Photomask protection device, photomask protection system, and use method of photomask protection system

A photomask protection device, a photomask protection system, and a use method of a photomask protection system are provided. The photomask protection device includes a frame and a pellicle. The frame is disposed on a substrate of a photomask and is provided with a clamping space. Edges of the pellicle are fixed in the clamping space.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to the technical field of semiconductors, and in particular to a photomask protection device, a photomask protection system, and a use method of a photomask protection system.

BACKGROUND

A photoetching process is an important process in semiconductor manufacturing, in particular, it is a process for transferring a pattern layer on a photomask onto a substrate. It is generally necessary to mount a protection device on the photomask to prevent the photomask from being polluted by external dust particles. The protection device of the photomask generally includes a frame and a pellicle.

The pellicle in the related technology is directly adhered to a top end of the frame. Since the pellicle and the frame are adhered together through an adhesive, a gap exists between the pellicle and the frame caused by the failure of the adhesive due to factors such as aging. When an air knife sweeps dust particles falling on a surface of the pellicle, the pellicle is easily torn from the gap, so that the pellicle is damaged, and the whole photomask protection system may be damaged and scrapped.

SUMMARY

The disclosure provides a photomask protection device and a photomask protection system.

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a photomask protection device including a frame and a pellicle is provided.

The frame is disposed on a substrate of a photomask, and is provided with a clamping space.

Edges of the pellicle are fixed in the clamping space.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, a photomask protection system is provided, including the above photomask protection device and a photomask. The photomask includes a substrate and a pattern layer.

A frame of the photomask protection device is located on the substrate.

The pattern layer is located on the substrate.

According to a third aspect of the disclosure, a use method of a photomask protection system is provided, including the following operations.

A substrate is provided.

A frame provided with a clamping space is mounted on the substrate.

A pellicle is fixed on the frame with edges of the pellicle being located in the clamping space.

The substrate is provided with a pattern layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments that embody the features and advantages of the disclosure will be described in detail in the following description. It will be appreciated that the disclosure may have various changes in different embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure, and that the description and drawings are illustrative in nature and are not intended to limit the disclosure.

In the following description of various exemplary implementations of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and in which various exemplary structures, systems, and steps capable of implementing various aspects of the disclosure are shown by way of illustration. It will be appreciated that other specific solutions of components, structures, exemplary devices, systems, and steps may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, although the terms “on”, “between”, “in”, etc. may be used in this specification to describe different exemplary features and elements of the disclosure, these terms are used herein for convenience only, e.g., in accordance with the orientation of the examples in the figures. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a particular three-dimensional orientation of the structure to fall within the scope of the disclosure.

One embodiment of the disclosure provides a photomask protection system that includes a photomask protection device and a photomask, with reference toFIGS.1-5.

The photomask protection device includes a frame30and a pellicle40.

The photomask includes a substrate10and a pattern layer20.

The frame30is disposed on the substrate10of the photomask. The frame30is provided with a clamping space31. Edges of the pellicle40are fixed in the clamping space31.

The pattern layer20is located on the substrate10.

According to the photomask protection device of one embodiment of the disclosure, by fixing the edges of the pellicle40in the clamping space31of the frame30, a fixing effect of the frame30on the pellicle40can be improved, and the pellicle40is prevented from being separated from the frame30.

It should be noted that the edges of the pellicle40in the present embodiment are clamped in the frame30, the fixing effect of the frame30on the pellicle40is better than that of the related technology where the pellicle is directly adhered to a top end of the frame. In the present disclosure, the pellicle40is not easily torn even when sweeping dust particles falling on a surface of the pellicle40.

In some embodiments, all of the edges of the pellicle40may be located in the clamping space31. That is, the clamping space31may be arranged around a circumferential perimeter of the pellicle40, thereby ensuring that the pellicle40and the frame30are reliably fixed to each other.

In some embodiments, a part of the edges of the pellicle40may be located in the clamping space31. That is, a section of the pellicle40in a circumferential direction is fixed in the clamping space31. For example, there are multiple relatively long sections disposed in the circumferential direction of the pellicle40, the multiple relatively long sections are located in the clamping space31, and the whole pellicle40is fixed to the frame30through the multiple relatively long section bodies.

It should be noted that the substrate10and the pattern layer20form the photomask of the photomask protection device, the photomask may be used for manufacturing semiconductor wafers.

In one embodiment, the substrate10may be a defect-free fused silica (SiO2), glass, calcium fluoride, or other suitable materials.

The pattern layer20is formed on the substrate10. Methods of forming the pattern layer20on the substrate10may include Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), plating, and/or other suitable methods. The pattern layer20may include, in part or in whole, phase-shifting matter formed by attenuating materials or other conductive materials having different thicknesses and/or different optical phase shifts.

