X-ray phase mask: nanostructures

Zheng Chen; Quinn J. Leonard; Mumit Khan; Franco Cerrina

doi:10.1117/12.275775

7 July 1997 X-ray phase mask: nanostructures

Zheng Chen, Quinn J. Leonard, Mumit Khan, Franco Cerrina

Proceedings Volume 3048, Emerging Lithographic Technologies; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.275775
Event: Microlithography '97, 1997, Santa Clara, CA, United States

Abstract

In this paper we report the results of simulations and experiments on application of phase-shifting mask to x-ray lithography (XPM). We have built an XPM with PMMA as a phase shifter; we printed patterns using the XPM and characterized the linewidth dependence on gap and dose. Small lines around 70 nm were printed at 25 micrometer gap. The resist lines have good uniformity, and aspect ratio as high as 4. The characterization experiment was performed on the Karl Suss X- ray Stepper installed at the Center for X-ray Lithography. The results show that the exposure-gap latitude window is obviously increased compared with traditional x-ray mask. XLITH has been used to analyze the aerial image under the XPM and predict linewidth. Different phase shift materials, such as PMMA, Si, SiC and Al have been simulated and characterized with respect to blur, dose and gap. The model predicts a mask contrast 6 - 7, and resolution of 50 nm using gaps around 5 micrometer. XPM is a path to nanostructures with more reasonable process latitudes. We printed sub-0.1 micrometer dots using XPM. The XPM can also be used for gate-level lithography of ultrafast MOS devices to share its high resolution and large process latitude. It is possible to form both of a fine gate line and a contact pad at the same time with the combination of phase and transmission in a single mask. An experimental demonstration of printing unclosed lines is given in this paper. The further combination of phase-edge effects and phase-shifter size can also make it possible to form a wide range of patterns, ranging from line-space to isolated bright or dark areas with varied sizes, in a single exposure.

Citation Download Citation

Zheng Chen, Quinn J. Leonard, Mumit Khan, and Franco Cerrina "X-ray phase mask: nanostructures", Proc. SPIE 3048, Emerging Lithographic Technologies, (7 July 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.275775

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