IP Library Granted Patent US 7,303,843
Granted Patent B2
US 7,303,843 · App. 11/592,149 · Granted Dec 4, 2007

Photomask and method for exposing chip pattern

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,303,843
App. No.
11/592,149
Granted
Dec 4, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A photomask includes a main mask pattern having first chip patterns and having a first size corresponding to a maximum exposure area of a projection exposure apparatus. The mask further includes a sub-mask pattern having second chip patterns different from the first chip patterns, having a second size smaller than the first size, and arranged adjacently to the main mask pattern.

Claims (14)

1. A photomask for projecting, from an exposure area, a chip pattern onto a wafer, said photomask comprising:

a first mask pattern having patterns of a first chip, and having a first size corresponding to a maximum exposure area; and

a second mask pattern having patterns of a second chip, said patterns of the second chip being different from said patterns of the first chip, having a second size which is smaller than the first size, and being arranged adjacent to said first mask pattern, wherein

said photomask is alignable such that only said first mask pattern is projected onto the wafer, and

said photomask is alignable such that a portion of said first mask pattern and at least a portion of said second mask pattern are simultaneously projected onto the wafer.

2. The photomask according to claim 1 , wherein said first mask pattern is a mask pattern for mass-production.

3. The photomask according to claim 1 , wherein said first mask pattern is disposed at a center of said photomask and said second mask pattern is disposed at a periphery of said first mask pattern.

4. A photomask for projecting, from an exposure area, a chip pattern onto a wafer, said photomask comprising:

a main mask pattern having patterns of a first chip, and having a first size corresponding to a maximum exposure area; and

a sub-mask pattern having patterns of a second chip, said patterns of the second chip being different from said patterns of the first chip, having a second size which is smaller than the first size, and being arranged adjacent to said main mask pattern, wherein

said photomask is alienable such that only said main mask pattern is projected onto the wafer, and

said photomask is alienable such that a portion of said main mask pattern and at least a portion of said sub-mask pattern are simultaneously projected onto the wafer.

5. The photomask according to claim 4 , wherein said main mask pattern is a mask pattern for mass-production.

6. The photomask according to claim 4 , wherein said main mask pattern is disposed at a center of said photomask and said sub-mask pattern is disposed at a periphery of said main mask pattern.

Assignments (1)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 24, 2008
From: OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
To: OKI SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 022052/0797 →