Patent ID: 7955516

Claim:
A method for processing a photolithographic reticle, comprising: positioning a mold on a layer of resist material disposed on a reticle having a metal photomask layer formed on an optically transparent substrate; curing the resist material on the reticle; removing the mold to leave an imprint on the cured resist material; positioning the imprinted reticle on a support member in a processing chamber; etching recessed regions of the imprinted resist material to expose portions of the metal photomask layer using a plasma formed in the processing chamber; and etching the exposed portions of the metal photomask layer through the imprinted resist material the using the plasma, wherein etching recessed regions of the imprinted resist material further comprises: providing a first gas mixture from which the plasma is formed to the processing chamber, the first gas mixture comprising an oxygen containing gas, a halogen containing gas and a chlorine containing gas.