The pattern layer20formed on the substrate10may include matter (or absorber) that may be configured to attenuate and/or provide a phase shift to a radiation beam for manufacturing a semiconductor wafer during the lithographic patterning process.

In one embodiment, the pattern layer20includes chromium, or chromium and silicide. In other embodiments, the pattern layer20may include metal silicide such as molybdenum silicide (MoSi) or tantalum silicide (TaSi2), metal nitride, iron oxide, inorganic materials such as molybdenum (Mo), niobium oxide (Nb2O5), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), chromium nitride (CrN), molybdenum trioxide (MoO3), molybdenum nitride (MoN), chromium oxide (Cr2O3), titanium nitride (TiN), zirconium nitride (ZrN), titanium oxide (TiO2), tantalum nitride (TaN), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), silicon dioxide (SiO2), niobium nitride (NbN), silicon nitride (Si3N4), neutral aluminum oxide (Al2O3N), aluminum oxide (Al2O3R), or other materials or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the pellicle40is disposed opposite to the pattern layer20. The pellicle40is a thin film permeable to the radiation beam of the lithographic patterning process. The pellicle40is adjacent to a patterned side of the substrate10so that the pattern layer20is located between the pellicle40and the substrate10.

In one embodiment, the frame30is configured to attach and fix the pellicle40. The frame30includes a material having certain mechanical strength, and the shape, size and structure of the frame30may be designed to properly fix the pellicle40. In the present embodiment, the frame30may include aluminum (Al).

In one embodiment, the photomask protection device further includes a first adhesive layer50. The first adhesive layer50is filled in the clamping space31. The pellicle40is connected to the frame30through the first adhesive layer50.

Specifically, the first adhesive layer50is configured to adhere the pellicle40to the frame30. Considering that the edges of the pellicle40are located in the clamping space31, the pellicle40and the frame30are adhered together by the first adhesive layer50between the pellicle40and the frame30.

In one embodiment, the clamping space31includes a first side wall311and a second side wall312. The edges of the pellicle40are located between the first side wall311and the second side wall312. A gap is formed between at least one of the first side wall311or the second side wall312and the pellicle40. The first adhesive layer50is filled in the gap, thereby adhering the pellicle40and the frame30together.

Specifically, as shown inFIG.5, the first side wall311and the second side wall312are disposed opposite to each other to form the clamping space31between the first side wall311and the second side wall312. The pellicle40is located in the clamping space31and there is a gap between the pellicle and each of the first side wall311and the second side wall312. The first adhesive layer50is filled in the two gaps, as shown inFIG.1.

In some embodiments, the pellicle40may be in contact with to the first side wall311, and the first adhesive layer50is filled between the pellicle40and the second side wall312. Alternatively, the pellicle40may be in contact with to the second side wall312, and the first adhesive layer50is filled between the pellicle40and the first side wall311.

In some embodiments, the pellicle40may be directly clamped between the first side wall311and the second side wall312, i.e., the first adhesive layer50is omitted.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS.1-4, the photomask protection system further includes a second adhesive layer. The second adhesive layer is located on the substrate10. The frame30is connected to the substrate10through the second adhesive layer.

The material of the second adhesive layer may correspond to the first adhesive layer50, i.e. a substance for adhesion in the related technology. Alternatively, the second adhesive layer may be a self-adhesive shock absorber. The shock absorber may be configured to relieve pressure exerted on the substrate10when assembling the photomask protection system or pressure exerted by other pressure sources. The pressure generated by the assembly or other factors is transferred to the substrate10through the shock absorber, to reduce or eliminate the pressure.

In some embodiments, the shock absorber may be a soft padding feature. In other embodiments, the shock absorber may include a polymer material, a sponge-liked material, a foam material, or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the clamping space31is an accommodation groove having a groove bottom located in the frame30, i.e. a groove formed in the frame30for accommodating the edges of the pellicle40.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIG.2, the clamping space31is an accommodation groove extending in a first direction which is perpendicular to the substrate10. The edges of the pellicle40form a bent section (90-degree bent) which is located in the clamping space31, and then the middle of the pellicle40is disposed opposite to the substrate10.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIG.4, the clamping space31is an accommodation groove extending in a second direction which is parallel to the substrate10. The whole pellicle40is in form of a planar structure. The edges of the pellicle40are located in the clamping space31, and then the middle of the pellicle40is disposed opposite to the substrate10.

Further, the pellicle40located in the clamping space31is in connection with the frame30by the first adhesive layer50.

