This dissertation focuses on issues related to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography mask

technology: mask inspection and mask 3D effects on imaging performance. Actinic (at-

wavelength) mask inspection (both blank and patterned mask) is of critical concern for

EUV lithography. In this dissertation, systematic studies exploring the optimal optical

system design to improve the defect detection sensitivity for both actinic mask blank and

patterned mask inspection tools using EUV light are presented. For EUV mask blank in-

spection, a complete discussion is conducted to compare the conventional bright field method

and the Zernike phase contrast method on their phase defect detection sensitivity by thin

mask simulations and experiments using the SHARP EUV microscope at Lawrence Berke-

ley National Laboratory (LBNL). The study shows that higher defect detection sensitivity

and in-focus inspection capability can be achieved by the Zernike phase contrast method,

while the conventional bright field method needs through-focus scanning and results in lower

defect detection sensitivity. Experimental results show that a programmed defect as small

as 0.35 nm in height is detected at best focus with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) ≈ 8 by

the Zernike phase contrast method. With the considerations of various noise sources and

system design, the thin mask simulation results show that the dark field method has better

detection efficiency in inspection mode, while the Zernike phase contrast method is better in

review mode (pixel size ≤ 25 nm). Further, the impact of pixel size, EUV source type, and

photon collection efficiency for a dark field based actinic blank inspection tool is discussed

by thin mask simulation. The simulation results show the complex correlation between each

parameter on defect inspection efficiency and also show that 10-watt EUV source power and

100 nm pixel size are needed to capture a phase defect of height 0.5 nm.

For EUV patterned mask inspection, the possibility of using the optimum phase shift in

the pupil plane to improve inspection efficiency is discussed using a thin mask model. Then

the nature of the EUV mask pattern defect is analyzed by its near field distribution using

a thick mask model. The simulation results indicate that, as a result of 3D effects leading

to phase artifacts, pattern defects cannot be simply treated as ideal absorber defects. The

results can affect the choice of optimal patterned mask inspection tool design. Moreover, a

study of a bright field based EUV actinic pattern inspection tool design using a hybrid (2D

+ 3D) model is presented, showing that the impact of noise sources and optical design on

critical pattern defects detection sensitivity. The study shows that introducing a − 50 nm

defocus into the inspection system can improve the SNR by 50%.

The impact of EUV sub-resolution assist feature (SRAF) on mitigation of mask 3D effects

is discussed by rigorous 3D modeling. The simulation results show that introducing SRAFs

in the mask design induces even stronger effective single pole aberration into the imaging

system to balance the Bossung curve. Asymmetric SRAFs pattern placement can achieve

a 21% improvement of the process window. Moreover, the complex interaction between the

main feature and the SRAFs is analyzed by systematic position sensitivity studies. Bossung

tilt sensitivity with respect to the relative positions between main feature and SRAFs is

shown, which indicates that different location precision requirements are needed for SRAFs

during the mask-making process.