A new PSM system: SCAAM with Phase Phirst!

Author

Levenson, M.D. ; Ebihara, T. ; Desai, S. ; White, S.

Author_Institution

MD Levenson Consulting, Saratoga, CA, USA

fYear

2001

fDate

Oct. 31 2001-Nov. 2 2001

Firstpage

8

Lastpage

9

Abstract

The Sidewall Chrome Alternating Aperture Mask (SCAAM), a next generation alternating Phase Shift Mask (alt-PSM) structure, has printed 70 nm semi-dense lines and offers the potential for low cost 100 nm imaging with 248 nm light. The SCAAM reticle production process etches the phase topography first and then forms transparent openings to define the image in a conformal chrome layer deposited afterwards. The Phase Phirst! system employs ready-to-write SCAAM blanks with regular pre-patterned surface topography, chrome and resist, eliminating the cost of writing a custom phase pattern on every plate. To use this type of mask, circuit designers would have to place every near-minimum-sized circuit feature (e.g.. gate) at a predefined phase-step location. Interconnections and larger features would be defined using the trim mask.

Keywords

integrated circuit technology; nanotechnology; phase shifting masks; ultraviolet lithography; 248 nm; 70 to 100 nm; DUV lithography; SCAAM reticle production process; alternating PSM structure; alternating phase shift mask; conformal chrome layer; deep UV lithography; high-speed ASIC designs; low cost 100 nanometre imaging; phase topography; ready-to-write SCAAM blanks; regular pre-patterned surface topography; sidewall chrome alternating aperture mask; transparent openings; Apertures; Application specific integrated circuits; Costs; Economics; Etching; Integrated circuit interconnections; Production; Resists; Surface topography; Writing;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Microprocesses and Nanotechnology Conference, 2001 International

Conference_Location

Shimane, Japan

Print_ISBN

4-89114-017-8

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/IMNC.2001.984032

Filename

984032