It should be noted that the pellicle40may be in contact with the groove bottom of the accommodation groove, or the pellicle40may be separated from the groove bottom of the accommodation groove, which is not limited herein. The clamping space31may be fully or partially filled with the first adhesive layer50, which is not limited herein, as long as it is possible to ensure that the pellicle40is reliably adhered to the frame30.

In some embodiments, the accommodation groove may also extend in a third direction inclined with respect to the substrate10. The specific structure and the extending direction of the accommodation groove are not limited, so long as it is possible to ensure that the edges of the pellicle40may be clamped in the clamping space31, and the whole pellicle40is opposite to the pattern layer20.

In one embodiment, the frame30is formed in one piece. That is, the frame30is an integrated structure, and the clamping space31, i.e. the accommodation groove, is provided in the frame30.

In some embodiments, the frame30may be a rectangular frame, and an upper end of the rectangular frame is provided with the accommodation groove. The edges of the pellicle40are located in the accommodation groove, so that the pellicle40is reliably connected to a top end of the rectangular frame, as shown inFIG.2. Alternatively, a side of the rectangular frame may be provided with the accommodation groove, and the edges of the pellicle40are located in the accommodation groove, so that the pellicle40is reliably connected to the middle of the rectangular frame, as shown inFIG.4.

It should be noted that the frame30may also be an annular frame, or other frames in other shape. The shape is not limited herein, and may be selected according to actual requirements.

In one embodiment, the accommodation groove is arranged in a circumferential direction of the frame30such that all of the edges of the pellicle40are located in the clamping space31. That is, the clamping space31forms a circumferentially closed accommodation space, so that the edges of the pellicle40can be reliably enclosed, and the pellicle40and the frame30can be reliably connected to each other with the aid of the first adhesive layer50.

In one embodiment, the accommodation groove may include multiple sub-accommodation grooves spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the frame30, and the edges of the pellicle40are partially located in the sub-accommodation grooves. In some embodiments, long sections may be reserved on the pellicle in the circumferential direction of the pellicle40, the long sections are intended to be located in the sub-accommodation grooves.

In one embodiment, the clamping space31is an opening which passing through the frame30, i.e. an opening passing through both sides of the frame30, for accommodating the edges of the pellicle40.

It should be noted that with respect to the accommodation groove which has only one opening, the opening here indicates that the clamping space31has two ports.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIG.1, the opening extends in a first direction which is perpendicular to the substrate10. The edges of the pellicle40form a bent section (90-degree bent, or at other angles) which is located in the clamping space31, and then the middle of the pellicle40can be disposed opposite to the substrate10.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIG.3, the opening extends in a second direction which is parallel to the substrate10. The whole pellicle40is in the form of a planar structure. The edges of the pellicle40are located in the clamping space31, and then the middle of the pellicle40can be disposed opposite to the substrate10.

Further, the pellicle40located in the clamping space31is in connection with the frame30through the first adhesive layer50.

It should be noted that the length of the pellicle40in the opening may correspond to the depth of the opening, or the length of the pellicle40in the opening may be less than the depth of the opening, which is not limited herein. The clamping space31may be fully or partially filled with the first adhesive layer50, which is not limited herein, as long as it is possible to ensure that the pellicle40is reliably adhered to the frame30.

In some embodiments, the opening may also extend in a third direction inclined with respective to the substrate10. The specific structure and the extending direction of the opening are not limited, so long as it is possible to ensure that the edges of the pellicle40may be clamped in the clamping space31, and the whole pellicle40is opposite to the pattern layer20.

In one embodiment, the frame30is in the form of a separable structure. That is, the frame30is formed by assembling multiple independent components which define the clamping space31.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS.1and5, the frame30includes a first section32and a second section33. The first section32is located on the substrate10. The second section33is located on the substrate10. The first section32and the second section33are spaced apart from each other to form a clamping space31. That is, the first section32and the second section33which are independently disposed together form the frame30. The structure is relatively simple, and the mounting is convenient.

In one embodiment, the first section32forms a first rectangular cavity, the second section33forms a second rectangular cavity, and the second section33is located in the first rectangular cavity. In this way, the first section32and the second section33forms a nested structure, but are not in contact with each other, thereby forming the clamping space31, as shown in detail inFIG.5.

In some embodiments, each of the first section32and the second section33may be a rectangular frame. An opening is formed between the two rectangular frames, and the edges of the pellicle40are located in the opening, so that the pellicle40is reliably connected at a top end of the rectangular frame, as shown inFIG.1.

Alternatively, the two rectangular frames may be stacked in a vertical direction, i.e., the pellicle40is clamped between the two rectangular frames stacked in a vertical direction, which is similar to the structure shown inFIG.3.

