Abstract: A grating structure for a diffractive optic includes grating lines, each of which is approximated by successive segments. Longitudinal axes of the segments each have an angle relative to a first coordinate axis of a reference coordinate system. A first section of a first one of the grating lines is approximated by a first group of the segments, and a second section adjacent to the first section of the first grating line is approximated by a second group of segments. The longitudinal axes of a major portion of the segments of the first group have a first predetermined angle relative to the first coordinate axis of the reference coordinate system, and the longitudinal axes of a major portion of the segments of the second group have a second predetermined angle different from the first predetermined angle relative to the first coordinate axis of the reference coordinate system.

Abstract: Provided are a reflective mask blank, having a phase shift film having little dependence of phase difference and reflectance on film thickness, and a reflective mask. The reflective mask blank is characterized in that the phase shift film is composed of a material comprised of an alloy having two or more types of metal so that reflectance of the surface of the phase shift film is more than 3% to not more than 20% and so as to have a phase difference of 170 degrees to 190 degrees, and when a group of metal elements that satisfies the refractive index n and the extinction coefficient k of k>?*n+? is defined as Group A and a group of metal elements that satisfies the refractive index n and the extinction coefficient k of k<?*n+? is defined as Group B, the alloy is such that the composition ratio is adjusted so that the amount of change in the phase difference is within the range of ±2 degrees and the amount of change in reflectance is within the range of ±0.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving flatness of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask blanks are disclosed. The apparatus and methods may utilize one or more of heating the backside and/or the front side of the EUV mask blank and a cooling system. Interfacial layers of the EUV mask blank are selectively heated, resulting in improved flatness of the EUV mask blanks.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a pellicle frame in a frame shape having an upper end face on which a pellicle film is to be arranged and a lower end face to face a photomask, which is characterized by being provided with a notched part from the outer side face toward inner side face of the lower end face; a pellicle including the pellicle frame as an element; and a method for peeling a pellicle from a photomask onto which the pellicle has been attached, which is characterized by inserting a peeling jig into a notched part from a side face of a pellicle frame, and moving the peeling jig in an upper end face direction of the pellicle frame in this state to peel off the pellicle from the photomask.

Abstract: A display device including a display panel that includes a display area including pixels and a non-display area around the display area. The display area may include a flat display area and at least one bending display area, and the display panel includes at least one crack detection line disposed in the at least one bending display area.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to improve centroid wavelength uniformity of EUV mask blanks are disclosed. The apparatus and methods may utilize one or more of heating the backside and/or the front side of the EUV mask blank. Selected regions and sub regions of the EUV mask blank are selectively heated, resulting in improved centroid wavelength uniformity of EUV mask blanks.

Abstract: A photomask includes a substrate, a multilayer stack disposed over the substrate and configured to reflect a radiation, a capping layer over the multilayer stack, and an anti-reflective layer over the capping layer. The anti-reflective layer comprises a first pattern, wherein the first pattern exposes the capping layer and is configured as a printable feature. The photomask also includes an absorber spaced apart from the printable feature from a top-view perspective.

Abstract: An optical assembly and a virtual reality device are provided. The optical assembly includes a light-transmitting device, a light-converging device, and a light-reflecting device. The light-transmitting device is configured to receive light of a left-eye display image and light of a right-eye display image, and transmit the light of the left-eye display image and the light of the right-eye display image to a light-converging device. The light-converging device is configured to converge the light of the left-eye display image and the light of the right-eye display image to a light-reflecting device. A size of a first display image formed by converging the light of the left-eye display image is smaller than a size of the left-eye display image, and a size of a second display image formed by converging the light of the right-eye display image is smaller than a size of the right-eye display image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pellicle frame including a frame base, a black anodized film formed on a surface of the frame base and having a thickness of 2.0 to 7.5 ?m, and a transparent polymer electrodeposition coating film formed on the anodized film, and a production method thereof; and to a pellicle including the pellicle frame and a pellicle film provided on one end face of the pellicle frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a photomask and a method for repairing a photomask. The photomask includes a substrate, a reflective multi-layer stack over the substrate, a capping layer over the reflective multi-layer stack, an absorber layer over the capping layer, a first patch layer in direct contact with the absorber layer, and a second patch layer over a surface of the first patch layer.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for repairing an optical element disposed in a vacuum chamber while the optical element is in the vacuum chamber. An exposed surface of the optical element is exposed to an ion flux generated by an ion source to remove at least some areas of the surface that have been damaged by exposure to the environment within the vacuum chamber. The method and apparatus are especially applicable to repair multilayer mirrors serving as collectors in systems for generating EUV light for use in semiconductor photolithography.

