The prevent disclosure provides a reflective mask. In some embodiments, the reflective mask includes a substrate, a sp.sup.2-hybrid carbon layer, a reflective multilayer, and an absorption pattern. The sp.sup.2-hybrid carbon layer is over the substrate. The reflective multilayer is over the sp.sup.2-hybrid carbon layer. The absorption pattern is over the reflective multilayer.

A mask includes a substrate, a reflective multilayer, an absorption layer and an absorption part. The substrate includes a mask image region and a mask frame region, wherein the mask frame region has a mask black border region adjacent to the mask image region. The reflective multilayer is disposed over the substrate. The absorption layer is disposed over the reflective multilayer. The absorption part is disposed in the reflective multilayer and the absorption layer and in the mask black border region, wherein an entire top surface of the absorption part is substantially flush with a top surface of the absorption layer.

A mask includes a substrate, a reflective multilayer, an absorption layer and an absorption part. The substrate includes a mask image region and a mask frame region, wherein the mask frame region has a mask black border region adjacent to the mask image region. The reflective multilayer is disposed over the substrate. The absorption layer is disposed over the reflective multilayer. The absorption part is disposed in the reflective multilayer and the absorption layer and in the mask black border region, wherein an entire top surface of the absorption part is substantially flush with a top surface of the absorption layer.

Computer implemented methods and computer program products have instructions for generating transfer functions that relate segments on lithography photomasks to features produced by photolithography and etching using such segments. Such methods may be characterized by the following elements: (a) receiving after development inspection metrology results produced from one or more first test substrates on which resist was applied and patterned using a set of design layout segments; (b) receiving after etch inspection metrology results produced from one or more second test substrates which were etched after resist was applied and patterned using said set of design layout segments; and (c) generating the transfer function using the set of design layout segments together with corresponding after development inspection metrology results and corresponding after etch inspection metrology results.

Computer implemented methods and computer program products have instructions for generating transfer functions that relate segments on lithography photomasks to features produced by photolithography and etching using such segments. Such methods may be characterized by the following elements: (a) receiving after development inspection metrology results produced from one or more first test substrates on which resist was applied and patterned using a set of design layout segments; (b) receiving after etch inspection metrology results produced from one or more second test substrates which were etched after resist was applied and patterned using said set of design layout segments; and (c) generating the transfer function using the set of design layout segments together with corresponding after development inspection metrology results and corresponding after etch inspection metrology results.

Embodiments disclosed herein include EUV reticles and methods of forming such reticles. In an embodiment a method of forming an EUV reticle comprises providing a reticle, where the reticle comprises, a substrate, a mirror layer over the substrate, where the mirror layer comprises a plurality of first mirror layers and second mirror layers in an alternating pattern, and a capping layer over the mirror layer. In an embodiment, the method may further comprise disposing a first layer over the capping layer, patterning an opening in the first layer, and disposing a second layer in the opening, where the second layer is disposed with an electroless deposition process.

A reflective mask blank including a substrate, a multilayer reflection film formed on one main surface of the substrate and reflects exposure light. The multilayer reflection film has a periodically laminated structure portion in which low refractive index layers and high refractive index layers are alternately laminated, and at least one of the low refractive index layer has a two-layered structure consisting of one layer containing molybdenum, and at least one additive element selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon, boron, silicon and hydrogen, and the other layer containing molybdenum and substantively free of other elements other than molybdenum.

A reflective mask blank including a substrate, a multilayer reflection film formed on one main surface of the substrate and reflects exposure light. The multilayer reflection film has a periodically laminated structure portion in which low refractive index layers and high refractive index layers are alternately laminated, and at least one of the low refractive index layer has a two-layered structure consisting of one layer containing molybdenum, and at least one additive element selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon, boron, silicon and hydrogen, and the other layer containing molybdenum and substantively free of other elements other than molybdenum.

The present disclosure describes a method of patterning a semiconductor wafer using extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL). The method includes receiving an EUVL mask that includes a substrate having a low temperature expansion material, a reflective multilayer over the substrate, a capping layer over the reflective multilayer, and an absorber layer over the capping layer. The method further includes patterning the absorber layer to form a trench on the EUVL mask, wherein the trench has a first width above a target width. The method further includes treating the EUVL mask with oxygen plasma to reduce the trench to a second width, wherein the second width is below the target width. The method may also include treating the EUVL mask with nitrogen plasma to protect the capping layer, wherein the treating of the EUVL mask with the nitrogen plasma expands the trench to a third width at the target width.

Provided are a substrate with a multilayer reflective film, a reflective mask blank, a reflective mask, and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, having high resistance to an etching gas used for etching an absorber film and/or an etching mask film and capable of suppressing occurrence of blister.

A substrate with a multilayer reflective film 100 comprises a substrate 10, a multilayer reflective film 12 formed on the substrate 10, and a protective film 14 formed on the multilayer reflective film 12. The protective film 14 comprises ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), and at least one additive element selected from the group consisting of titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), yttrium (Y), niobium (Nb), vanadium (V), and hafnium (Hf).