Patent Number: 060382791
Section: description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS &lt;First Embodiment&gt; Referring to FIG. 1, showing a first embodiment of the present invention, an exposure apparatus has the following major components: a plurality of YAG laser units 9; a plurality of laser beam collecting optical systems 10; a laser plasma target 11; a filter 12; a paraboloid-of-revolution reflective mirror 3; a reflective mask 4 and a mask stage 7 carrying the reflective mask 4; a projection optical system 5; a wafer 6 with a resist applied thereto; and a wafer stage 8 carrying the wafer 6. The reflective mask 4 has a multi-layered reflective mirror on which a pattern to be transferred has been formed with a material capable of absorbing X-rays. The reflective mask 4 may be a phase shift mask having steps formed in a multi-layered film in accordance with the pattern. Laser beams emitted from the respective YAG lasers 9 are focused on different points 1 on the target 11 through the laser beam focusing optical systems 10 so as to generate plasmas of high temperature, each of which generates X-rays 2. Each laser beam focusing optical system 10 has a zooming (reduced magnification) or defocus function and, hence, is capable of controlling the positions and sizes of a laser beam spot formed on the target 11. The projection optical system 5 is constituted by a pair of aspherical reflective mirrors each having a multi-layered film on its reflective surface. A telecentric system is used as the projection optical system 5. The image-side numerical aperture NA.sub.P2 of this optical system is determined based on the wavelength .lambda. of the X-rays and other factors such as the required levels of resolution and focal depth. The numerical aperture generally ranges from 0.05 to 0.2. For instance, when the image-side numerical aperture NA.sub.P2 is set to be 0.1, while the projection magnification is 1/5, the numerical aperture NA.sub.P1 at the same side as the object, i.e., the mask, is 0.02. The paraboloid-of-revolution reflective mirror 3 has a multi-layered film or a single metallic film, and is disposed such that its focal point is located at the position of the laser plasma target 11 which serves as the light source. Therefore, the X-rays emitted from a certain point on the plane of the light source are reflected by the paraboloid-of-revolution reflective mirror 3 so as to become a collimated beam which irradiates the entire area of the mask 4. Similarly, the X-rays emitted from another point on the plane of the light source are collimated to irradiate the entire area of the mask 4. The projection optical system 5 employs a telecentric system and, therefore, satisfies the conditions of Kohler's illumination. The X-rays from different points on the light source plane impinge upon the mask at different angles. More specifically, X-rays from two points assumed on the light source plane at a distance "d" from each other, incident on a certain point on the mask, form therebetween an angle d/f (rad.), where "f" indicates the focal length of the paraboloid-of-revolution reflective mirror 3. Representing the size of the whole light source constituted by the plurality of luminescent points by "D", the angle of divergence of the rays illuminating the mask is determined as D/f (rad.). The numerical aperture NAi of the illuminating system is therefore determined as D/(2.times.f). In this case, the coherence factor .sigma. is expressed as .sigma.=D/(2.times.f.times.NA.sub.P1). It is possible to obtain a coherence factor of 1.0, i.e., incoherent illumination, when the size D of the light source is set to be 8 mm while the focal length f and the numerical aperture NA.sub.P1 are 200 mm and 0.02, respectively. The embodiment described hereinbefore employs a plurality of plasma-exciting laser sources 9 and a plurality of laser beam focusing optical systems 10, so that a plurality of plasma X-ray luminescent points 1 are concurrently formed on the target. In addition, the sizes of the luminescent points are controlled through independent controls of the zooming or defocus functions of the laser beam focusing optical systems, thus enabling setting of any desired configuration of the luminescent portion of the light source. FIGS. 2(A) to 2(E) show, by way of examples, various configurations of the luminescent portion of the light source. The size D of the whole light source is small when small laser beam spots are superposed, as shown in FIG. 2(A), so that the coherence factor .sigma. approaches 0 to realize coherent illumination. Conversely, when large laser beam spots are formed, so as not to overlap, as shown in FIG. 2(B), the effective size D of the whole light source is increased to make the coherence factor .sigma. approach 1, whereby illuminating conditions approximating those of incoherent illumination are realized. For instance, when the luminescent points are uniformly distributed in a circular area of 8 mm in diameter, the coherence factor .sigma. is set to .sigma.