Patent ID: 8043797
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. A method for transferring an image of a mask pattern through a pitch range onto a substrate, the mask pattern including printing features arranged in different pitches, the method comprising: determining a plurality of illumination shapes to image the printing features on the substrate at the different pitches of the pitch range so that, for each of the different pitches of the pitch range, an illumination shape that is suitable to image the printing features on the substrate is determined; determining a multipole illumination to be used to illuminate the mask pattern based on the plurality of illumination shapes obtained for the different pitches of the pitch range; illuminating the mask pattern of an attenuated phase shift mask using the multipole illumination, the mask pattern on said attenuated phase shift mask including the printing features arranged in the different pitches and anti-scattering bars, wherein the anti-scattering bars are placed only within said printing features that are arranged in a pitch at least equal to or larger than twice a minimum pitch of the printing features, and projecting an image of the illuminated mask pattern onto the substrate.