The transition to curvilinear mask ILT might significantly increase layout complexity, posing a substantial challenge for data transfer and storage systems as file sizes explode. Traditionally, multi-beam mask writers (MBMW) have been using a mask data format (OASIS.MBW 1.0/1.2) derived from OASIS P44, leading to multi-terabyte layouts. IMS presented OASIS.MBW 2.1 as an efficient data format for curvilinear ILT masks. Since then, the development has been focused on reducing the file size further while simultaneously ensuring that IT equipment inside the fabs may handle the increased workload as demanded by storage-efficient file formats. In this paper, we propose a further possible solution to the file-format question (OASIS.MBW 2.2) taking into account corrections and requirements of leading-edge most advanced nodes. With that, we collate other file formats and explore their weaknesses and benefits.
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