Patent ID: 7056628

Claim:
A mask for projecting a structure pattern onto a semiconductor substrate in an exposure unit, the exposure unit having a minimum resolution limit for projecting the structure pattern onto the semiconductor substrate, the mask comprising: a substrate; at least one raised first structure element on said substrate, said first structure element having a lateral extent amounting to at least the minimum resolution limit, said first structure element formed of a first layer and a second layer, said first layer and said second layer selected from the group consisting of opaque layers and semitransparent layers; a configuration of raised second structure elements, said second structure elements: being disposed in a vicinity of said first structure element on said substrate and arranged in a matrix with a row spacing and a column spacing; being formed by only said first layer; having a substantially identical shape and size; and having a respective lateral extent less than the minimum resolution limit, so that the structure configuration cannot be transferred to a photosensitive resist layer formed on the semiconductor substrate.