Abstract:
A device for imaging and processing a workpiece having nanometric features through the use of at least one charged particle beam, by both fully automated procedures and manual assistance procedures. The device includes a user interface, including a schedule input entry device and a human operator ready input that can be placed in a first state or a second state and a procedure scheduler, accepting a schedule of procedures, including fully automated procedures and manual assistance procedures, from the schedule input entry device. Additionally, a procedure sequencer that, when the human operator ready input is in the second state, sequences through fully automated procedures until the human operator ready input is placed into the first state, at which time the sequencer begins sequencing the manual assistance procedures, after reaching a safe termination point for the fully automated procedures being performed.
Abstract:
An improved method of high accuracy beam placement for local area navigation in the field of semiconductor chip manufacturing is described. Preferred embodiments of the present invention can be used to rapidly navigate to one single bit cell in a memory array or similar structure, for example to characterize or correct a defect in that individual bit cell. High-resolution scanning is used to scan a "strip" of cells on the one edge of the array (along either the X axis and the Y axis) to locate a row containing the desired cell followed by a similar high-speed scan along the located row (in the remaining direction) until the desired cell location is reached. This allows pattern-recognition tools to be used to automatically "count" the cells necessary to navigate to the desired cell, without the large expenditure of time required to image the entire array.
Abstract:
Multiple reference fiducials (206, 208) are formed on a sample for charged particle beam facilties processing the sample. After one fiducial (206) is degraded by the charged particle beam, a second backup fiducial (208) is used to create one or more additional fiducials (216).
Abstract:
A device for imaging and processing a workpiece having nanometric features through the use of at least one charged particle beam, by both fully automated procedures and manual assistance procedures. The device includes a user interface, including a schedule input entry device and a human operator ready input that can be placed in a first state or a second state and a procedure scheduler, accepting a schedule of procedures, including fully automated procedures and manual assistance procedures, from the schedule input entry device. Additionally, a procedure sequencer that, when the human operator ready input is in the second state, sequences through fully automated procedures until the human operator ready input is placed into the first state, at which time the sequencer begins sequencing the manual assistance procedures, after reaching a safe termination point for the fully automated procedures being performed.
Abstract:
An improved method of high accuracy beam placement for local area navigation in the field of semiconductor chip manufacturing is described. Preferred embodiments of the present invention can be used to rapidly navigate to one single bit cell in a memory array or similar structure, for example to characterize or correct a defect in that individual bit cell. High-resolution scanning is used to scan a "strip" of cells on the one edge of the array (along either the X axis and the Y axis) to locate a row containing the desired cell followed by a similar high-speed scan along the located row (in the remaining direction) until the desired cell location is reached. This allows pattern-recognition tools to be used to automatically "count" the cells necessary to navigate to the desired cell, without the large expenditure of time required to image the entire array.