Pellicle Protection Of Integrated Circuit (IC) Masks

The demand for higher yields in IC fabrication, economic pressure to realize the potential of projection aligners, the requirement of defect-free reticles for water steppers, and the need to reduce mask handling on the production line have generated. considerable interest in pellicle protection. of IC masks and reticles. In this paper, the mask protection problem is examined with emphasis given to the relevant optical requirements of pellicles for various projection. systems.