VPG⁺ 200/400

A powerful production tool for standard photomasks and microstructures in i-line resists

VPG⁺ 200/400 Volume Pattern Generators are direct laser lithography systems designed for the production of standard photomasks and for i-line resist applications. VPG⁺can be used for direct exposure of reticle masks in any size up to 400 mm. Applications include product prototyping, MEMS, advanced packaging, 3D integration, LED and OLED production, microfluidics and compound semiconductors.

VPG⁺ features an ultra-high-speed exposure engine and automated alignment, both specifically developed for the VPG⁺200/400 systems. This field-proven technology combines high resolution, outstanding image quality and fast throughput. VPG⁺200 and 400 systems handle maximum substrate sizes to suit different throughput requirements. Stabilization of writing conditions ensures mask-to-mask reproducibility and compensates for any variations during long exposures.

Exposure Quality

Edge roughness 40 nm; CD uniformity 65 nm; Mura correction; edge detection

High Exposure Speed

Custom-made high-speed spatial light modulator; optimized optical engine performance and data path, making it the fastest tool available on the market in its category; 14″ (400 mm) in <21 minutes

Writing Stability

Integrated metrology system with flowbox and software correction to compensate for any variations in environmental parameters

Alignment Accuracy

2nd layer alignment 225 nm; autofocus compensation range 80 um; stitching 60 nm

Automated Alignment

Automated global and field alignment with distortion correction. Sophisticated 2D correction matrix for stage position calibration

Overall Cost of Ownership

Laser power consumption ca. 25.270 EUR/year at 0.2 EUR/kWh, 90% tool operation; other consumables 38.500 EUR/year

Variable Stage Dimensions

Accommodate substrates up to 205 mm or 410 mm

3 Write Modes

Resolution varying from 750 nm to 2 µm

Laser Source

355 nm laser for exposing i-line resists such as SU-8 and IP 3600. 532 nm laser for writing emulsion photomasks

Customization

Special substrates, special loader, special mask/substrate handling on request

Service Contracts

Service Level Agreements for faster on-site support and access to spare parts

Customer applications

A full 150-mm-wafer filled with a hexagonal pillar array. In such 2D replication master, no visible stitching errors are allowed. The resulting circular structures have a diameter of around 1.7 μm at the top and around 3 μm at the pitch.
(Courtesy of IMS Chips) — A full 150-mm-wafer filled with a hexagonal pillar array. In such 2D replication master, no visible stitching errors are allowed. The resulting circular structures have a diameter of around 1.7 μm at the top and around 3 μm at the pitch. (Courtesy of IMS Chips)

8-level quartz Diffractive Optical Element (DOE) exposed using VPG+ system. The pixels are about 2 μm in size, the array of devices covers an area of about 20 mm.
(Courtesy of IMS Chips) — 8-level quartz Diffractive Optical Element (DOE) exposed using VPG⁺ system. The pixels are about 2 μm in size, the array of devices covers an area of about 20 mm. (Courtesy of IMS Chips)

The IMS Gate Forest® technology is a “sea-of-gates” mixed-signal gate array integrating analog and digital functionality on a single chip. The microelectronic elements on the master can be individually configured by adding the respective contacts. In a Mix&Match-approach, stepper lithography patterned the CMOS masters, and personalized contacts and metallization layers were added using VPG+ 400 laser lithography. (Courtesy of IMS Chips) — The IMS Gate Forest® technology is a “sea-of-gates” mixed-signal gate array integrating analog and digital functionality on a single chip. The microelectronic elements on the master can be individually configured by adding the respective contacts. In a Mix&Match-approach, stepper lithography patterned the CMOS masters, and personalized contacts and metallization layers were added using VPG⁺ 400 laser lithography. (Courtesy of IMS Chips)

The VPG+ series present the solution to fabricate high quality photomasks required for advanced packaging applications. For some applications, e.g Through-Silicon-Via (TSV) for 3D integrated circuits, direct write lithography is currently the only available advanced packaging solution. The VPG+ series of maskless lithography systems offer high speed, automatic distortion compensation and excellent resolution in order to master these applications. — The VPG⁺ series present the solution to fabricate high quality photomasks required for advanced packaging applications. For some applications, e.g Through-Silicon-Via (TSV) for 3D integrated circuits, direct write lithography is currently the only available advanced packaging solution. The VPG+ series of maskless lithography systems offer high speed, automatic distortion compensation and excellent resolution in order to master these applications.

Waveguides for Photonics applications created using Mix&Match-approach with both e-beam and laser lithography.
(Courtesy of IMS Chips) — Waveguides for Photonics applications created using Mix&Match-approach with both e-beam and laser lithography. (Courtesy of IMS Chips)

Write mode	I	II	III
Writing performance
Minimum structure size [μm]	0.75	1	2
Address grid [nm]	12.5	25	50
Edge roughness [3σ, nm]	40	50	70
CD uniformity [3σ, nm]	65	75	110
Stitching [3σ, nm]	60	70	100
2nd layer alignment [3σ, nm]	225	350	500
Write speed [mm²/min]	970	3150	6400

System features
Light source	High power DPSS laser with 355 nm
Maximum substrate sizes	9″ x 9″ / 17″ x 17″
Substrate thickness	0 to 9 mm
Maximum exposure area	205 mm x 205 mm / 410 mm x 410 mm
Autofocus	Realtime autofocus system
Autofocus compensation range	80 µm
Flowbox	(Closed-loop) temperature controlled environmental chamber
Alignment	Camera system for metrology and alignment
Other features	Stage map correction, Mura correction, Edge detector system, Multiple data input formats (DXF, CIF, GDSII and Gerber files)

System dimensions	VPG⁺ 200	VPG⁺ 400
	System / Electronic rack	System / Electronic rack
Width [mm]	2350 / 800	2350 / 800
Depth [mm]	1650 / 650	1650 / 650
Height [mm]	2100 / 1800	2100 / 1800
Weight [kg]	3000 / 180	3000 / 180

Installation requirements
Electrical	400 VAC ± 5 %, 50/60 Hz, 32 A
Compressed air	6 - 10 bar

Please note
Specifications depend on individual process conditions and may vary according to equipment configuration. Write speed depends on pixel size and write mode. Design and specifications are subject to change without prior notice

Download BROCHURE

VPG⁺ 200/400

A powerful production tool for standard photomasks and microstructures in i-line resists

Exposure Quality

High Exposure Speed

Writing Stability

Alignment Accuracy

Automated Alignment

Overall Cost of Ownership

Variable Stage Dimensions

3 Write Modes

Laser Source

Customization

Service Contracts

Customer applications

Technical Data

Get in Touch

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Stay connected

VPG+ 200/400

A powerful production tool for standard photomasks and microstructures in i-line resists

Exposure Quality

High Exposure Speed

Writing Stability

Alignment Accuracy

Automated Alignment

Overall Cost of Ownership

Variable Stage Dimensions

3 Write Modes

Laser Source

Customization

Service Contracts

Customer applications

Technical Data

Get in Touch

Sign up

Stay connected

VPG⁺ 200/400