IP Library Patent Application 18080186
Patent Application
App. No. 18/080,186

BLANK MASK AND PHOTOMASK USING THE SAME

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
18/080,186
Abstract

A blank mask includes a light-transmitting substrate; and a light-shielding film, disposed on the light-transmitting substrate, including a first light-shielding layer and a second light-shielding layer disposed on the first light-shielding layer. The second light-shielding layer includes at least one of a transition metal, oxygen, or nitrogen, or any combination thereof. A reflectance of a surface of the light-shielding film with respect to light having a wavelength of 193 nm is 20% or more and 40% or less. A hardness value of the second light-shielding layer is 0.3 kPa or more and 0.55 kPa or less.

Claims (33)

1 . A blank mask comprising:

a light-transmitting substrate; and

a light-shielding film, disposed on the light-transmitting substrate, comprising a first light-shielding layer and a second light-shielding layer disposed on the first light-shielding layer,

wherein the second light-shielding layer includes at least one of a transition metal, oxygen, or nitrogen, or any combination thereof,

a reflectance of a surface of the light-shielding film with respect to light having a wavelength of 193 nm is 20% or more and 40% or less, and

a hardness value of the second light-shielding layer is 0.3 kPa or more and 0.55 kPa or less.

2 . The blank mask of claim 1 , wherein a reflectance of the surface of the light-shielding film with respect to light having a wavelength of 350 nm is 25% or more and 45% or less.

3 . The blank mask of claim 1 , wherein:

a reflectance of the surface of the light-shielding film with respect to all light having a wavelength of 350 nm or more and 400 nm or less is included in a range of 25% or more and 50% or less; and

a reflectance of the surface of the light-shielding film with respect to all light having a wavelength of 480 nm or more and 550 nm or less is included in a range of 30% or more and 50% or less.

4 . The blank mask of claim 1 , wherein the hardness value of the second light-shielding layer is 0.15 times or more and 0.55 times or less than a hardness value of the first light-shielding layer.

5 . The blank mask of claim 1 , wherein a Young's modulus value of the second light-shielding layer is 1.0 kPa or more.

6 . The blank mask of claim 1 , wherein a Young's modulus value of the second light-shielding layer is 0.15 times or more and 0.55 times or less than a Young's modulus value of the first light-shielding layer.

7 . The blank mask of claim 1 , wherein an absolute value of a value obtained by subtracting a transition metal content of the first light-shielding layer from a transition metal content of the second light-shielding layer is 30 at % or less.

8 . The blank mask of claim 1 , wherein a thickness ratio of the first light-shielding layer and the second light-shielding layer is 1:0.02 to 0.25.

9 . The blank mask of claim 1 , wherein a film thickness of the second light-shielding layer is 30 to 200 Å.

10 . The blank mask of claim 1 , wherein the second light-shielding layer includes the transition metal at 35 at % or more and 75 at % or less.

11 . The blank mask of claim 1 , wherein the transition metal includes at least one selected from the group consisting of Cr, Ta, Ti, and Hf.

12 . A photomask comprising:

a light-transmitting substrate; and

a patterned light-shielding film, disposed on the light-transmitting substrate, comprising a first light-shielding layer and a second light-shielding layer disposed on the first light-shielding layer,

wherein the second light-shielding layer includes at least one of a transition metal, oxygen, or nitrogen, or any combination thereof,

a reflectance of an upper surface of the patterned light-shielding film with respect to light having a wavelength of 193 nm is 20% or more and 40% or less, and

a hardness value of the second light-shielding layer is 0.3 kPa or more and 0.55 kPa or less.

13 . A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising:

arranging a light source, a photomask, and a semiconductor wafer coated with a resist film;

selectively transmitting and emitting light incident from the light source through the photomask on the semiconductor wafer; and

developing a pattern on the semiconductor wafer,

wherein the photomask includes a light-transmitting substrate and a patterned light-shielding film disposed on the light-transmitting substrate,

the patterned light-shielding film includes a first light-shielding layer and a second light-shielding layer disposed on the first light-shielding layer,

the second light-shielding layer includes at least one of a transition metal and at least one of oxygen and nitrogen,

a reflectance of an upper surface of the patterned light-shielding film with respect to light having a wavelength of 193 nm is 20% or more and 40% or less, and

a hardness value of the second light-shielding layer is 0.3 kPa or more and 0.55 kPa or less.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 5, 2026
From: SK ENPULSE CO., LTD.
To: LUMINAMASK CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 074478/0876 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 9, 2023
From: SKC SOLMICS CO., LTD.
To: SK ENPULSE CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 065509/0991 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 19, 2023
From: LEE, HYUNG-JOO; KIM, KYUHUN; LEE, GEONGON; KIM, SEONG YOON; CHOI, SUK YOUNG; KIM, SUHYEON; SON, SUNG HOON; JEONG, MIN GYO; SHIN, INKYUN
To: SKC SOLMICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 062423/0886 →