Abstract: A blankmask for extreme ultraviolet lithography includes a reflection film, a capping film, and an absorbing film that are sequentially formed on a transparent substrate, in which the reflection film has a surface roughness of 0.5 nm Ra or less. It is possible to prevent footing of an EUV photomask pattern from occurring, improving flatness of an EUV blankmask, and prevent oxidation and defects of a capping film.

Abstract: A catalyst including: a first layer including a transition metal; a base layer; and an interlayer, wherein the interlayer is disposed between the base layer and the first layer is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for preparing a catalyst as well as for synthesizing graphene, a pellicle produced using the catalyst or methods disclosed herein, as well as a lithography apparatus including such a pellicle.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and are disclosed for measuring refractive index of an absorber material used in EUV phase shift masks. The method and apparatus utilize a reference measurement and as series of reflectance measurements at a range of EUV wavelengths and thickness values for the absorber material to determine the refractive index of the absorber material.

Abstract: Methods of coating extreme ultraviolet (EUV) reticle carrier assemblies are disclosed. The method includes depositing an adhesion layer on the EUV reticle carrier assembly, depositing at least one EUV absorber layer on the EUV reticle carrier assembly and depositing a stress-relieving layer on EUV reticle carrier assembly. The coated EUV reticle carrier assemblies exhibit reduced particle defect generation during EUV mask blank manufacturing.

Abstract: A pellicle for a reflective mask includes a pellicle body, a pellicle frame below the pellicle body to support the pellicle body, and a pattern structure in at least a part of a surface of the pellicle body, wherein the pattern structure includes a plurality of patterns.

Abstract: An EUV reflective structure includes a substrate and multiple pairs of a Si layer and a Mo layer. The Si layer includes a plurality of cavities.

Abstract: An overlay mark includes a first, a second, a third, and a fourth component. The first component is located in a first region of the first overlay mark and includes a plurality of gratings that extend in a first direction. The second component is located in a second region of the first overlay mark and includes a plurality of gratings that extend in the first direction. The third component is located in a third region of the first overlay mark and includes a plurality of gratings that extend in a second direction different from the first direction. The fourth component is located in a fourth region of the first overlay mark and includes a plurality of gratings that extend in the second direction. The first region is aligned with the second region. The third region is aligned with the fourth region.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a substrate includes receiving a photomask substrate comprising a multilayered reflective structure disposed over a surface of the photomask substrate, a capping layer disposed on the multilayered reflective structure and an absorber, wherein the photomask substrate has a plurality of conductive nanoparticles disposed over the surface; applying a first mixture comprising a SC1 solution, a DI water and O3 to the photomask substrate to remove the conductive nanoparticles; and applying a DI water to rinse the photomask substrate. A removal rate of the conductive nanoparticles is greater than approximately 90%.

Abstract: A multi-layer reflective structure is disposed over the substrate. An amorphous capping layer is disposed over the multi-layer reflective structure. The amorphous capping layer may contain ruthenium, oxygen, niobium, nitrogen, tantalum, or zirconium. An amorphous layer may also be disposed between the multi-layer reflective structure and the amorphous capping layer. The amorphous layer includes amorphous silicon, amorphous silicon oxide, or amorphous silicon nitride.

Abstract: An etching apparatus and an etching method thereof are provided. An end point detector detects a light intensity at a specific wavelength for light generated when an etching process is performed on a material to be processed, and generates an end point detection signal. The material to be processed includes a material layer and at least one mask layer formed on the material layer. A control device determines an etching completion time of the mask layer according to the end point detection signal, calculates a thickness of the mask layer according to the etching completion time, and adjusts an etching time of the material layer according to the thickness of the mask layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a photomask includes selectively exposing portions of a photomask blank to radiation to change an optical property of the portions of the photomask blank exposed to the radiation, thereby forming a pattern of exposed portions of the photomask blank and unexposed portions of the photomask blank. The pattern corresponds to a pattern of semiconductor device features.

