Photomask Creation

 

Photomasks are an indispensable component in the lithographic process of semiconductor manufacturing. A photomask is a high-purity quartz or glass plate containing precision images of integrated circuits Chip manufacturers use photomask as a "master" to optically transfer these images onto semiconductor wafers.

 

The dice or reticles contained on the wafer are manufactured layer by layer, each requiring a unique photomask. The current generation of advanced chips has 25 or more layers that are designed with sub wavelength features, rendering the photomask a critical technology in photolithography.