Masks for charged-particle beam microlithography

摘要

Charged-particle beam masks are disclosed that comprise a plurality of mask subfields separated by a plurality of boundary regions. The subfields are formed in a scattering layer deposited on a membrane. The membrane is supported by a support structure provided in proximity to the boundary regions. In one embodiment, the support structure comprises a plurality of support beams, parallel to each other, and preferably formed by anisotropically etching a silicon wafer. A boron-doped layer of the silicon wafer forms the membrane.