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Definition: electron beam lithography


Using electron beams to create the mask patterns directly on a chip. The wavelength of an electron beam is only a few picometers compared to the 248 to 365 nanometer wavelengths of light used to create the traditional photomasks.




Magnified 35,000 Times
The tiny lines on this silicon wafer were created using Lucent's SCALPEL electron beam lithography. The right-leaning lines are .08 microns wide. It would take 1,250 of them to equal the width of one human hair. (Image courtesy of Lucent Technologies.)