Patent ID: 6472107
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
A method for creating an image on a blank photomask comprising a photosensitive resist material layer, a hard mask layer underlying said photosensitive resist material layer, said hard mask layer made from materials which are selectively resistant to etching in said blank photomask, an opaque layer underlying said hard mask layer, and a substantially transparent substrate layer underlying said opaque layer, said method for creating an image comprising the steps of:creating a patterned image in said photosensitive resist layer; removing portions of said photosensitive resist layer that do not correspond to said patterned image thereby exposing portions of said hard mask layer not corresponding to said patterned image; removing said exposed portions of said hard mask layer that do not correspond to said patterned image thereby exposing portions of said opaque layer not corresponding to said patterned image; and removing said photosensitive resist layer.