Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Fraunhofer CNT and ASELTA Nanographics Start Joint Collaboration to Address Manufacturing Challenges of Mask and Direct-Write E-Beam Lithography

Home > Press > Fraunhofer CNT and ASELTA Nanographics Start Joint Collaboration to Address Manufacturing Challenges of Mask and Direct-Write E-Beam Lithography

Abstract:
Fraunhofer Center Nanoelectronic Technologies (CNT), Dresden and ASELTA Nanographics, Grenoble, today announced the joint development of e-beam proximity effect correction solutions for both mask writing and maskless lithography (ML2) applications. ASELTA Nanographics develops software solutions that reduce manufacturing writing time costs for chips at the 32nm node and beyond while improving pattern fidelity, including cycle time and lithography-image quality.

Fraunhofer CNT and ASELTA Nanographics Start Joint Collaboration to Address Manufacturing Challenges of Mask and Direct-Write E-Beam Lithography

Dresden, Germany and Grenoble, France | Posted on February 9th, 2012

"ASELTA is excited about funding a joint laboratory with Fraunhofer CNT in order to get access to leading edge e-beam equipment and validate its work on e-beam proximity effect correction. CNT team expertise in data preparation of direct writing either with mask manufacturing is an important aspect of the collaboration, and we will initially focus our effort at exploring the EUV mask challenges" said Dr. Serdar Manakli, ASELTA CEO. "E-beam proximity effects have been under-estimated so far in mask manufacturing. Our experience has proven that with our unique expertise, we can provide our customers with dramatic productivity improvement and lifetime extension of current equipment through this collaboration."

"Research and development of application-ready technology with industrial partners is one of our main missions and ASELTA is one of the leading companies in this field. This research is essential for the technologies of mask writing and ML2 applications, not only for the development of proximity effect corrections but also for various practical application factors in data preparation. Fraunhofer CNT is happy to provide hardware and process solutions to evaluate proximity effects used both in direct write and mask manufacturing" said Dr. Christoph Hohle, Group Manager Patterning / E-Beam at Fraunhofer CNT. "Throughout this joint work, the rising technological concerns in future sub-30nm mask writing and ML2 applications, such as proximity effect corrections or writing times, will have proper solutions."

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About Fraunhofer CNT
Fraunhofer CNT, opened on 31st May 2005, is an example of the close cooperation between research and manufacturing for which Dresden provides excellent conditions. Within the premises of Infineon Technologies, 800 m2 clean room area (class 1000), 130m2 laboratory space and a leading 300mm toolset are available for the research of Fraunhofer CNT. The main focus is the characterization of materials, the development of analytic methods and the improvement of process technologies. Due to the industry standards, innovations can be integrated quickly into the manufacturing process and the production costs and time can be reduced considerably. The E- Beam division at CNT provides substantial know-how and a state of the art high-resolution lithography device cluster (Vistec VSB SB3050DW, 50KeV) for the development and evaluation of future technologies. Additionally, Fraunhofer CNT was partner of the European Consortia MAGIC, aiming at research and development for Maskless Lithography (ML2).

About ASELTA:

ASELTA is a privately funded French company providing software environment mostly for the e- beam market. A CEA-LETI spin-off, incorporated in November 2009, ASELTA has production customers benefiting from its technology. Its unique architecture allows customers to increase resolution, accuracy and reduce writing time for their e-beam equipment with a seamless plug- and-play environment. Its corporate headquarters are at Minatec BHT, Bat.52 7 Parvis Louis Néel, BP50, 38040, Grenoble.

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Contacts:
Fraunhofer-Center Nanoelektronische Technologien Koenigsbruecker Str. 180 01099 Dresden Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 351 / 2607 3001
Fax: +49 (0) 351 / 2607 3005

Dr. Christoph Hohle
Phone: +49 351 2607 3013

ASELTA
Minatec BHT, Bat.52 7 Parvis Louis Néel, BP50
38040 Grenoble, France
Christophe Guittard
Phone: +33 6 19 41 77 62