1 March 2016 Photomask design method for pattern-integrated interference lithography
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Abstract
Pattern-integrated interference lithography (PIIL) combines multibeam interference lithography and projection lithography simultaneously to produce two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) periodic-lattice-based microstructures in a rapid, single-exposure step. Using a comprehensive PIIL vector model and realistic photolithographic conditions, PIIL exposures for a representative photonic-crystal (PhC) 90 deg bend waveguide are simulated in the volume of the photoresist film. The etched structures in the underlying substrate are estimated as well. Due to the imperfect integration of the photomask within the interference pattern, the interference pattern is locally distorted, thereby impacting the PhC periodic lattice and potentially the device performance. To mitigate these distortions, a photomask optimization method for PIIL is presented in this work. With an improved photomask, pillar-area and pillar-displacement errors in the vicinity of the waveguide are reduced by factors of 3.3 and 2.7, respectively. Furthermore, calculated transmission spectra show that the performance of the PIIL-produced PhC device is as good as that of its idealized equivalent.
© 2016 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) 1932-5150/2016/$25.00 © 2016 SPIE
Matthieu C. R. Leibovici and Thomas K. Gaylord "Photomask design method for pattern-integrated interference lithography," Journal of Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS 15(1), 014502 (1 March 2016). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JMM.15.1.014502
Published: 1 March 2016
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KEYWORDS
Photomasks

Waveguides

Lithography

Photoresist materials

Silicon

3D microstructuring

Diffraction

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