Abstract:
Method and apparatus for exposing photo resists using programmable masks increases imaging resolution to provide fully dense integrated circuit patterns made of very small features on photoresist-coated silicon wafers by optical lithography. Small features are created by means of overlap exposure with either programmable or conventional masks. Blocking photoresists responding differently to two different wavelengths of light, two-color photoresists requiring two wavelengths of light to change solubility, and two-photon photoresists which change solubility only by absorbing two photons at a time may be used.
Abstract:
Semiconductor nano-particles, due to their specific physical properties, can be used as optical modulator and reversible photo-bleachable materials for a wide spectrum, from far infrared to deep U.V. In this patent, nano-particles are provided with control circuitry to form a programmable mask. The optical characteristics of the nano-particles change to provide patterned light. Such patterned light can be used for example to expose a photoresist on a semiconductor wafer for photolithography. Other applications include, reversible contrast enhancement layer (R-CEL) in optical lithography, lithography mask inspection and writing and optical storage technologies.
Abstract:
New routes involving multi-step reversible photo-chemical reactions using two-step techniques to provide non-linear resist for lithography are described in this disclosure. They may provide exposure quadratically dependant on the intensity of the light. Several specific examples, including but not limited to using nanocrystals, are also described. Combined with double patterning, these approaches may create sub-diffraction limit feature density.
Abstract:
Semiconductor nano-particles, due to their specific physical properties, can be used as optical modulator and reversible photo-bleachable materials for a wide spectrum, from far infrared to deep U.V. In this patent, nano-particles are provided with control circuitry to form a programmable mask. The optical characteristics of the nano-particles change to provide patterned light. Such patterned light can be used for example to expose a photoresist on a semiconductor wafer for photolithography. Other applications include, reversible contrast enhancement layer (R-CEL) in optical lithography, lithography mask inspection and writing and optical storage technologies.