Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for altering the phase and/or amplitude of an optical beam within an inspection system using one or more spatial light modulators (SLMs). SOLUTION: An apparatus 100 for optically inspecting a sample includes a beam generator 102 for directing an incident optical beam 115 onto a sample 116. An output beam 125 is directed from the sample toward a detector 126 via an optical image forming systems 120 and 124. The apparatus further includes a programmable spatial light modulator (SLM) positioned within an optical path of either the output beam or the incident beam. The SLM includes a first SLM along with an irradiation aperture 108 and a second SLM along with a field aperture 112, and is configured to adjust a phase or amplitude profile of the incident beam or the output beam. The SLM is configured to alter an illumination profile of the incident beam to achieve different inspection modes. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection tool including illumination elements for directing light beams at different wavelengths, or at different angles of incidence, or by a combination thereof. SOLUTION: A beam creates reflected light and scattered light optical signals. Scanning elements and optical detector elements are provided. The optical detector elements receive reflected light signals and scattered light signals. A circuit for receiving the reflected light signals and the scattered light signals is used, the value of thickness for a partially transmissive layer formed on a workpiece is determined, and the effect of the thickness of the partially transmissive layer is corrected, so that signals identify and characterize the defects of the workpiece. Further, the present invention also includes descriptions of methods for achieving such inspections. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a measuring method and device for easily performing exact measurement of an extremely fine line width and quantification about a profile of an etching structure on a pattern wafer. SOLUTION: Before the diffraction from a diffracting structure 12c on a semiconductor wafer, the film thickness and index of refraction of a film underneath the structure are first measured using a spectroscopic reflectometry or spectroscopic ellipsometry when required. A rigorous model is then used to calculate the intensity or the ellipsometric signature of the diffracting structure. The diffracting structure 12c is then measured using a spectroscopic scatterometer using polarized radiation and broadband radiation to obtain the intensity or an ellipsometric signature of the diffracting structure. This signature is matched with the signature in a database to determine the grating shape parameter of the structure. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable high-speed inspection of semiconductor wafers. SOLUTION: A plurality of independent, low cost, optical-inspection subsystems 30 are packaged and integrated to simultaneously perform parallel inspections of portions of the wafer 20. The wafer location relative to the inspection is controlled so that the entire wafer is imaged by the system of optical subsystems in a raster-scan mode. A monochromatic coherent-light source illuminates the wafer surface. A darkfield-optical system collects scattered light and filters patterns produced by valid periodic wafer structures using Fourier filtering. The filtered light is processed by general purpose digital-signal processors. Image subtraction methods are used to detect wafer defects, which are reported to a main computer 50 to aid in statistical process control, particularly for manufacturing equipment. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine a grating shape parameter of a diffracting structure on a wafer. SOLUTION: Before the diffraction from the diffracting structure 12c on a semiconductor wafer 12a is measured, the film thickness and index of the refraction of a film 12b underneath the structure are first measured using spectroscopic reflectometry 60 or spectroscopic ellipsometry 34 when required. A rigorous model is then used to calculate the intensity or the ellipsometric characteristic parameter of the diffracting structure 12c. The diffracting structure 12c is then measured using a spectroscopic scatterometer using polarized radiation and broadband radiation to obtain the intensity or an ellipsometric characteristic parameter of the diffracting structure 12c. Such a characteristic parameter is then matched with the characteristic parameter in a database to determine the grating shape parameter of the structure. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultra-broadband ultraviolet (UV) catadioptric video microscope system with a wide-range zooming function. SOLUTION: The microscope system including a catadioptric lens group and a zooming tube lens group, has a high optical resolution at ultra-UV wavelengths, a continuously adjustable magnification, and a high numerical aperture. This system integrates microscope modules such as objective lenses, tube lenses, and a zoom optics to reduce the number of components and simplify the manufacturing processes of the system. In a preferable embodiment, excellent image quality is obtained across a very wide ultra-ultraviolet spectrum range when combined with an all-refractive zooming tube lens. The zooming tube lens is modified to compensate for higher-order chromatic aberrations that would normally limit performance. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To analyze characteristics of a periodic structure formed on a sample on a real time basis.SOLUTION: A spectroscopic measurement module is used which generates output signals as a function of wavelength. The output signals create a theoretical initial model having a rectangular structure, by a processor. Next, the processor calculates a theoretical optical response of the sample to broad band radiation. The calculation result of the optical response is compared with values measured and normalized at a plurality of wavelengths. Based on the comparison, the model configuration is modified so as to be closer to an actual measured structure. The processor re-calculates the optical response of the modified model and compares the calculation result with normalized data. This process is repeated in an iterative manner until the optimal rectangular shape is achieved. Thereafter, the complexity of the model is iteratively increased by dividing the model into layers having widths and heights. Data is optimized in an iterative manner until the optimal model is obtained which is similar in structure to the periodic structure.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide systems and methods for creating inspection recipes.SOLUTION: A computer-implemented method for creating an inspection recipe includes acquiring a first design and one or more characteristics of output of an inspection system for a wafer on which the first design is printed using a manufacturing process. The method further includes creating an inspection recipe for a second design using the first design and the one or more characteristics of the output acquired for the wafer on which the first design is printed. The first and the second designs are different. The inspection recipe is used for inspecting wafers after the second design is printed on the wafers using the manufacturing process.