Patent ID: 11921435
Assignee: KULICKE & SOFFA LITEQ B.V.
Field: Optics (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 4:
5. A method of operating a lithographic system, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) supporting a workpiece using a support structure of the lithographic system;
(b) projecting an image on the workpiece using radiation from a radiation source of the lithographic system;
(c) positioning a reticle between the radiation source and the workpiece; and
(d) positioning a mask within 100 mm of the reticle along a z-axis of the lithographic system, the mask being configured to block radiation from the radiation source, wherein the mask includes a body portion and a radiation absorbing coating applied to at least a portion of an external surface of the body portion, wherein the radiation absorbing coating is an inorganic black coating, the mask defining an illumination area of the projected image using a pattern of the reticle and radiation from the radiation source, the mask including a plurality of elements configured to define the illumination area, wherein at least one of the plurality of elements is positioned above the reticle along a z-axis of the lithographic system, and at least one other of the plurality of elements is positioned below the reticle along the z-axis of the lithographic system.