Patent · US Expired

Optical error minimization in a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus

US7098996B1 · kind B1 · utility

1Cited by
10References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 7, 2005
Grant dateAug 29, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 7, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F7/70983
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Provided are systems and methods for overcoming optical errors occurring from reticle and other hardware usage in a semiconductor fabrication apparatus. The systems and methods minimize optical errors, such as those resulting from gravitational sag on a reticle or mask, for a pattern being projected onto a wafer. The reduced errors allow larger reticles and masks to be used—while maintaining optical accuracy; and also improve optical budget management.

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