Patent · US Active

Three photomask sidewall image transfer method

US8716133B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
2References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 23, 2012
Grant dateMay 6, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 24, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/31144
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A three photomask image transfer method. The method includes using a first photomask, defining a set of mandrels on a hardmask layer on a substrate; forming sidewall spacers on sidewalls of the mandrels, the sidewall spacers spaced apart; removing the set of mandrels; using a second photomask, removing regions of the sidewall spacers forming trimmed sidewall spacers and defining a pattern of first features; forming a pattern transfer layer on the trimmed sidewall spacers and the hardmask layer not covered by the trimmed sidewall spacers; using a third photomask, defining a pattern of second features in the transfer layer, at least one of the second features abutting at least one feature of the pattern of first features; and simultaneously transferring the pattern of first features and the pattern of second features into the hardmask layer thereby forming a patterned hardmask layer.

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