=1.0, thus providing incoherent illumination. FIG. 2(C) shows a pattern in which small laser beam spots are arranged apart from one another. This arrangement also provides a large size effective light source, thus realizing substantially coherent illumination. It is also possible to provide a modified illumination such as oblique illumination or ring illumination by controlling the form of the luminescent portion. Namely, by arranging the laser beam spots around a circle or with intervals as shown in FIG. 2(D) or FIG. 2(E), it is possible to modify the uniform angular distribution of the X-rays incident on the mask into a non-uniform distribution, thus enabling factors such as resolution, focal depth and so forth to be controlled to achieve higher image forming performance. &lt;Second Embodiment&gt; FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it employs, as means for generating a plurality of luminescent points, a pair of laser beam deflector mirrors 15 (composed of a pair of reflection mirrors) and their associated actuators 16. The laser beam from a laser source 9 is focused through the laser beam focusing optical system 10 onto a target 11, thereby generating high-temperature plasma which emits X-rays 2. The position of the incident point 1 on the target 11 is two-dimensionally controlled by the operation of the pair of deflection mirrors 15 actuated by their actuators 16. The illuminating timing of the laser source 9 is controlled in accordance with a signal from a control system (not shown) for controlling the actuators, indicative of the position to which the deflected beam is to be directed. More specifically, the reflection mirrors of the deflection mirrors 15 are actuated so that the laser beam is directed to a predetermined point to be illuminated and, when the angles of the reflection mirrors have been set to aim the laser beam to such a predetermined point, the laser is actuated to emit the laser beam. It is thus possible to freely control the number and positions of the laser-excited plasma luminescent points 1. In this embodiment, the projection optical system 5 includes a pair of aspherical reflective mirrors and constitutes a non-telecentric system. The reflective surface of each reflective mirror has a multi-layered film. The paraboloid-of-revolution reflective mirror 3 is disposed such that the laser plasma target 11 serving as the light source is located on a first focal point thereof, while the entrance pupil of the projection optical system 5 is located on a second focal point thereof. Therefore, the X-rays emitted at a certain moment are reflected by the paraboloid-of-revolution mirror 3 so as to illuminate the entire area of the mask 4. Similarly, the X-rays emitted at another moment from another point on the light source plane illuminate the entire area of the mask 4. Thus, the X-rays emitted from different points of the light source plane at different moments impinge upon the mask at different angles. The distribution of the luminescent points 1 of the light source corresponds to the distribution of angles of the X-rays incident on a common point on the mask. In the second embodiment described above, it is possible to provide a modified illumination such as oblique illumination or ring illumination, through variation of the form of the luminescent portion of the light source, by controlling the position of illumination by the exciting laser beam. For instance, it is possible to change the uniform angular distribution of the X-rays incident on the mask into a non-uniform distribution, enabling factors such as resolution, focal depth and so forth to be controlled to achieve higher image forming performance, by arranging the laser beam spots along a circle or arranging these spots in a discrete manner. FIGS. 4(A) to 4(E) show different patterns of illumination with the laser beam. A small circular luminescent point is obtained to provide a condition approximating that of coherent illumination, when the laser beam is applied only to a single point as shown in FIG. 4(A). In contrast, a large luminescent point is obtained to provide a condition approximating that of incoherent illumination, when the beam spots are uniformly applied two-dimensionally as illustrated in FIG. 4(B). A luminescent point in the form of a ring is obtained to provide ring illumination, when the laser beam is applied successively along a ring-shaped area as shown in FIG. 4(C). FIG. 4(D) shows a spot distribution pattern which is obtained when the laser beam is applied to a circular area and also to an area inside the circular area at a reduced spot density. FIG. 4(E) shows a pattern in which the laser beam is applied successively to four points. This pattern provides discrete luminescent points so as to realize oblique illumination. The second embodiment described above employs a single laser source and the laser light emitted from this source is deflected two-dimensionally while the timing of emission of the laser light from the laser source is controlled in synchronization with the deflecting operation, whereby a plurality of X-ray luminescent points are generated in a time-series manner so as to provide a desired form of the luminescent portion of the X-ray source. The size of the X-ray generating device can therefore be reduced because only one laser source suffices. &lt;Third Embodiment&gt; FIG. 5 shows the construction of a third embodiment. The third embodiment is basically a combination of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and, therefore, features the use of a plurality of combinations of the laser source and the laser beam deflectors. In this embodiment, each laser source 9 is provided with a pair of laser beam deflection mirrors 13 (composed of a pair of reflection mirrors). The deflection mirrors 13 are controlled by respective actuators 14. Laser beams from the respective laser sources 9 are focused on the target 11 through respective laser beam focusing optical systems 10 each having zooming and defocusing functions, thus generating high-temperature plasmas each of which generates X-rays. The size, number and the positions of the luminescent points created by each laser can freely be controlled so as to provide any desired form of the luminescent portion of the X-ray source. In this embodiment, projection optical system 5 includes three reflective mirrors, two of which are concave and one of which is convex relative to the incident light beams. Thus, the third embodiment employs a plurality of laser sources and the laser beams from these laser sources are independently deflected to impinge upon the target. It is therefore possible to