Patent ID: 6190743
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
A photomask protection system for minimizing contamination resulting from the removal of a pellicle from a photomask, the pellicle including a pellicle membrane and pellicle frame which is removably mounted to the photomask, the pellicle membrane including an inside surface and the pellicle frame including an inside surface, the photomask including a surface with a centrally disposed pattern, the protection system comprising:a continuous wall attached to the photomask, wherein the continuous wall is dimensioned to fit inside the pellicle with the pellicle attached to the photomask surface, and is spaced from the inside surfaces of the pellicle membrane and the pellicle frame, so that when the pellicle is removed from the photomask for replacement purposes, the continuous wall is disposed between the photomask pattern and the region where the pellicle is mounted to the photomask and reduces the likelihood of contaminants generated by the pellicle removal process reaching the photomask pattern.