Patent · US Active

Pellicle, methods of fabrication and methods of use for extreme ultraviolet lithography

US7666555B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
3References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 29, 2006
Grant dateFeb 23, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 7, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F1/24
  • WIPO fieldMicro-structural and nano-technology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Embodiments of a pellicle, methods of fabrication and methods of use in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photolithography are disclosed. The pellicle may include a wire mesh with a square or hexagonal geometric configuration. A thin film of a material with a high Young's modulus may be coated on at least one surface of the wire mesh. A method of fabrication may include forming at least one sacrificial layer on a surface of the wire mesh, forming a thin film on another surface of the wire mesh, and removing the sacrificial layer to form a pellicle. A method of use may include positioning a pellicle relative to a photomask to protect the photomask from particulate accumulation during an EUV photolithography process.

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