Photomask for near-field exposure having opening filled with transparent material

摘要

A photomask for use in near-field exposure includes a mask support which is transparent to exposure light; a shading film which is formed on one side of the mask support, and has at least one-opening arranged to form a predetermined pattern; and at least one filler which is transparent to the exposure light, and is arranged in the at least one opening with a predetermined height above the level of the boundary between the mask support and the shading film. The difference between the thickness of the shading film and the height of each of the at least one filler does not exceed 50 nanometers.