Patent ID: 7402362

Claim:
A method for reducing precipitated defect formation within a sealed mask reticle assembly containing a mask reticle, the method comprising: providing a mask reticle assembly having a sealed pellicle frame defining an enclosed volume and including at least one mask reticle therein, the pellicle frame including a transparent pellicle film spaced apart from the mask reticle assembly by solid side support frames attached to outer edges of the mask reticle by a gas permeable adhesive, wherein the reticle is sealed inside the pellicle frame; providing a predetermined gas into an environment surrounding the sealed pellicle frame; diffusing the predetermined gas through the adhesive into the enclosed volume of the sealed pellicle frame; and diffusing chemical contaminants out from the sealed pellicle frame through the adhesive with the predetermined gas into the environment to reduce the formation of precipitated defects.