The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 18, 1998
Filed:
Jan. 14, 1997
Applicant:
Inventors:
Lars W Liebmann, Poughquag, NY (US);
Burn Jeng Lin, Tampa, FL (US);
Mark O Neisser, Wappingers Falls, NY (US);
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G03F / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
430-5 ;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for correcting defects in a phase shift mask to be used in photolithography. More specifically, the method of the invention includes creating a second repair mask which contains phase shifters. Regions surrounding the defects on the first mask are made opaque. The design circuitry located in these defective regions is copied onto the second mask. During a second exposure the design circuitry is placed onto the semiconductor wafer. Therefore, this method and apparatus provides an inexpensive solution to a difficult problem.