Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of determining an overlay error between two layers of a multiple layer sample. SOLUTION: For a plurality of periodic targets that each have a first structure formed from a first layer and a second structure formed from a second layer of the sample, an optical system is employed to thereby measure an optical signal from each of the periodic targets. There are predefined offsets between the first and second structures. An overlay error between the first and second structures is determined by analyzing the measured optical signals from the periodic targets using a scatterometry overlay technique based on the predefined offsets. The optical system includes any one or more of a reflectometric system, polarimetric system, imaging system, interferometric system and/or scan angle system. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
A gallery of seed profiles is constructed and the initial parameter values associated with the profiles are selected using manufacturing process knowledge of semiconductor devices. Manufacturing process knowledge may also be used to select the best seed profile and the best set of initial parameter values as the starting point of an optimization process whereby data associated with parameter values of the profile predicted by a model is compared to measured data in order to arrive at values of the parameters. Film layers over or under the periodic structure may also be taken into account. Different radiation parameters such as the reflectivities Rs, Rp and ellipsometric parameters may be used in measuring the diffracting structures and the associated films. Some of the radiation parameters may be more sensitive to a change in the parameter value of the profile or of the films then other radiation parameters. One or more radiation parameters that are more sensitive to such changes may be selected in the above-described optimization process to arrive at a more accurate measurement. The above-described techniques may be supplied to a track/stepper and etcher to control the lithographic and etching processes in order to compensate for any errors in the profile parameters.
Abstract:
The determination of in-plane distortions of a substrate includes measuring one or more out-of-plane distortions of the substrate in an unchucked state, determining an effective film stress of a film on the substrate in the unchucked state based on the measured out-of-plane distortions of the substrate in the unchucked state, determining in-plane distortions of the substrate in a chucked state based on the effective film stress of the film on the substrate in the unchucked state and adjusting at least one of a process tool or an overlay tool based on at least one of the measured out-of-plane distortions or the determined in-plane distortions.
Abstract:
CONTROLLER :ios I 1110 I I PROCESSORS I MEMORY 126 122 124 (12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (19) World Intellectual Property Organization International Bureau (43) International Publication Date 02 August 2018 (02.08.2018) WIP0 I PCT ill mu °million °nolo olomollm loll mum oimiE (10) International Publication Number WO 2018/140534 Al (51) International Patent Classification: GO3F 7/20 (2006.01) H01L 21/027 (2006.01) (21) International Application Number: PCT/US2018/015104 (22) International Filing Date: 24 January 2018 (24.01.2018) (25) Filing Language: English (26) Publication Language: English (30) Priority Data: 62/450,454 25 January 2017 (25.01.2017) US 15/867,485 10 January 2018 (10.01.2018) US (71) Applicant: KLA-TENCOR CORPORATION [US/US]; Legal Department, One Technology Drive, Milpitas, Cali- fornia 95035 (US). (72) Inventors: ADEL, Michael A.; 14 Yigal Alon Street, 30900 Ya'akov Zichron (IL). MANASSEN, Amnon; 10 Golda Meir, 34892 Haifa (IL). PIERSON, William; 5212 Keene Cove, Austin, Texas 78730 (US). LEVY, Ady; 1323 Glen Eyrie Avenue, San Jose, California 95125 (US). SUBRAHMANYAN, Pradeep; 22117 Wallace Dri- ve, Cupertino, California 95014 (US). YERUSHALMI, Liran; 43 Inbar, 30900 Zicron Yaacob (IL). CHOI, Dongsub; Hyundae Hometown 102-501, Seocheon-dong, Kiheung-Ku, Kyunggi Province, Yongin City 446-960 (KR). HEO, Hoyoung; 464-816,11-9, Namhansanseong- ro, 792 Beon-gil, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do 31250 (KR). ALUMOT, Dror; 1 Einstein St., 7647001 Rehovot (IL). ROBINSON, John; 4000 North Hills Drive, Austin, Texas 78731 (US). (74) Agent: MCANDREWS, Kevin et al.; Kla-Tencor Corpo- ration, Legal Department, One Technology Drive, Milpitas, California 95035 (US). (81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM, AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BN, BR, BW, BY, BZ, = (54) Title: OVERLAY CONTROL WITH NON-ZERO OFFSET PREDICTION 102 112 114 148 118 116 O 00 O C 120 4111111111111111 FIG.1 B (57) : A process control system may include a controller configured to receive after-development inspection (ADI) data after a lithography step for the current layer from an ADI tool, receive after etch inspection (AEI) overlay data after an exposure step of the current layer from an AEI tool, train a non-zero offset predictor with ADI data and AEI overlay data to predict a non-zero offset from input ADI data, generate values of the control parameters of the lithography tool using ADI data and non-zero offsets generated by the non-zero offset predictor, and provide the values of the control parameters to the lithography tool for fabricating the current layer on the at least one production sample. [Continued on next page] WO 2018/140534 Al MIDEDIMODOMMERIOMMHOIREHOMMEMOIMIE CA, CH, CL, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DJ, DK, DM, DO, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IR, IS, JO, JP, KE, KG, KH, KN, KP, KR, KW, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ, OM, PA, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, QA, RO, RS, RU, RW, SA, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW. (84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH, GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, ST, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, RU, TJ, TM), European (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW, KM, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG). Published: — with international search report (Art. 21(3))
Abstract:
A metrology performance analysis system includes a metrology tool including one or more detectors and a controller communicatively coupled to the one or more detectors. The controller is configured to receive one or more metrology data sets associated with a metrology target from the metrology tool in which the one or more metrology data sets include one or more measured metrology metrics and the one or more measured metrology metrics indicate deviations from nominal values. The controller is further configured to determine relationships between the deviations from the nominal values and one or more selected semiconductor process variations, and determine one or more root causes of the deviations from the nominal values based on the relationships between values of the one or more metrology metrics and the one or more selected semiconductor process variations.
Abstract:
A controller is configured to perform at least a first characterization process prior to at least one discrete backside film deposition process on a semiconductor wafer; perform at least an additional characterization process following the at least one discrete backside film deposition process; determine at least one of a film force or one or more in-plane displacements for at least one discrete backside film deposited on the semiconductor wafer via the at least one discrete backside film deposition process based on the at least the first characterization process and the at least the additional characterization process; and provide at least one of the film force or the one or more in-plane displacements to at least one process tool via at least one of a feed forward loop or a feedback loop to improve performance of one or more fabrication processes.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for monitoring parameters characterizing a set of hot spot structures fabricated at different locations on a semiconductor wafer are presented herein. The hot spot structures are device structures that exhibit sensitivity to process variations and give rise to limitations on permissible process variations that must be enforced to prevent device failures and low yield. A trained hot spot measurement model is employed to receive measurement data generated by one or more metrology systems at one or more metrology targets and directly determine values of one or more hot spot parameters. The hot spot measurement model is trained to establish a functional relationship between one or more characteristics of a hot spot structure under consideration and corresponding measurement data associated with measurements of at least one metrology target on the same wafer. A fabrication process parameter is adjusted based on the value of a measured hot spot parameter.
Abstract:
An apparatus for illuminating a target surface, the apparatus having a plurality of LED arrays, where each of the arrays has a plurality of individually addressable LEDs, and where at least one of the arrays is disposed at an angle of between about forty-five degrees and about ninety degrees relative to the target surface, where all of the arrays supply light into a light pipe, the light pipe having interior walls made of a reflective material, where light exiting the light pipe illuminates the target surface, and a controller for adjusting an intensity of the individually addressable light sources.