Etching 200mm diameter SCALPEL(TM) Masks with the ASE(TM) Process

The Advanced Silicon Etch (ASE(TM)) process has been used for silicon substrate etching for the manufacture of SCALPEL(TM) (SCattering using Angular Limitation Projection E-beam Lithography) masks. The current SCALPEL mask fabrication process uses an aqueous solution of KOH to etch the membrane support struts in 100mm diameter, crystalline silicon wafers. This technique is not suitable for the manufacture of large diameter masks with thicker substrates. Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching, using the ASE process, provides the only alternative etch technique. This gives support struts with vertical profiles, yielding a higher printable area than with wet etching, and is ideal for etching the substrates of large diameter masks. In addition to this, and to the benefits of dry over wet etching, the ASE process allows the use of wafers of any crystal orientation and gives greater flexibility in pattern placement and geometry. This paper presents process optimization data based on 200mm diameter wafers, using a system designed specifically for this application. The key aspects of this work have focused on etch rate, CD control and uniformity enhancement. Etch rate determines the economic feasibility of this approach, particularly with etch depths of ~750microns. Uniform etching is required to minimize the time to clear the membranes, and the CD tolerances must be met so that structural integrity is maintained. The large exposed silicon areas, (>40% global and >80% local), the macro loading effects caused by the edge of the pattern, and the need for near vertical strut profile, make these requirements more difficult to achieve. Etch rate and uniformity achieved, exceed the minimum specification of >2microns/min and