Impact of Sn Particle-Induced Mask Diffraction on EUV Lithography Performance Across Different Pattern Types

This study investigates the differences in the lithographic impact of particles on the pellicle surface depending on the type of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask pattern. Using an EUV ptychography microscope, we analyzed how mask imaging performance is affected by locally obstructed mask diffraction c...

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Main Authors: Seungchan Moon, Dong Gi Lee, Jinhyuk Choi, Junho Hong, Taeho Lee, Yasin Ekinci, Jinho Ahn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Photonics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/3/266
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author Seungchan Moon
Dong Gi Lee
Jinhyuk Choi
Junho Hong
Taeho Lee
Yasin Ekinci
Jinho Ahn
author_facet Seungchan Moon
Dong Gi Lee
Jinhyuk Choi
Junho Hong
Taeho Lee
Yasin Ekinci
Jinho Ahn
author_sort Seungchan Moon
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the differences in the lithographic impact of particles on the pellicle surface depending on the type of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask pattern. Using an EUV ptychography microscope, we analyzed how mask imaging performance is affected by locally obstructed mask diffraction caused by a 10 μm × 10 μm patterned tin particle intentionally fabricated on the pellicle surface. The resulting critical dimension variations were found to be approximately three times greater in line-and-space patterns than in contact hole patterns. Based on these findings, we recommend defining the critical size of particles according to the mask pattern type to optimize lithographic quality.
format Article
id doaj-art-6bd4ec8fd6e6496f8891df69d2d340f3
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issn 2304-6732
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Photonics
spelling doaj-art-6bd4ec8fd6e6496f8891df69d2d340f32025-08-20T02:42:25ZengMDPI AGPhotonics2304-67322025-03-0112326610.3390/photonics12030266Impact of Sn Particle-Induced Mask Diffraction on EUV Lithography Performance Across Different Pattern TypesSeungchan Moon0Dong Gi Lee1Jinhyuk Choi2Junho Hong3Taeho Lee4Yasin Ekinci5Jinho Ahn6Division of Nanoscale Semiconductor Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of KoreaCenter for Hyperscale, Hyperfunction, Heterogeneous Integration Pioneering Semiconductor Technology, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of KoreaDivision of Nanoscale Semiconductor Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of KoreaCenter for Hyperscale, Hyperfunction, Heterogeneous Integration Pioneering Semiconductor Technology, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of KoreaCenter for Hyperscale, Hyperfunction, Heterogeneous Integration Pioneering Semiconductor Technology, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of KoreaLaboratory for X-Ray Nanoscience and Technologies, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, SwitzerlandDivision of Nanoscale Semiconductor Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of KoreaThis study investigates the differences in the lithographic impact of particles on the pellicle surface depending on the type of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask pattern. Using an EUV ptychography microscope, we analyzed how mask imaging performance is affected by locally obstructed mask diffraction caused by a 10 μm × 10 μm patterned tin particle intentionally fabricated on the pellicle surface. The resulting critical dimension variations were found to be approximately three times greater in line-and-space patterns than in contact hole patterns. Based on these findings, we recommend defining the critical size of particles according to the mask pattern type to optimize lithographic quality.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/3/266extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV)EUV mask metrologyEUV pellicleparticlethrough-pellicle imagingEUV ptychography
spellingShingle Seungchan Moon
Dong Gi Lee
Jinhyuk Choi
Junho Hong
Taeho Lee
Yasin Ekinci
Jinho Ahn
Impact of Sn Particle-Induced Mask Diffraction on EUV Lithography Performance Across Different Pattern Types
Photonics
extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV)
EUV mask metrology
EUV pellicle
particle
through-pellicle imaging
EUV ptychography
title Impact of Sn Particle-Induced Mask Diffraction on EUV Lithography Performance Across Different Pattern Types
title_full Impact of Sn Particle-Induced Mask Diffraction on EUV Lithography Performance Across Different Pattern Types
title_fullStr Impact of Sn Particle-Induced Mask Diffraction on EUV Lithography Performance Across Different Pattern Types
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Sn Particle-Induced Mask Diffraction on EUV Lithography Performance Across Different Pattern Types
title_short Impact of Sn Particle-Induced Mask Diffraction on EUV Lithography Performance Across Different Pattern Types
title_sort impact of sn particle induced mask diffraction on euv lithography performance across different pattern types
topic extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV)
EUV mask metrology
EUV pellicle
particle
through-pellicle imaging
EUV ptychography
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/3/266
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AT junhohong impactofsnparticleinducedmaskdiffractiononeuvlithographyperformanceacrossdifferentpatterntypes
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