Patent · US Expired

Process and apparatus to adjust exposure dose in lithography systems

US6346979B1 · kind B1 · utility

34Cited by
11References
36Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 17, 1999
Grant dateFeb 12, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 17, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F7/70558
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A process and apparatus for dynamically adjusting the exposure dose on a photosensitive coating at a localized area within an exposure field in a step-and-scan lithography system. The process and apparatus form a pattern on a photosensitive substrate, such as used in the integrated circuit manufacturing industry. The exposure dose is adjusted at a localized area by a segmented slit system or an array of light-transmitting pixels located across the exposure field. The slit segments or individual pixels are automatically controlled in response to data obtained regarding the uniformity of the projection optics system or the mask pattern.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.