to form a ring; and each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a cyclic alkyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms or an aromatic group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms; provided that R2 is present only in cases where X is a nitrogen atom, and R4 is present only in cases where Y is a nitrogen atom.

Abstract: A method for preparing a semiconductor device structure includes forming a target layer over a semiconductor substrate, and forming a first energy-sensitive pattern over the target layer. The method also includes forming a lining layer covering the first energy-sensitive pattern, and forming a second energy-sensitive pattern over the lining layer. The first energy-sensitive pattern and the second energy-sensitive pattern are staggered. The method further includes performing an etching process to form a first opening and a second opening in the target layer. The first opening and the second opening have different depths.

Abstract: A holding mechanism includes a suction section and a sealing section. The suction section includes a suction area where a substrate is subjected to vacuum suction. The sealing section includes an elastic section having a plurality of sides arranged to surround the suction area and a plurality of corners each formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of sides, and a repulsive-force-suppressing section provided in at least one of the plurality of corners.

Abstract: An additional non-photoresist layer may be formed on patterned photoresist layers. The additional layer may be preferentially formed on the tops of the photoresist layer versus the sidewalls of the photoresist layer. In addition, the additional layer may be preferential formed on the tops of the photoresist layer versus exposed surfaces of layers underlying the photoresist layer. In this manner, the patterned structures formed by the photoresist layer are less likely to have line opens due to photoresist height variability or the relative thinness of the photoresist height used. Further, the formation of the additional layer may be through a cyclic deposition/trim process. The trim step of the cyclic process may also serve as a descum step that helps reduce line bridging and scumming. In one embodiment, the additional non-photoresist layer may be an organic polymer layer.

Abstract: The composition contains: a compound which has a group represented by formula (1); and a solvent. In the formula (1), R1 and R2 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 30 ring atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group having 5 to 30 ring atoms; R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and * denotes a bonding site to a part other than the group represented by the following formula (1) in the compound.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to form a resist film that is highly sensitive and enables high-resolution patterning. The present invention relates to a resist material that comprises a polymer comprising a unit derived from a structure represented by the following formula (101). In the formula (101), R1 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group optionally having a substituent, an acyl group optionally having a substituent, an allyl group optionally having a substituent, an alkoxy group optionally having a substituent, or an alkylsilyl group optionally having a substituent, and a plurality of R1 may be the same or different. R11 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group optionally having a substituent. R2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, or a halogenated alkyl group; and Y1 represents a single bond or a linking group.

Abstract: In a plasma processing apparatus, a radio-frequency power supply adjusts frequencies of radio-frequency power in each bias cycle of electrical bias energy. The radio-frequency power supply uses a reference time series of frequencies of the radio-frequency power in each bias cycle. The radio-frequency power supply repeats using a changed time series of frequencies of the radio-frequency power in each bias cycle to increase a degree of match based on an evaluation value. The changed time series results from shifting the reference time series by a phase shift amount, scaling the reference time series in a frequency direction, or scaling two or more of multiple time zones of the reference time series in a time direction.

Abstract: A resin supply apparatus includes a calculation unit for calculating a resin supply pattern based on the shape of a cavity of a resin sealing mold, and a supply unit for supplying a resin to an object to be coated along the resin supply pattern. The resin supply pattern has a plurality of linear paths, and one of mutually adjacent linear paths is inclined with respect to an axis of symmetry that divides a cavity in line symmetry, the other one of the mutually adjacent linear paths is inclined with respect to the one linear path, and a region between the mutually adjacent linear paths is opened to the outside of the object to be coated, at least on a side on which the other linear path is separated from the one linear path.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for methods of making substrates having an (AR) antireflective layer, substrates having an antireflective layer, devices including a substrate having an antireflective layer, and the like. The AR layer can have a total specular reflection of less than 10% at a wavelength of about 400-800 nm, and a height of about 500-1000 nm.

Abstract: A reflective mask blank for EUV lithography includes: a substrate; a multilayer reflective film for reflecting EUV light; and a phase shift film for shifting a phase of EUV light, the multilayer reflective film and the phase shift film formed on or above the substrate in this order. The phase shift film includes a layer 1 including ruthenium (Ru) and at least one selected from the group consisting of oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N). Among diffraction peaks derived from the phase shift film observed at 2?: from 20° to 50° by out-of-plane XRD method, a peak having the highest intensity has a half value width FWHM of 1.0° or more.

Abstract: Dry development of resists can be useful, for example, to form a patterning mask in the context of high-resolution patterning. Dry development may be advantageously accomplished by a method of processing a semiconductor substrate including providing in a process chamber a photopatterned resist on a substrate layer on a semiconductor substrate, and dry developing the photopatterned resist by removing either an exposed portion or an unexposed portion of the resist by a dry development process comprising exposure to a chemical compound to form a resist mask. The resist may be an EUV-sensitive organo-metal oxide or organo-metal-containing thin film EUV resist.

