How can you clean a photomask?
How to clean photomasks manually If the masks are not too heavily contaminated, acceptable results can be achieved with the following technique:
- First soak the mask in a solution of Decon 90 for approximately 10-15 minutes
- Wipe carefully with a clean, pre-wetted, PVA sponge
- Rinse the mask in running filtered D.I. water (starting by continuing the wiping process under running D.I. water if possible)
- Leave to dry in a clean air environment
You can also use our photomask cleaning service, particularly recommended for heavily contaminated masks
- Our cleaning processes are based on the use of a sulphuric acid / hydrogen peroxide mix
- Our UK and Fremont facilities use purpose designed automatic single substrate mask cleaning tools such as the HMR900 system, manufactured by HamaTech, now part of SUSS MicroTec
- HMR900 tools clean the mask by dispensing a small quantity of sulphuric acid and hydrogen peroxide onto one surface (facing upward) while it is slowly rotated in the process chamber. The mask is then rinsed free of chemicals, sprayed with a high pressure ionised (with ammonia) water spray, brushed with a rotating PVA sponge brush, rinsed again and finally spun dry.
