Film 3" x 3" PhotoMask
GB £52.80
Emulsion Film Photomask
3" x 3" x 0.007"
Availability:
In stock
SKU
F030307-BE-PY
All high resolution photomask films are imaged and processed using a fully automated system, operating continuously throughout the day and night. This automation minimizes handling, thereby enhancing quality and allowing for high production capacity.
BASE MATERIAL
All photomask films are produced using Agfa Idealine HPF (High Resolution Plotter Film), a 0.18 mm thick polyester film coated with a photographic emulsion on one side. Specifically engineered for high resolution and consistency, these films are both imaged and inspected in controlled environments to ensure dimensional stability. For optimal accuracy, maintain the films in conditions of 21 °C and 50% relative humidity.
RESOLUTIONS
Photomask films can be written at four resolution levels, referred to as "grades." Higher resolutions result in better feature quality. Refer to the SPECIFICATIONS section for details on how resolution grade affects dimensional accuracy and feature tolerances.
Grade 1: LOW Resolution. While capable of resolving smaller features, we recommend maintaining features above 50 µm due to significant corner rounding. Edge sharpness is acceptable for non-critical designs, though arcs, circles, and diagonal lines may exhibit pixellation. Features below 40 µm are not supported unless pre-approved on a best-effort basis.
Grade 2: MEDIUM Resolution. Suitable for features down to 25 µm with generally good line edges and only minor pixellation. Corner rounding is visible under magnification. Features below 25 µm require prior agreement and are handled on a best-effort basis.
Grade 3: HIGH Resolution. A good balance of quality and cost. Resolves down to 12 µm with strong edge definition and minimal pixellation. Some distortion may occur in circular or square features. Corner rounding is typically acceptable.
Grade 4: PREMIER Resolution. Our highest quality option, ideal for demanding, high-precision films. Resolves down to 5 µm (geometry-dependent) with clean edges and minimal corner rounding, visible only under high magnification. For features below 10 µm, mixed positive and negative data in a single design is not permitted where dimensional accuracy is critical.
CAD FORMAT
Only a subset of supported data formats is listed above. If your format is not shown, please contact us for confirmation. A full drafting service is also available, allowing us to create designs from drawings or specifications.
PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
Standard turnaround is 4 days from receipt of artwork, purchase order, and associated documents. Checkplots are issued for every order and must be approved promptly to maintain schedule. Lead times assume data packages are correct and require no revisions. For multiple high-resolution orders, please confirm availability before ordering same day service.
Standard (4 days): Our standard service. While 99% of orders ship within this timeframe, lead times may vary during peak periods. Timely data submission and paperwork completion can lead to earlier dispatch. Checkplot approval is expected within 4 hours. Orders received after 1 pm will count from the following business day.
2 Days: Premium service. Complete manufacturing package (data, instructions, order) must be received by 11:00 am. Checkplot approval expected within 1 hour.
Same Day: Premium service. Complete manufacturing package must be received by 9:30 am. Check production capacity for large GRADE 4 films on a sameday service before ordering . Checkplot approval expected within 30 minutes.
8 Days: Discounted service for non-urgent orders.
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POLARITY Films are classified as Clearfield (positive) or Darkfield (negative). In positive polarity, CAD-drawn features appear as emulsion, with the background as clear polyester. In negative polarity, the drawn features are clear and the background is emulsion. Please indicate the film orientation as viewed on screen by including a small text reference in the design and specifying if the text should be right-reading or wrong-reading. |
INSPECTION
All photomasks are subject to a rigorous inspection process, regardless of the selected inspection class. Critical parameters such as CD (Critical Dimension) size and uniformity are measured and recorded internally. High-magnification images are captured using Nikon MM40 (900×) and OGP ZIP 300 (400×) systems, and stored with our production records. In some industries—particularly medical or automotive—additional inspection documentation may be required for compliance with quality systems. You can select the level of documentation to be provided with your order.
Standard: Full inspection performed; no documentation issued.
Certificate of Conformance: Printed certificate confirming compliance with inspection criteria.
Certificate of Measurement: Verifies up to 10 user-defined dimensions against specified tolerances. A CAD file or drawing must be provided indicating the positions to be measured. Additional measurements available on request.
CHECKPLOT
Before production, we supply a checkplot—an essential part of our approval workflow. This checkplot is a high resolution PDF graphic, emailed to you for review. It provides an overview of the design layout, helping you confirm pattern alignment, feature placement, and polarity. However, it is a rasterised image and not suitable for verifying precise dimensions.