Abstract: A method for photoresist-free photolithography to pattern a surface of conductor or semiconductor substrate and deposit a material includes surface cleaning and irradiating a surface through a mask with VUV photons from a lamp. Photons are generated with a VUV lamp having a wavelength of 160 nm-200 nm and with an intensity sufficient to alter the surface. The photons are directed through a mask pattern to alter the surface chemistry or structure in those areas of the substrate defined by the mask. Material is selectively deposited onto the surface, in those portions of the surface that are exposed to the VUV photons, or unexposed to the VUV photons, depending on the substrate surface. A method uses a seed film and then electroplates metal onto the seed film in the mask pattern. A method provides for electroless deposition of metal and another for altering surface chemistry in the mask pattern.

Abstract: A method for forming a micro-lens array is provided. According to the method, a substrate is provided, and a hard-mask layer is formed. A lithography process is performed on the hard-mask layer by a hard-mask to form a first pattern and a second pattern. Then, the first pattern and the second pattern are reflowed to form a first lens structure and a second lens structure respectively. The photomask includes a first pattern segment and a second pattern segment, and the second pattern segment includes a transparent region and an opaque region. An area of the transparent region of the second pattern segment is larger than 18% of an area of the second pattern segment.

Abstract: A method for forming a device structure is disclosed. The method of forming a device structure includes forming a variable-depth structure in a device material layer using a laser ablation. A plurality of device structures is formed in the variable-depth structure to define slanted device structures therein. The variable-depth structure and the slanted device structures are formed using an etch process.

Abstract: A resist composition containing a silicon-containing resin, an acid generator component which generates an acid upon exposure, and a photodecomposable base which controls diffusion of the acid generated from the acid generator component upon exposure, in which the silicon content proportion in the silicon-containing resin is in a range of 20% to 25% with respect to a total amount of all atoms constituting the silicon-containing resin.

Abstract: A method of monitoring compliance with filter specification during the implantation of ions into a substrate reading a signature of the filter and comparing the read signature with filter signatures stored in a database to identify properties of the filter including at least one of a maximum allowable temperature of the filter and a maximum allowable accumulated ion dose of the filter. The temperature and/or the accumulated ion dose of the filter is measured while ions are implanted into the substrate by an ion beam passing through the filter. The implantation is terminated when the measured temperature or accumulated ion dose of the filter reaches or exceeds the maximum allowable threshold.

Abstract: A deposition apparatus includes a chamber, a mask assembly disposed in the chamber and including an open sheet including a first area in which a first deposition hole is defined and a second area in which a second deposition hole spaced apart from the first deposition hole is defined, a first mask including multiple deposition openings that overlap the first area, and a second mask including multiple deposition openings that overlap the second area, a deposition substrate disposed on the mask assembly, and a deposition source spraying a deposition material to the mask assembly.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming one or more work function layers over a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a hardmask layer over the one or more work function layers. The method includes forming an adhesion layer over the hardmask layer. The method includes removing a first portion of a patternable layer that is disposed over the hardmask layer. The adhesion layer comprises an organic acid that concurrently bonds metal atoms of the hardmask layer and phenol groups of the patternable layer, thereby preventing an etchant from penetrating into a second portion of the patternable layer that still remains over the hardmask layer.

Abstract: A scale includes a substrate, a metal layer of Ni formed on one principal surface of the substrate, and a scale grating formed on the metal layer. A plurality of gratings of Cr are disposed at a predetermined interval in the scale grating.

Abstract: A method for building an etching-free hybrid nonlinear waveguide composed of a polymer and an ion-implanted nonlinear crystal is provided. A nonlinear crystal is pretreated, and subjected to ion implantation to obtain an ion-implanted nonlinear crystal. The ion-implanted nonlinear crystal is spin-coated with a photoresist, and subjected to electron beam exposure, heating, and developing, so as to obtain a hybrid optical waveguide composed of a polymer and a nonlinear crystal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, system, and method for a microelectromechanical (MEM) device formed on a transparent, insulating substrate. The MEM device may take the form of an electrostatic comb actuator. The fabrication process employs three-dimensional structuring of the substrate to form the actuator combs, biasing elements, and linkages. The combs and other elements of the actuator may be rendered electrically conducting by a conformal conductive coating. The conductive coating may be segmented into a plurality of electrodes without the use of standard lithography techniques. A linear-rotational actuator is provided, which may comprise two perpendicularly-arranged, linear actuators that utilize moveable linkage beams in two orthogonal dimensions. A linear or torsional ratcheting actuator is also provided by using comb actuators in conjunction with a ratcheting wheel or cog. Furthermore, several methods for electrically connecting non-contiguous or enclosed elements are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including graphene. The semiconductor device includes: a substrate including an insulator and a semiconductor; and a graphene layer configured to directly grow only on a surface of the semiconductor, wherein the semiconductor includes at least one of a group IV material and a group III-V compound.

