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 pellicle assembly is provided for an associated reticle of an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) scanner. The pellicle assembly includes: a pellicle membrane; and a frame configured to mount the pellicle membrane to the associated reticle. Suitably, the pellicle membrane includes: a nanotube material layer; a first protective layer; a second protective layer; an infrared (IR) active layer arranged between the first protective layer and the second protective layer, the IR active layer filtering out IR wavelengths of light passing therethrough; and a deep ultraviolet (DUV) active layer arranged between the first protective layer and the second protective layer, the DUV active layer filtering out DUV wavelengths of light passing therethrough.

A pellicle assembly is provided for an associated reticle of an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) scanner. The pellicle assembly includes: a pellicle membrane; and a frame configured to mount the pellicle membrane to the associated reticle. Suitably, the pellicle membrane includes: a nanotube material layer; a first protective layer; a second protective layer; an infrared (IR) active layer arranged between the first protective layer and the second protective layer, the IR active layer filtering out IR wavelengths of light passing therethrough; and a deep ultraviolet (DUV) active layer arranged between the first protective layer and the second protective layer, the DUV active layer filtering out DUV wavelengths of light passing therethrough.

A stud attachment device for attaching a plurality of studs to a photomask constituting a reticle. The stud attachment device including a body; a plurality of holders extending from the body, the holders allowing the studs to be laid thereon, respectively; and a pressure regulator for independently controlling pressures of the holders when the studs are attached to the photomask.

A method for forming a pellicle apparatus involves forming a device substrate by depositing one or more pellicle layers defined over a base device layer, where a release layer is formed thereover. An adhesive layer is formed over a transparent carrier substrate. The adhesive layer is bonded to the release layer, defining a composite substrate comprised of the device and carrier substrates. The base device layer is removed from the composite structure and a pellicle frame is attached to an outermost one of the pellicle layers. A pellicle region is isolated from a remainder of the composite structure, and an ablation of the release layer is performed through the transparent carrier substrate, defining the pellicle apparatus comprising a pellicle film attached to the pellicle frame. The pellicle apparatus is then from a remaining portion of the composite substrate.

A method for forming a pellicle apparatus involves forming a device substrate by depositing one or more pellicle layers defined over a base device layer, where a release layer is formed thereover. An adhesive layer is formed over a transparent carrier substrate. The adhesive layer is bonded to the release layer, defining a composite substrate comprised of the device and carrier substrates. The base device layer is removed from the composite structure and a pellicle frame is attached to an outermost one of the pellicle layers. A pellicle region is isolated from a remainder of the composite structure, and an ablation of the release layer is performed through the transparent carrier substrate, defining the pellicle apparatus comprising a pellicle film attached to the pellicle frame. The pellicle apparatus is then from a remaining portion of the composite substrate.

Provided are a pellicle for extreme ultraviolet light lithography, a production method thereof, and an exposure method. A pellicle according to the present invention includes a first frame having a pellicle film located thereon; a second frame including a thick portion including a first surface carrying a surface of the first frame opposite to a surface on which the pellicle film is located, and also including a second surface connected with the first surface and carrying a side surface of the first frame, the second frame enclosing the pellicle film and the first frame; a through-hole provided in the thick portion of the second frame; and a filter located on an outer side surface of the second frame and covering the through-hole, the outer side surface crossing the surface of the first frame on which the pellicle film is located.

Provided are a pellicle for extreme ultraviolet light lithography, a production method thereof, and an exposure method. A pellicle according to the present invention includes a first frame having a pellicle film located thereon; a second frame including a thick portion including a first surface carrying a surface of the first frame opposite to a surface on which the pellicle film is located, and also including a second surface connected with the first surface and carrying a side surface of the first frame, the second frame enclosing the pellicle film and the first frame; a through-hole provided in the thick portion of the second frame; and a filter located on an outer side surface of the second frame and covering the through-hole, the outer side surface crossing the surface of the first frame on which the pellicle film is located.

A pellicle that includes graphene is constructed and arranged for an EUV reticle. A multilayer mirror includes graphene as an outermost layer.

A pellicle that includes graphene is constructed and arranged for an EUV reticle. A multilayer mirror includes graphene as an outermost layer.