Abstract: In the present invention, an etching stopper film (2), a light-blocking film (3) comprising a material containing one or more elements selected from among silicon and tantalum, and a hard mask film (4) are laminated in that order on a translucent substrate (1). The etching stopper film is made of a material containing chromium, oxygen and carbon, the chromium content is 50 atom % or more, the maximum peak in a N1s narrow spectrum obtained by means of analysis using X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy is below the detection limit, and a Cr2p narrow spectrum obtained by means of analysis using X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy has a maximum peak at a bond energy of 574 eV or less.

Abstract: A blankmask for EUV includes a substrate, a reflection film that is stacked on the substrate; and an absorbing film that is stacked on the reflection film. The reflection film includes at least one Mo/Si layer that includes a Mo layer and a Si layer, and at least one Ru/Si layer that includes a Ru layer and a Si layer. Interdiffusion between the respective layers forming the reflection film is suppressed in a blankmask for EUV having a reflection film. Accordingly, the reflectance of the blankmask is improved, and the decrease in reflectance due to use after the manufacturing is prevented, thereby extending the life of the photomask.

Abstract: The present invention provides an array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof. The manufacturing method of the array substrate adopts a multi-stage mask to expose and develop, so that a thickness of a remaining photoresist layer in a channel region corresponding to a display region is same as a thickness of a remaining photoresist layer in a channel region corresponding to a GOA region. Therefore, the two channel regions can be completely etched to prevent short-circuiting, and make up for defects of different action efficiency of developers caused by different densities of thin film transistors in the display region and the GOA region.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming at least one fiducial mark on a photomask outside of a pattern region of the photomask, and the at least one fiducial mark includes identifying information for the photomask. The method includes defining a pattern including a plurality of sub-patterns on the photomask in the pattern region based on the identifying information. The defining of the pattern includes defining a first sub-pattern of the plurality of sub-patterns having a first spacing from a second sub-pattern of the plurality of sub-patterns, wherein the first spacing is different from a second spacing between the second sub-pattern and a third sub-pattern of the plurality of sub-patterns, or rotating the first sub-pattern about an axis perpendicular to a top surface of the photomask relative to the second sub-pattern. The method includes transferring the pattern from the photomask to a wafer.

Abstract: A pellicle characterized by having an amount of released aqueous gas of 1×10?3 Pa·L/s or less per pellicle, an amount of released hydrocarbon-based gas of 1×10?5 Pa·L/s or less per pellicle in a range of measured mass number of 45 to 100 amu, and an amount of released hydrocarbon-based gas of 4×10?7 Pa·L/s or less per pellicle in a range of measured mass number of 101 to 200 amu, under vacuum after the pellicle has been left to stand for 10 minutes in an atmosphere of 23° C. and 1×10?3 Pa or less.

Abstract: A phase shift mask blank has a transparent substrate and a phase shift film formed on the transparent substrate. The phase shift film has a phase difference of 160 to 200° and a transmittance of 3 to 15% at exposure wavelength of 200 nm or less and includes a lower layer and an upper layer in order from the transparent substrate side. The upper layer contains transition metal, silicon, nitrogen and/or oxygen, or silicon, nitrogen and/or oxygen. The lower layer contains chromium, silicon, nitrogen and/or oxygen, and the content of silicon is 3% or more to less than 15% for the sum of chromium and silicon in the lower layer. The ratio of oxygen content to the total content of chromium and silicon is less than 1.7, and etching selectivity of the upper layer is 10 or more compared to the lower layer in fluorine-based dry etching.

Abstract: A photomask assembly may be formed such that stress relief trenches are formed in a pellicle frame of the photomask assembly. The stress relief trenches may reduce or prevent damage to a pellicle that may otherwise result from deformation of the pellicle. The stress relief trenches may be formed in areas of the pellicle frame to allow the pellicle frame to deform with the pellicle, thereby reducing the amount damage to the pellicle caused by the pellicle frame.

