IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,541,144
Granted Patent B2
US 12,541,144 · App. 17/989,425 · Granted Feb 3, 2026

Phase shift blankmask and photomask for EUV lithography

Inventors: Yong-Dae Kim (Daegu, KR); Jong-Hwa Lee (Daegu, KR); Chul-Kyu Yang (Daegu, KR)
Assignee: S&S TECH Co., Ltd.
G03F1/26G03F1/24
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,541,144
App. No.
17/989,425
Granted
Feb 3, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed is a blankmask for EUV lithography, including a reflective film, a capping film and a phase shift film which are sequentially formed on a substrate. The phase shift film includes a first layer containing niobium (Nb) and chrome (Cr), and a second layer containing tantalum (Ta) and silicon (Si). In the first layer, the content of niobium (Nb) ranges from 20 to 50 at %, and the content of chrome (Cr) content ranges from 10 to 40 at %. The blankmask can implement an excellent resolution and NILS, and implement a low DtC.

Claims (14)

1 . A blankmask for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, comprising a substrate, a reflective film formed on the substrate, a capping film formed on the reflective film, and a phase shift film formed on the capping film,

the phase shift film comprising:

a first layer formed on the capping film, containing chrome (Cr) and niobium (Nb) and further containing one or more of oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and carbon (C), having a thickness of 30 to 60 nm, and having a refractive index (n) of 0.925 to 0.935 and an extinction coefficient (k) of 0.015 to 0.025 with respect to exposure light having a wavelength of 13.5 nm, and

a second layer formed on the first layer and containing tantalum (Ta) and further containing one or more of oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and carbon (C), having a thickness of 2 to 10 nm, and having a refractive index (n) of 0.940 to 0.960 and an extinction coefficient (k) of 0.025 to 0.035 with respect to exposure light having a wavelength of 13.5 nm.

2 . The blankmask of claim 1 , wherein content of niobium in the first layer ranges from 20 to 50 at %.

3 . The blankmask of claim 1 , wherein content of chrome (Cr) in the first layer ranges from 10 to 40 at %.

4 . The blankmask of claim 1 , wherein content of nitrogen (N) in the first layer ranges from 10 to 60 at %.

5 . The blankmask of claim 1 , wherein the first layer has a thickness of 80% or more of a total thickness of the phase shift film.

6 . The blankmask of claim 1 , wherein content of tantalum (Ta) in the second layer is higher than or equal to 50 at %.

7 . The blankmask of claim 6 , wherein the second layer further contains boron (B).

8 . The blankmask of claim 7 , wherein content of boron (B) in the second layer ranges from 5 to 20 at %.

9 . The blankmask of claim 6 , wherein the second layer has a surface reflectivity of 40% or lower to inspection light having a wavelength of 193 nm.

10 . The blankmask of claim 1 , wherein the phase shift film has a relative reflectivity of 6 to 15% to the reflective film with respect to exposure light having a wavelength of 13.5 nm.

11 . A photomask prepared using the blankmask for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography of claim 1 .

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 17, 2022
From: KIM, YONG-DAE; LEE, JONG-HWA; YANG, CHUL-KYU
To: S&S TECH CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 061815/0893 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2022-0131243 · Oct 13, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240126162A1 · Apr 18, 2024
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