increase the number of the luminescent points created per unit time and, hence, to increase the rate of generation of X-rays from the whole X-ray source, thus shortening the exposure time and improving the throughput. &lt;Fourth Embodiment&gt; Referring to FIG. 6, a fourth embodiment of the present invention features the use of a focusing optical system 10 that includes an optical integrator 23, e.g., a fly-eye lens, serving as a secondary light source and an aperture 24 having a variable or selectable aperture configuration for determining the configuration of the secondary light source. A divergent lens 25 is provided before aperture 24. The image of the aperture 24 is projected onto the target 11. It is therefore possible to control the form of the luminescent portions of the laser plasmas, e.g., configuration, size and position, by selecting the configuration of the aperture 24. FIGS. 7(A) to 7(E) show, by way of examples, different configurations of the aperture 24. FIG. 7(A) shows a simple circular aperture configuration which provides a circular luminescent portion of a finite size. A reduction in the aperture size causes a corresponding reduction in the size of the luminescent portion, offering a condition approximating that of coherent illumination. Conversely, a greater aperture size as shown in FIG. 7(B) provides a greater size of the luminescent portion, realizing a condition approximating that of incoherent illumination. A doughnut-shaped aperture as shown in FIG. 7(C) provides a ring-shaped luminescent point of a finite size, thus realizing ring illumination. FIG. 7(D) also shows a doughnut-shaped aperture, but the transmissivity of the central island is reduced. FIGS. 7(E) and 7(F) show apertures formed of a plurality of openings which provide a plurality of luminescent points to provide a modified illumination such as oblique illumination. Although the first to fourth embodiments have been described on an assumption that the projection is performed under Kohler's-illumination conditions, it is not essential that Kohler's-illumination conditions are perfectly met. The advantages of the first to fourth embodiments are enjoyable when the illuminating conditions approximate those of Kohler's illumination. It is to be noted, however, when the illumination is conducted under conditions similar to critical illumination, illuminance distribution on the mask is rendered non-uniform, because the angular distribution of the X-ray beams illuminating the mask deviates from the intended distribution pattern and because the X-ray intensity distribution developed on the mask surface follows the spatial distribution of the luminescent points. It is therefore preferred that the illumination is conducted under conditions approximating those of Kohler's illumination. &lt;Fifth Embodiment&gt; A description will now be given of an embodiment of a device production method in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process for producing a microfine device such as, for example, a semiconductor chip, e.g., an IC or an LSI, a liquid crystal panel, a CCD, a thin-film magnetic head, a micromachine or the like. Step 1 (circuit design) executes designing of a semiconductor device, and Step 2 (mask fabrication) executes fabrication of a mask having a circuit pattern according to the designed circuit. In the meantime, a wafer is fabricated from a material such a silicon, in Step 3 (wafer fabrication). Step 4 (wafer process), which also is referred to as a pre-process, performs a lithographic process to form an actual circuit on the wafer by using the mask. Step 5 (assembly), also referred to as a "post-process" is a step for forming semiconductor chips by using the wafer having circuits formed thereon. Step 5 thus includes an assembly sub-step (dicing and bonding), a packaging sub-step (sealing of chips), and so forth. Step 6 (inspection) executes inspection or examination of the semiconductor device produced through Step 5, such as a test for confirming safe operation, an endurance test, and so forth. The semiconductor devices thus produced and tested are forwarded in Step 7. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the details of the wafer process (Step 4 in FIG. 8). Step 11 (oxidation) performs oxidation of the wafer surface. Step 12 (chemical vapor deposition-CVD) forms an insulating film on the wafer surface. Step 13 (electrode formation) forms electrodes on the wafer by an evaporation technique. Step 14 (ion implantation) executes implantation of ions into the wafer. Step 15 (resist processing) applies a photosensitive resist on the wafer. Step 16 (exposure) prints the circuit pattern carried by the mask onto the wafer through exposure by using the exposure apparatus of one of the described embodiments. The circuit pattern formed through the exposure is developed in Step 17 (development). In Step 18 (etching), an etching is executed to remove the portions other than the developed resist image. Step 19 (resist separation) removes any of the resist which has become unnecessary after the etching. The described steps are cyclically repeated so that a multiplexed circuit pattern is formed on the wafer. The described embodiment of the production method in accordance with the present invention enables inexpensive production of semiconductor devices which have a large scale of integration and, hence, could not easily be produced by conventional methods. Except as otherwise disclosed herein, the various components shown in outline or in block form in the Figures are individually well known and their internal construction and operation are not critical either to the making or using of this invention or to a description of the best mode of the invention. While the present invention has been described with respect to what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.