It should be noted that the first section32and the second section33may also be annular frames, or frames in other shape. The shape is not limited herein, and may be selected according to practical requirements.

In one embodiment, the frame30is formed in one piece, and the openings are through holes. That is, multiple through holes are formed in the frame30, and are spaced apart from each other.

Specifically, the through holes may be through holes in a vertical direction, which is similar to the structure shown inFIG.1. The through holes may also be through holes in a horizontal direction, which is similar to the structure shown inFIG.3.

In one embodiment, the frame30includes a first section32and a second section33. The first section32is disposed on the substrate10, and the first section32forms an accommodation cavity. The second section33is located in the accommodation cavity and spaced apart from the substrate10. At least a part of the first section32is spaced apart from the second section33to form a clamping space31.

Specifically, the first section32of the frame30is located on the substrate10. That is, the first section of the frame30is a support structure. The clamping space31for clamping the pellicle40is formed between the second section33and the first section32, and the pellicle40can be fixed by filling the first adhesive layer50. That is, the second section33is supported on the substrate10by the first section32, and the first section32is not in direct contact with the substrate10.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.6, the frame30includes a first section32and a second section33. The first section32is directly mounted on the substrate10. The second section33is located above the first section32to form a clamping space31therebetween. In this case, the clamping space31is a closed-loop frame extending in a circumferential direction of the frame30, and the clamping space31has an arc shape extending from a top end to a bottom end, as shown in detail inFIG.6. After the first section32is mounted on the substrate10, the pellicle40is placed in place, and then the second section33is placed to clamp the pellicle40.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.7, the frame30includes a first section32and a second section33. The first section32is directly mounted on the substrate10. The second section33is nested in the first section32. A gap is formed between the first section32and both sides of the second section33and between the first section32and a bottom end of the second section33, i.e., a clamping space31is formed. In this case, a longitudinal cross section of the clamping space31is U-shaped, as shown in detail inFIG.7. Of course, in some embodiments, only one longitudinal gap may be formed between the second section33and the second section33, or only two longitudinal gaps may be formed, or one longitudinal gap and one horizontal gap may be formed. The specific arrangement is not limited herein, and may be adjusted according to actual requirements.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.8, the frame30includes a first section32and a second section33. The first section32is directly mounted on the substrate10. The second section33is nested in the first section32. A bottom end of the second section33is snap-fitted in the first section32, and a clamping space31is formed between the second section33and the first section32. In order to ensure that the second section33is nested in the first section32, the second section33may be provided at the bottom end with a protrusion made of an elastic material to ensure that the bottom end of the second section33is snap-fitted in the first section32.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.9, the frame30includes a first section32and a second section33. The first section32is directly mounted on the substrate10. The second section33is nested in the first section32. The difference from the embodiment shown inFIG.8is that, in the present embodiment, the bottom end of the second section33is not snap-fitted in the first section32, but the interior of the first section32still has an inwardly concave groove, as shown in detail inFIG.9.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.10, the frame30includes a first section32and a second section33. The first section32is directly mounted on the substrate10. The second section33is located on the first section32. A clamping space31is formed between the second section33and the first section32. The first section32and the second section33are integrally formed in a trapezoidal structure in cross section. That is, the first section32may be stably supported on the substrate10. In this case, the longitudinal cross section of the clamping space31may be L-shaped.

It should be noted that the specific shape of the clamping space31formed between the first section32and the second section33is not limited, and may be designed accordingly according to the actual requirements, so long as it is possible to ensure that the edges of the pellicle40can be clamped. In some embodiments, the longitudinal cross section of the clamping space31may be a linear shape, an arc shape, a U shape, an L shape, etc.

One embodiment of the disclosure also provides a use method of a photomask protection system. Referring toFIG.11, the method includes the following operations.

At S103, a frame30provided with a clamping space31is mounted on the substrate10.

At S105, a pellicle40is fixed on the frame30with edges of the pellicle40being located in the clamping space31. The substrate10is provided with a pattern layer20.

According to the photomask protection system of one embodiment of the disclosure, by fixing the edges of the pellicle40in the clamping space31of the frame30, a fixing effect of the frame30on the pellicle40can be improved, and the pellicle40is prevented from being separated from the frame30, thereby ensuring that dust particles will not fall onto the pattern layer20.

In one embodiment, the photomask protection system is the above photomask protection system.

After considering the specification and implementing the disclosure disclosed here, other implementation solutions of the disclosure would be readily conceivable to a person skilled in the art. The disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure following the general principles thereof and including such departures from the disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art. It is intended that the specification and example implementations be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the foregoing claims.