PATTERNING AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT USING A REFLECTIVE MASK

摘要

A desired pattern is formed in a photoresist layer that overlies a semiconductor wafer using a reflective mask. This mask is formed by consecutively depositing a reflective layer, an absorber layer and an anti-reflective (ARC) layer. The ARC layer is patterned according to the desired pattern. The ARC layer is inspected to find areas in which the desired pattern is not achieved. The ARC layer is then repaired to achieve the desired pattern with the absorber layer protecting the reflective layer. The desired pattern is transferred to the absorber layer to reveal the reflective portion of mask. Radiation is reflected off the reflective mask to the semiconductor wafer to expose the photoresist layer overlying the semiconductor wafer with the desired pattern.