Patent ID: 8585391
Filing Date: 2013-11-19
Classification: B08B,B23K,G03F

Abstract:
1. A photomask cleaning apparatus comprising: a photomask receiving stage that is configured to receive and retain a photomask in a desired orientation, the photomask having a front face having a pellicle adhesive residue region thereon, wherein the desired orientation is with the front face positioned to allow gravity to move particles on the front face away from the front face without interference from the front face of the photomask; a laser supply unit that is configured to generate a laser beam that irradiates a target region on the front face of the photomask to remove a pellicle adhesive residue from the target region, wherein the photomask cleaning apparatus is configured to move the target region on the front face of the photomask to irradiate the entire pellicle adhesive residue region; and a residue inspection unit coupled to the laser supply unit that is configured to detect when the pellicle adhesive residue is present in the pellicle adhesive residue region and wherein the laser supply unit is configured to generate the laser beam only when the pellicle adhesive residue is detected by the residue inspection unit.