Abstract: In one example, a method for wafer drying includes providing a surface of a first wafer, the surface of the first wafer including a liquid to be removed with a drying process. The method further includes replacing the liquid with a first solid film in a first processing chamber, the first solid film covering the surface of the first wafer. The method further includes transferring the first wafer from the first processing chamber to a second processing chamber. The method further includes processing the first wafer in the second processing chamber by flowing a supercritical fluid through the second processing chamber, where the supercritical fluid removes the first solid film.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for tuning stress transitions of films on a substrate. The method includes forming a stress-adjustment layer on the substrate, wherein the stress-adjustment layer includes first regions formed of a first material and second regions formed of a second material, wherein the first material includes a first internal stress and the second material includes a second internal stress, and wherein the first internal stress is different compared to the second internal stress; and forming transition regions between the first regions and the second regions, wherein the transition regions include an interface between the first material and the second material that has a predetermined slope that is greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A display device includes a substrate, a plurality of pixels arrayed on the substrate, an inorganic light-emitting element provided to each of the pixels, an anode electrode electrically coupled to the inorganic light-emitting element, a transistor provided on a first surface of the substrate, and coupling wiring that couples the anode electrode and the transistor. The anode electrode protrudes from an inside to an outside of the inorganic light-emitting element in planar view from a normal direction of the substrate.

Abstract: An imprinting photomask including: a transparent substrate; a light blocking pattern provided on the transparent substrate; and a dry film resist (DFR) pattern provided on the light blocking pattern.

Abstract: A method of forming patterns on a substrate by double nanoimprint processes includes providing a first replicate mold and a second replicate mold. The first replicate mold includes numerous first patterns. The second replicate mold includes at least one second pattern. The second pattern corresponds to at least one of the first patterns. Later, a first substrate is provided. A first polymeric compound layer is coated on the first substrate. Next, the first patterns are nanoimprinted into the first polymeric compound layer. Subsequently, the first substrate is etched by taking the first polymeric compound layer as a mask. After that, a second polymeric compound layer is coated on the first substrate. Later, the second pattern is nanoimprinted into the second polymeric compound layer. Finally, the first substrate is etched by taking the second polymeric compound layer as a mask.

Abstract: A multi-layer lens is disclosed which includes a plurality of dual-layer structures staked on top of one-another, wherein each dual-layer Ri of the plurality of dual-layers includes i) a first curable material having a height of ZLi cured at a predetermined curing level CA, and ii) a second curable material having a height of Zgi cured at a predetermined curing level CB.

Abstract: Methods of making metal patterns on flexible substrates are provided. Releasable solid layer is selectively formed on a patterned surface of the flexible substrate by applying a liquid solution thereon. Metal patterns on the flexible substrate can be formed by removing the releasable solid layer after metallization. In some cases, the releasable solid layer can be transferred from the patterned surface to a transfer layer where the metal patterns are formed.

Abstract: Etchant solutions, pretreatment and methods for etching electroless nickel on metallic materials are provided herein. More specifically, etchant solutions for selectively removing electroless nickel from the surface of metallic materials containing copper, and optionally as containing stainless steel, methods of etching and pretreatment are provided.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a blazed diffraction grating comprises providing a master template substrate and imprinting periodically repeating lines on the master template substrate in a plurality of master template regions. The periodically repeating lines in different ones of the master template regions extend in different directions. The method additionally comprises using at least one of the master template regions as a master template to imprint at least one blazed diffraction grating pattern on a grating substrate.

Abstract: A reflective mask blank for EUV lithography includes: a substrate; a multilayer reflective film for reflecting EUV light; and a phase shift film for shifting a phase of EUV light, the multilayer reflective film and the phase shift film formed on or above the substrate in this order. The phase shift film includes a layer 1 including ruthenium (Ru) and at least one selected from the group consisting of oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N). Among diffraction peaks derived from the phase shift film observed at 2?: from 20° to 50° by out-of-plane XRD method, a peak having the highest intensity has a half value width FWHM of 1.0° or more.

Abstract: A chemically amplified photosensitive composition used for forming a patterned resist film by photolithography on a metal surface of a substrate which at least partly has a surface consisting of metal. The composition includes an acid generator which generates an acid by irradiation of active rays or radioactive rays; and a compound and/or a precursor compound, in which the molar absorption coefficient ? at a wavelength of 365 nm of the compound is at least 3000, the compound has a metal coordination group, and the compound can be formed from the precursor compound during formation of the patterned resist film.