An alignment mark mask element protects an underlying alignment mark
during subsequent processing of a fabrication substrate. The alignment
mark mask element is formed concurrent with formation of a photomask from
a dual-tone photoresist that exhibits a pattern reversal upon exposure to
an energy level. A portion of the dual-tone photoresist above the
alignment mark is exposed to an energy sufficient to reverse a positive
tone resist to a negative tone, which remains above the alignment mark
after developing. The remainder of the dual-tone photoresist is exposed
through a reticle at a lesser energy level and patterned to define
aperture locations of a photomask for formation of semiconductor device
features. In addition, a photomask for use on a fabrication substrate and
an intermediate semiconductor device are disclosed. Methods of forming a
photomask and an intermediate semiconductor device structure are also
disclosed.