Patent ID: 7300729
Filing Date: 2007-11-27
Classification: G03F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for monitoring a reticle, comprising: providing a reticle having embedded scatter elements (SE's), wherein the SE's are one or more specific volumes of damage that were created with a laser at one or more positions embedded within the reticle to thereby alter the transmission levels through the reticle at particular regions of the reticle; determining whether a periodic inspection is due for the reticle or a wafer produced by such reticle; performing an inspection on the reticle or the wafer when such periodic inspection is due; using the reticle in a lithography process when the inspection indicates that the reticle or a wafer fabricated from such reticle has a predetermined level of uniformity of values of a particular parameter at a plurality of positions of the reticle or wafer; and correcting the reticle when the inspection indicates that the reticle or a wafer fabricated from such reticle does not have a predetermined level of uniformity of values of a particular parameter at a plurality of positions of the reticle or wafer, wherein the correcting operation is accomplished by embedding SE's within the reticle using a laser in order to substantially restore reticle uniformity.