In a method of inspecting an outer surface of a mask pod, a stream of air is directed at a first location of a plurality of locations on the outer surface. One or more particles are removed by the directed stream of air from the first location on the outer surface. Scattered air from the first location of the outer surface is extracted and a number of particles in the extracted scattered air is determined as a sampled number of particles at the first location. The mask pod is moved and the stream of air is directed at other locations of the plurality of locations to determine the sampled number of particles in extracted scattered air at the other locations. A map of the particles on the outer surface of the mask pod is generated based on the sampled number of particles at the plurality of locations.

A storage apparatus for storing an object includes a load port unit that a receptacle is loaded onto or unloaded from, in which the receptacle accommodates the object in a storage space formed by a body and a cover that covers the body, and a controller. The load port unit includes a housing having an interior space, a stage member that is provided on the housing and that opens the storage space by moving the body, the receptacle being seated on the stage member, and an exhaust tube that evacuates a spacing space between the body and the cover spaced apart from each other. One end of the exhaust tube faces toward the spacing space, and an opposite end of the exhaust tube faces toward the interior space.

A clamping device, a storage system and an operating method for an EUV reticle stocker are provided. The required space for storing EUV reticles is significantly reduced while ensuring a high quality storage environment for the stored EUV reticles. A stocker for storing EUV reticles is also provided.

A method and a system for inspecting an extreme ultra violet mask and a mask pod for such masks is provided. An EUV mask inspection tool inspects a mask retrieved from a mask pod placed on the load port positioned exterior of the mask inspection tool. The inspection process is performed during a selected period of time. After the inspection process is initiated, a robotic handling mechanism such as a robotic arm or an AMHS picks up the mask pod and inspects the mask pod for foreign particles. A mask pod inspection tool determines whether the mask pod needs cleaning or replacing based on a selected swap criteria. The mask pod is retrieved from the mask pod inspection tool and placed on the load port before the selected period of time lapses. This method and system promotes a reduction in the overall time required for inspecting the mask and the mask pod.

A reticle enclosure includes a base including a first surface, a cover including a second surface and coupled to the base with the first surface facing the second surface. The base and the cover form an internal space that includes a reticle. The reticle enclosure includes restraining mechanisms arranged in the internal space and for securing the reticle, and structures disposed adjacent the reticle in the internal space. The structures enclose the reticle at least partially, and limit passage of contaminants between the internal space and an external environment of the reticle enclosure. The structures include barriers disposed on the first and second surfaces. In other examples, a padding is installed in gaps between the barriers and the first and second surfaces. In other examples, the structures include wall structures disposed on the first and second surfaces and between the restraining mechanisms.

The first layer mark and the second layer mark are adapted to be projected onto each other during the lithographic process. The first layer components and the second layer components are adapted to be arranged in a plurality of different overlay configurations, each overlay configuration comprising a number of the plurality of the first layer components and a number of the plurality of the second layer components, and each overlay configuration having a different overlay distance at which each first layer component is arranged in a first direction of an associated second layer component of the second layer components. The method comprises determining an overlay step which represents a difference between the different overlay distances of the plurality of overlay configurations, determining a largest overlay distance, determining the number of first layer components and/or the number of associated second layer components in each overlay configuration.

A reticle pod is provided. The reticle pod includes a container and a fluid regulating module mounted to the container. The fluid regulating module includes a first cap, a second cap and a sealing film. The first cap and the second cap are connected to each other. A flowing path is formed between the first cap and the second cap for allowing a fluid passing through the fluid regulating module. The sealing film is positioned between the first cap and the second cap and configured for regulating a flow of the fluid passing through the flowing path.

An EUV photolithography system utilizes a baseplate of an EUV pod to unload an EUV reticle from a chuck within an EUV scanner. The baseplate includes a top surface and support pins extending from the top surface. The when the reticle is unloaded onto the baseplate, the support pins hold the reticle at relatively large distance from the top surface of the baseplate. The support pins have a relatively low resistance. The large distance and low resistance help ensure that particles do not travel from the baseplate to the reticle during unloading.

A stocker for holding a plurality of reticle pods is provided. Each of the reticle pods is configured to accommodate a reticle assembly. The reticle assembly includes a reticle and a pellicle covering the reticle. The stocker includes a main frame and an electrostatic generator. The main frame has an inner space and at least one pod support disposed in the inner space. The pod support divides the inner space into a plurality of chambers configured to respectively accommodate the plurality of reticle pods. The electrostatic generator is coupled to the reticle assembly and configured to generate static electricity to the reticle assembly. The static electricity alternates between positive electricity and negative electricity.

A method of cleaning a surface of a reticle includes retrieving a reticle from a reticle library and transferring the reticle to a first exposure device. The surface of the reticle is cleaned in the first exposure device by irradiating the surface of the reticle with an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation for a predetermined irradiation time. After the cleaning, the reticle is transferred to a second exposure device for lithography operation.