Abstract: A method for mask data synthesis and mask making includes calibrating an optical proximity correction (OPC) model by adjusting a plurality of parameters including a first parameter and a second parameter, wherein the first parameter indicates a long-range effect caused by an electron-beam lithography tool for making a mask used to manufacture a structure, and the second parameter indicates a geometric feature of a structure or a manufacturing process to make the structure, generating a device layout, calculating a first grid pattern density map of the device layout, generating a long-range correction map, at least based on the calibrated OPC model and the first grid pattern density map of the device layout, and performing an OPC to generate a corrected mask layout, at least based on the generated long-range correction map and the calibrated OPC model.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fabrication method of a photomask. The method of fabricating a photomask provides for a layout of patterns to be designed. The layout of patterns may be formed on a wafer on which chips are formed. The layout of patterns are corrected to provide a layout of a photoresist pattern serving as an etching mask for forming the patterns on the wafer while generating a flare map of the patterns. An optical proximity correction (OPC) may be performed at a chip level on the corrected layout of patterns to perform a secondary correction of the layout of patterns. A second OPC may be performed at a level of a shot which includes a plurality of ones of the chips by reflecting the flare map on the second corrected layout of patterns to a third corrected layout of patterns.

Abstract: A reflective mask blank including a substrate, and a multilayer reflection film for EUV light reflection, a protection film, and an absorber film for EUV light absorption formed on one main surface of the substrate in this order from the substrate side, and a conductive film formed on another main surface of the substrate, a coordinate reference mark is formed on the other main surface side.

Abstract: A method of plasma etching includes receiving, by a plasma processing apparatus, a substrate into a processing chamber of the plasma processing apparatus. The substrate includes an etchable layer and a first mask layer overlying the etchable layer. The first mask layer includes a plurality of openings vertically aligned with exposed regions of the etchable layer. The method further includes forming, in the processing chamber, a protective layer over the first mask layer and the exposed regions and etching, in the processing chamber, the protective layer and the exposed regions to remove the protective layer and form recesses in the etchable layer.

Abstract: A reticle for an apparatus for EUV exposure and a method of manufacturing a reticle, the reticle including a substrate including an edge region and a main region; a multi-layer structure on the main region and the edge region, a sidewall of the multi-layer structure overlying the edge region; a capping layer covering an upper surface and the sidewall of the multi-layer structure and at least a portion of the edge region of the substrate; and an absorber layer on the capping layer, the absorber layer covering an entire upper surface of the capping layer on the edge region of the substrate, wherein a stacked structure of the capping layer and the absorber layer is on an upper surface of the edge region of the substrate, and a sidewall of the stacked structure of the capping layer and the absorber layer is perpendicular to an upper surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Examples of a multiple-mask multiple-exposure lithographic technique and suitable masks are provided herein. In some examples, a photomask includes a die area and a stitching region disposed adjacent to the die area and along a boundary of the photomask. The stitching region includes a mask feature for forming an integrated circuit feature and an alignment mark for in-chip overlay measurement.

Abstract: Optical grating components and methods of forming are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes providing an optically transparent substrate, and forming an optical grating layer on the substrate. The method includes forming an optical grating in the optical grating layer, wherein the optical grating comprises a plurality of angled components, disposed at a non-zero angle of inclination with respect to a perpendicular to a plane of the substrate. A first sidewall of the optical grating may have a first angle, and a second sidewall of the grating has a second angle different than the first angle. Modifying process parameters, including selectivity and beam angle spread, has an effect of changing a shape or dimension of the plurality of angled components.

Abstract: A photolithographic mask assembly according to the present disclosure accompanies a photolithographic mask. The photolithographic mask includes a capping layer over a substrate and an absorber layer disposed over the capping layer. The absorber layer includes a first main feature area, a second main feature area, and a venting feature area disposed between the first main feature area and the second main feature area. The venting feature area includes a plurality of venting features.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a thickness of a film on a substrate includes detecting atomic force responses of the film to exposure of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The use of atomic force microscopy to evaluate thicknesses of thin films avoids underlayer noise commonly encountered when optical metrology techniques are utilized to evaluate film thicknesses. Such underlayer noise adversely impacts the accuracy of the thickness evaluation.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a pellicle frame characterized by including a metal or alloy having a linear expansion coefficient of 10×10?6 (1/K) or less and further a density of 4.6 g/cm3 or less, and a pellicle characterized by including the pellicle frame as an element.

