Patent ID: 6345399
Filing Date: 2002-02-12
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for preventing the formation of photoresist microfissures in a material layer to be patterned by lithography and etching, said method comprising the steps of:(a) forming a compressive hard mask on a surface of a non-compressive material layer that is to be patterned by lithography and etching; (b) forming a patterned photoresist on said hard mask, wherein a portion of said hard mask is exposed; (c) removing said exposed portion of said hard mask so as to expose a portion of said non-compressive material layer; and (d) transferring said pattern from said patterned photoresist to said exposed portion of said material layer by etching, wherein said hard mask is selective to said etching and thus substantially prevents the propagation of photoresist microfissures to said material layer.