The invention relates to a device and a method for processing a microstructured component, in particular for microlithography. A device for processing a microstructured component comprises an ion beam source for applying an ion beam to at least regions of the component, wherein an ion energy of this ion beam is no more than 5 keV, and a detector for detecting particles backscattered at the component.

A mask blank including a phase shift film is provided, wherein the phase shift film has a transmittance with respect to exposure light of an ArF excimer laser of not less than 10% and not more than 20% and is configured to transmit the exposure light to have a phase difference of not less than 150 degrees and not more than 190 degrees with respect to exposure light transmitted through the air for the same distance as a thickness of the phase shift film. A ratio of the metal content to the total content of the metal and silicon in the phase shift film is not less than 5% and not more than 10%, the oxygen content in the phase shift film is 10 atom % or more, and the silicon content in the phase shift film is three times or more the oxygen content.

A mask blank including a phase shift film is provided, wherein the phase shift film has a transmittance with respect to exposure light of an ArF excimer laser of not less than 10% and not more than 20% and is configured to transmit the exposure light to have a phase difference of not less than 150 degrees and not more than 190 degrees with respect to exposure light transmitted through the air for the same distance as a thickness of the phase shift film. A ratio of the metal content to the total content of the metal and silicon in the phase shift film is not less than 5% and not more than 10%, the oxygen content in the phase shift film is 10 atom % or more, and the silicon content in the phase shift film is three times or more the oxygen content.

A method including: obtaining error information indicative of accuracy of positioning a pattern formed on a layer on a substrate relative to a target position, wherein the pattern has been formed by irradiating the layer with a radiation beam patterned by a patterning device; and producing modification information including a map of positional shifts across the patterning device so as to increase the accuracy of positioning the pattern formed using the patterning device modified according to the modification information, the modification information based on the error information, wherein the error information is independent of any other layer on the substrate.

A method including: obtaining error information indicative of accuracy of positioning a pattern formed on a layer on a substrate relative to a target position, wherein the pattern has been formed by irradiating the layer with a radiation beam patterned by a patterning device; and producing modification information including a map of positional shifts across the patterning device so as to increase the accuracy of positioning the pattern formed using the patterning device modified according to the modification information, the modification information based on the error information, wherein the error information is independent of any other layer on the substrate.

The invention relates to a device for examining and/or processing an element for photolithography with a beam of charged particles, wherein the device comprises: (a) means for acquiring measurement data while the element for photolithography is exposed to the beam of charged particles; and (b) means for predetermining a drift of the beam of charged particles relative to the element for photolithography with a trained machine learning model and/or a predictive filter, wherein the trained machine learning model and/or the predictive filter use(s) at least the measurement data as input data.

A method of manufacturing a photomask includes forming a photomask having a plurality of pattern elements, wherein the plurality of pattern elements include correction-target pattern elements having a critical dimension (CD) deviation; acquiring local CD correction information; directing a laser beam to a mirror array of a digital micromirror device (DMD), wherein the mirror array has mirrors arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns; converting the laser beam into a beam pattern array corresponding to the mirror array by controlling on/off switching of each of the mirrors based on the local CD correction information; forming a linear beam by focusing the beam pattern array through an optical system; applying an etchant to the photomask and directing the linear beam to the photomask and moving the linear beam to irradiate the photomask.

A method of manufacturing a photomask includes forming a photomask having a plurality of pattern elements, wherein the plurality of pattern elements include correction-target pattern elements having a critical dimension (CD) deviation; acquiring local CD correction information; directing a laser beam to a mirror array of a digital micromirror device (DMD), wherein the mirror array has mirrors arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns; converting the laser beam into a beam pattern array corresponding to the mirror array by controlling on/off switching of each of the mirrors based on the local CD correction information; forming a linear beam by focusing the beam pattern array through an optical system; applying an etchant to the photomask and directing the linear beam to the photomask and moving the linear beam to irradiate the photomask.

A mask blank having fast repair rate of EB defect repair and high repair rate ratio to EB defect repair relative to a transparent substrate that includes a phase shift film on a transparent substrate, the phase shift film has a structure including three sets or more of a set of a stacked structure including a high transmitting layer and a low transmitting layer, the high transmitting layer and the low transmitting layer are made of a material consisting of silicon and nitrogen, or a material consisting of silicon, nitrogen, oxygen, and one or more elements selected from a metalloid element and a non-metallic element, the high transmitting layer includes 50 atom % or more nitrogen content and has a thickness of 12 nm or less, and the low transmitting layer includes less than 50 atom % nitrogen content and has a thickness less than the high transmitting layer.

A mask blank having fast repair rate of EB defect repair and high repair rate ratio to EB defect repair relative to a transparent substrate that includes a phase shift film on a transparent substrate, the phase shift film has a structure including three sets or more of a set of a stacked structure including a high transmitting layer and a low transmitting layer, the high transmitting layer and the low transmitting layer are made of a material consisting of silicon and nitrogen, or a material consisting of silicon, nitrogen, oxygen, and one or more elements selected from a metalloid element and a non-metallic element, the high transmitting layer includes 50 atom % or more nitrogen content and has a thickness of 12 nm or less, and the low transmitting layer includes less than 50 atom % nitrogen content and has a thickness less than the high transmitting layer.