Patent ID: 7074529

Claim:
A phase shift mask, comprising: first portions arranged in a pattern across the phase shift mask, the first portions having a first area, a first transmittance of electric field strength of light to be irradiated through the phase shift mask, and a first phase shift characteristic with respect to light traversing the phase shift mask through the first portions; and at least one second portion disposed adjacent the pattern of first portions across the phase shift mask, the second portion having a second area, a second transmittance of electric field strength of light to be irradiated through the phase shift mask, the second transmittance being different from the first transmittance, and a second phase shift characteristic with respect to light traversing the phase shift mask through the second portion; wherein the product of the first area and the first transmittance is substantially equal to the product of the second area and the second transmittance, such that a zero order diffraction of light is substantially absent from light irradiated through the phase shift mask.