Electrostatic protection is an issue for all masks, whether during mask production, shipping, storage, handling or
inspection and exposure. Up to now, only manual electrostatic field measurements, or expensive and elaborate analyses
with Canary reticles have given hints about the risks of pattern damage by ESD events.
A new test device is being introduced, which consists of electrostatic field sensors, integrated INSIDE a closed fused
quartz housing which has the outside dimensions of a 6 inch mask.
This device can be handled and used like a normal 6 inch reticle. It can be handled and processed while recording the
electrostatic charges on the chrome patterns created by friction or field induction just as a reticle would "see" during
normal processing.
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