In a method of cleaning a photo mask, the photo mask is placed on a support such that a pattered surface faces down, and an adhesive sheet is applied to edges of a backside surface of the photo mask.

This application relates to a pellicle for extreme ultraviolet lithography used in a lithography process using extreme ultraviolet rays. In one aspect, the pellicle includes a pellicle layer formed of an M-α material in which M is combined with α. Here, M is one of Si, Zr, Mo, Ru, Y, W, Ti, Ir, or Nb, and a is at least two of B, N, C, O, or F.

Methods for removing haze defects from a photomask or reticle are disclosed. The photomask is placed into a chamber which includes a hydrogen atmosphere. The photomask is then exposed to radiation. The energy from the radiation, together with the hydrogen, causes decomposition of the haze defects. The methods can be practiced on-site and quickly, without the need for wet chemicals or the need to remove the pellicle before cleaning of the photomask. A device for conducting the methods is also disclosed herein.

A pellicle for an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) reflective mask includes a pellicle frame and a main membrane attached to the pellicle frame. The main membrane includes a plurality of nanotubes, each of which includes a single nanotube or a co-axial nanotube, and the single nanotube or an outermost nanotube of the co-axial nanotube is a non-carbon based nanotube.

A pellicle for a lithographic apparatus, the pellicle including nitridated metal silicide or nitridated silicon as well as a method of manufacturing the same. Also disclosed is the use of a nitridated metal silicide or nitridated silicon pellicle in a lithographic apparatus. Also disclosed is a pellicle for a lithographic apparatus including at least one compensating layer selected and configured to counteract changes in transmissivity of the pellicle upon exposure to EUV radiation as well as a method of controlling the transmissivity of a pellicle and a method of designing a pellicle.

A pellicle for a lithographic apparatus, the pellicle including nitridated metal silicide or nitridated silicon as well as a method of manufacturing the same. Also disclosed is the use of a nitridated metal silicide or nitridated silicon pellicle in a lithographic apparatus. Also disclosed is a pellicle for a lithographic apparatus including at least one compensating layer selected and configured to counteract changes in transmissivity of the pellicle upon exposure to EUV radiation as well as a method of controlling the transmissivity of a pellicle and a method of designing a pellicle.

A pellicle film for photolithography including a carbon nanotube film, in which the carbon nanotube film contains carbon nanotubes; the carbon nanotube film transmits 80% or more of EUV light at a wavelength of 13.5 nm; the carbon nanotube film has a thickness from 1 nm to 50 nm; the carbon nanotube film is deposited on a silicon substrate, in which the 3σ of the reflectance is 15% or less when the reflectance of the deposited carbon nanotube film is measured using a reflectance spectrophotometer-based film thickness meter under the following conditions: the diameter of measurement spots, 20 μm; the reference measurement wavelength, 285 nm; the number of measurement spots, 121 spots; the distance between the centers of adjacent measurement spots, 40 μm.

A pellicle film for photolithography including a carbon nanotube film, in which the carbon nanotube film contains carbon nanotubes; the carbon nanotube film transmits 80% or more of EUV light at a wavelength of 13.5 nm; the carbon nanotube film has a thickness from 1 nm to 50 nm; the carbon nanotube film is deposited on a silicon substrate, in which the 3σ of the reflectance is 15% or less when the reflectance of the deposited carbon nanotube film is measured using a reflectance spectrophotometer-based film thickness meter under the following conditions: the diameter of measurement spots, 20 μm; the reference measurement wavelength, 285 nm; the number of measurement spots, 121 spots; the distance between the centers of adjacent measurement spots, 40 μm.

A pellicle removal tool including a stage that holds a photomask and an associated pellicle, two or more arms positioned around the stage and configured to engage pellicle side wells of the pellicle, and two or more actuators each configured to adjust at least a vertical position of a corresponding one of the two or more arms so as to apply a lifting force to the pellicle for removal of the pellicle from the photomask.

A system for imaging a sample through a protective pellicle is disclosed. The system includes an electron beam source configured to generate an electron beam and a sample stage configured to secure a sample and a pellicle, wherein the pellicle is disposed above the sample. The system also includes an electron-optical column including a set of electron-optical elements to direct at least a portion of the electron beam through the pellicle and onto a portion of the sample. In addition, the system includes a detector assembly positioned above the pellicle and configured to detect electrons emanating from the surface of the sample.