Integration of an advanced laser writer into a manufacturing environment

Gregg Inderhees; Robert M. Kiefer

doi:10.1117/12.228207

8 December 1995 Integration of an advanced laser writer into a manufacturing environment

Gregg Inderhees, Robert M. Kiefer

Proceedings Volume 2621, 15th Annual BACUS Symposium on Photomask Technology and Management; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.228207
Event: 15th Annual BACUS Symposium on Photomask Technology and Management '95, 1995, Santa Clara, CA, United States

Abstract

The integration of an advanced high resolution laser lithography system for sub-0.50 micron technology, utilizing a 32 beam, 8 pass exposure writing strategy, in a merchant production mask-making environment, is explored. The ALTA-3000 tool represents the latest evolution of mask lithography platforms and, as such, has several advantages over the traditional e-beam or CORE exposure systems. For example, on a laser tool there is no requirement for a high vacuum system, and the complexities associated therein. Unexposed masks are not carried in individual cassettes, as in an e-beam system, and therefore system performance is not subjected to these error sources. Freedom from the potentially adverse affects of these sub- systems should appear as improvements on product performance in the areas of registration and defect control. The additional gray scales of the 32 beam architecture enable increased averaging of the individual beams, thus leading to improvements in print performance, relative to earlier versions of laser technology. The production capability of the ALTA-3000 is analyzed to determine what type of routine performance can be expected in terms of resolution, linewidth control, linearity, registration, defect control, and printing speed. The primary goal of this evaluation is to determine if the performance of the system is capable of meeting reticle requirements for 64 and 256 megabit chips and 5th and 6th generation microprocessors, which are expected to require 0.35 and 0.25 micron geometries on the wafer. The evaluation revealed the basic capability exists, however, additional work must be done in the area of registration control to improve the yields necessary to support high volume production for these technologies.

Citation Download Citation

Gregg Inderhees and Robert M. Kiefer "Integration of an advanced laser writer into a manufacturing environment", Proc. SPIE 2621, 15th Annual BACUS Symposium on Photomask Technology and Management, (8 December 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.228207

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available