Abstract: A method of forming an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask includes forming a multilayer Mo/Si stack comprising alternating stacked Mo and Si layers over a mask substrate; forming a ruthenium capping layer over the multilayer Mo/Si stack; doping the ruthenium capping layer with a halogen element, a pentavalent element, a hexavalent element or combinations thereof; forming an absorber layer over the ruthenium capping layer; and etching the absorber layer to form a pattern in the absorber layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a shadow mask includes depositing a chrome etch mask layer on a substrate. The substrate includes a silicon handle wafer, a buried oxide layer, a single crystal silicon layer, and a backside oxide layer. The method also includes forming a patterning layer including a pattern on the chrome etch mask layer, etching the chrome etch mask layer using the patterning layer to transfer the pattern in the patterning layer into the chrome etch mask layer, and etching the pattern of the chrome etch mask layer into the single crystal silicon layer. The method further includes patterning the backside oxide layer, etching the silicon handle wafer using the patterned backside oxide layer, removing the buried oxide layer, and removing remaining portions of the patterned chrome etch mask layer and the patterning layer.

Abstract: Multi-layer photoresists, methods of forming the same, and methods of patterning a target layer using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes depositing a reflective film stack over a target layer, the reflective film stack including alternating layers of a first material and a second material, the first material having a higher refractive index than the second material; depositing a photosensitive layer over the reflective film stack; patterning the photosensitive layer to form a first opening exposing the reflective film stack, patterning the photosensitive layer including exposing the photosensitive layer to a patterned energy source, the reflective film stack reflecting at least a portion of the patterned energy source to a backside of the photosensitive layer; patterning the reflective film stack through the first opening to form a second opening exposing the target layer; and patterning the target layer through the second opening.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a lower structure including first repetitive patterns, and forming an upper structure including forming second repetitive patterns to correspond to each of the first repetitive patterns on the lower structure, and the forming second repetitive patterns includes preparing a design layout for the second repetitive patterns, forming a first correction layout including corrected second repetitive patterns by performing optical proximity correction (OPC) on the design layout, forming a second correction layout by performing position correction on the first correction layout to move a position of the corrected second repetitive patterns to correspond to a changed position of the first repetitive patterns according to physical deformation of the lower structure, manufacturing a mask using the second correction layout, and patterning a photoresist layer using the mask.

Abstract: A resist composition including a resin component whose solubility in a developing solution is changed due to the action of the acid, in which the resin component has a constitutional unit derived from a compound represented by Formula (a0-1) and a constitutional unit containing an acid decomposable group whose polarity is increased due to the action of the acid. In the formula, W represents a polymerizable group-containing group, Ya0 represents a carbon atom, Xa0 represents a group that forms a monocyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon group together with Ya0, some or all hydrogen atoms in the monocyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon group may be substituted with substituents, and Ra00 represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent.

Abstract: Method for compensating at least one defect of a mask blank, wherein the method includes the following steps: (a) obtaining data in respect of a position of the at least one defect of the mask blank; (b) obtaining design data for pattern elements which should be produced on the mask blank; (c) determining whether the at least one defect is arranged relative to a pattern element to be produced in such a way that it has substantially no effect when exposing a wafer using the mask blank that is provided with the pattern element to be produced; and (d) otherwise, displacing the at least one defect on the mask blank in such a way that it has substantially no effect when exposing the wafer using the mask blank that is provided with the pattern element to be produced.

Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet reflective element comprising a multilayer stack of absorber layers on a multilayer stack of reflective layers. The element comprises spacing layer and phase tuning layer. Methods of manufacturing extreme ultraviolet reflective elements and lithography systems including extreme ultraviolet reflective elements are also described.

Abstract: A phase shift mask includes a transparent substrate and light-shielding portions. The light-shielding portions include a first light-shielding portion, and over one side of it, a first compensating light-shielding portion, which has a first distance to the first light-shielding portion and a first width smaller than a resolution of an exposing machine utilized for an exposure process using the phase shift mask. The light-shielding portions can further include a second compensating light-shielding portion, having a second distance to another side of the first light-shielding portion and a second width smaller than the resolution of the exposing machine. The first distance and the second distance respectively allow the first and the second compensating light-shielding portion to reduce an exposure at a region corresponding to two sides of the first light-shielding portion during the exposure process. A method manufacturing an electronic component utilizing the phase shift mask is also provided.

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

Abstract: Smoothness of glass is improved. A polishing slurry (A) contains amorphous carbon and water, and a total amount of the amorphous carbon and the water is equal to or more than 90% of the whole polishing slurry in terms of mass ratio.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pellicle that can achieve both a high EUV transmittance and a uniformity in EUV transmittance by including a graphite thin film having a film thickness of 5 nm or more and 30 nm or less and a surface roughness (Sa) of 0.1 nm or more and 500 nm or less.