For critical designs where dimensional accuracy must be confirmed at the CAD level, we recommend using our online CAD checkplot viewer. This platform allows you to inspect your design using vector data, ensuring that features such as linewidth and spacing match your expectations. You can zoom in to inspect fine details, toggle layers, and therefore compare your submitted file against our interpreted version.
Checkplot approval is mandatory before manufacturing begins. No production will start until confirmation is received. Ensure that your review includes polarity, reading direction, and any reference markers required by your process.
For more details, see our Checkplot Information Page.
YOUR DRAWING NUMBER
Include your CAD file name or drawing number to ensure the uploaded data is correctly matched with your order.
NOTES
Use this section to specify any additional requirements or details relevant to the order.
Refer to the TECHNICAL, DOWNLOAD, and FAQ sections for more information. For further assistance, please contact us via email or LIVE SUPPORT.
| Specification | BASE MATERIAL
COATING
RESOLUTIONS |
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| FAQ | FAQ's
Q: What is the smallest feature you can produce? A: This depends on imaging resolution, mask polarity, and feature type (spot, square, line, etc.). As a general guide, features of 8–10 µm are achievable with Grade 4, and possibly down to 5µm depending on the feature type.
Q: How accurate are the features? What tolerances do you work to? A: Accuracy is determined by the imaging resolution. Click here to refer to the Technical/Resolutions/Hi Res Film menu on our website for a chart detailing both feature and dimensional tolerances.
Q: What resolution should I choose? A: Higher resolutions yield sharper feature edges, finer minimum features, improved accuracy, cleaner corners, and smoother curves. The importance of these factors varies by application. If uncertain, select a higher resolution to meet critical requirements. We can advise further if you send us your design.
Q: What do the terms POLARITY and FIELD mean? A: Polarity refers to the tone of the film—either Positive or Negative. It defines whether the design features are CLEAR or DARK on the final plate. The field is the background tone. In a DARKFIELD mask, the drawn features are CLEAR against a DARK background. In a CLEARFIELD mask, the background is CLEAR and the features are DARK. This refers to the polarity of the film we produce, not the polarity of your wafer. In contact lithography, your choice of photoresist also affects which polarity to use.
Q: I’ve designed my mask with the wrong polarity. What should I do? A: We can invert the tone using your existing design file. There is no need to submit revised data.
Q: What is Right Reading, Wrong Reading, and Mirrored? A: “Right Reading Emulsion Side Down” describes a film used in contact lithography where the image appears correctly when viewed through the substrate with the emulsion side facing the wafer. This is equivalent to “Wrong Reading Emulsion Side Up.” For further explanation, please click here to refer to the Technical/Product Options/Polarity menu on our website
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Material Specifications
General
BASE MATERIAL
COATING
RESOLUTIONS
FAQ's
Q: What is the smallest feature you can produce?
A: This depends on imaging resolution, mask polarity, and feature type (spot, square, line, etc.). As a general guide, features of 8–10 µm are achievable with Grade 4, and possibly down to 5µm depending on the feature type.
Q: How accurate are the features? What tolerances do you work to?
A: Accuracy is determined by the imaging resolution. Click here to refer to the Technical/Resolutions/Hi Res Film menu on our website for a chart detailing both feature and dimensional tolerances.
Q: What resolution should I choose?
A: Higher resolutions yield sharper feature edges, finer minimum features, improved accuracy, cleaner corners, and smoother curves. The importance of these factors varies by application. If uncertain, select a higher resolution to meet critical requirements. We can advise further if you send us your design.
Q: What do the terms POLARITY and FIELD mean?
A: Polarity refers to the tone of the film—either Positive or Negative. It defines whether the design features are CLEAR or DARK on the final plate. The field is the background tone. In a DARKFIELD mask, the drawn features are CLEAR against a DARK background. In a CLEARFIELD mask, the background is CLEAR and the features are DARK. This refers to the polarity of the film we produce, not the polarity of your wafer. In contact lithography, your choice of photoresist also affects which polarity to use.
Q: I’ve designed my mask with the wrong polarity. What should I do?
A: We can invert the tone using your existing design file. There is no need to submit revised data.
Q: What is Right Reading, Wrong Reading, and Mirrored?
A: “Right Reading Emulsion Side Down” describes a film used in contact lithography where the image appears correctly when viewed through the substrate with the emulsion side facing the wafer. This is equivalent to “Wrong Reading Emulsion Side Up.” For further explanation, please click here to refer to the Technical/Product Options/Polarity menu on our website
