Phase shift layer-containing photomask, and its production and correction

摘要

The present invention relates particularly to a process for producing phase shift layer-containing photomasks, which can produce phase shift photomasks through a reduced or limited number of steps to reduce or limit the incidence of phase shifter pattern deficiencies or other defects and at lower costs as well. For instance, a photomask blank of the structure that a substrate is provided thereon with an electrically conductive layer and a light-shielding thin film in this order is used to coat a starting material for spin-on-glass uniformly on a light-shielding pattern formed thereon. A pattern is directly drawn on the coaxed-spin-on-glass layer with energy beams emanating from electron beam exposure hardware, etc., and the substrate is developed with a solvent after pattern drawing with energy beams to wash off an excessive spin-on-glass portion other than the spin-on-glass layer irradiated with the ionizing radiations. Finally, the post-development substrate is baked to form a phase shifter pattern.