Patent ID: 8792078

Claim:
An apparatus for mounting a pellicle onto a mask, the apparatus comprising: a base provided with a track; a dummy plate holder coupled to the base, the dummy plate holder configured to receive and hold a dummy plate in an operating position, the dummy plate having an elevated portion on one side thereof, the elevated portion comprising a shock absorbing material that comprises one or more of a sponge material, a rubber-compound, a foam material, or an accordion material; a mask holder for receiving a mask having a central portion and a periphery outside the central portion, the mask holder slidably coupled to the base; a pellicle holder for receiving a pellicle frame, the pellicle holder slidably coupled to the base; and a drive means, the drive means being adapted to drive the pellicle holder along the track towards the dummy plate holder, wherein the elevated portion in the dummy plate is adapted to align with the central portion of the mask and distribute the mounting pressure in the mask when the pellicle frame is mounted onto the mask, thereby reducing distortion in the mask.