Investigation and improvement of patterning characteristics for annular illumination optical lithography at the periodical pattern ends

This article describes particular patterning characteristics of annular illumination lithography and a method to improve them. Annular illumination lithography is one of the most practical methods to enhance resolution and enlarge focus latitude. However, improving the patterning characteristics is not sufficient at the ends of periodical patterns in spite of superior performance at the periodical parts. Here, the degradation of the patten profiles at the periodical ends are investigated in detail, and size-modification of the end patterns is proposed. By making the reticle pattern widths a little wider only at the ends, end-pattern degradation is greatly improved, and practical depth-of-focus is favorably extended.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.