Method and system for generating programmed defects for use in metrology measurements

    公开(公告)号:US10768533B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-09-08

    申请号:US15730551

    申请日:2017-10-11

    Abstract: A system for generating and implementing programmed defects includes a lithography tool configured to form a multi-pattern structure including a first array pattern and a second array pattern on a sample. The first array pattern or the second array pattern contains a programmed defect to differentiate the first array pattern from the second array pattern. The system includes a metrology tool configured to acquire one or more images of the first array pattern and the second array pattern having a field-of-view containing the programmed defect. The system includes a controller including one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to receive the images of the first array pattern and the second array pattern from the metrology, and determine a metrology parameter associated with the first array pattern or the second array pattern.

    UTILIZING OVERLAY MISREGISTRATION ERROR ESTIMATIONS IN IMAGING OVERLAY METROLOGY

    公开(公告)号:US20190122357A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-04-25

    申请号:US15739381

    申请日:2017-10-22

    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided, which calculate overlay misregistration error estimations from analyzed measurements of each ROI (region of interest) in at least one metrology imaging target, and incorporate the calculated overlay misregistration error estimations in a corresponding estimation of overlay misregistration. Disclosed embodiments provide a graduated and weighted analysis of target quality which may be integrated in a continuous manner into the metrology measurement processes, and moreover evaluates target quality in terms of overlay misregistration, which forms a common basis for evaluation of errors from different sources, such as characteristics of production steps, measurement parameters and target characteristics. Such common basis then enables any of combining various error sources to give a single number associated with measurement fidelity, analyzing various errors at wafer, lot and process levels, and/or to trade-off the resulting accuracy for throughput by reducing the number of measurements, in a controlled manner.

    Misregistration measurements using combined optical and electron beam technology

    公开(公告)号:US11075126B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-07-27

    申请号:US16477552

    申请日:2019-06-04

    Abstract: A misregistration metrology system useful in manufacturing semiconductor device wafers including an optical misregistration metrology tool configured to measure misregistration at at least one target between two layers of a semiconductor device which is selected from a batch of semiconductor device wafers which are intended to be identical, an electron beam misregistration metrology tool configured to measure misregistration at the at least one target between two layers of a semiconductor device which is selected from the batch and a combiner operative to combine outputs of the optical misregistration metrology tool and the electron beam misregistration metrology tool to provide a combined misregistration metric.

    Misregistration Measurements Using Combined Optical and Electron Beam Technology

    公开(公告)号:US20200266112A1

    公开(公告)日:2020-08-20

    申请号:US16477552

    申请日:2019-06-04

    Abstract: A misregistration metrology system useful in manufacturing semiconductor device wafers including an optical misregistration metrology tool configured to measure misregistration at at least one target between two layers of a semiconductor device which is selected from a batch of semiconductor device wafers which are intended to be identical, an electron beam misregistration metrology tool configured to measure misregistration at the at least one target between two layers of a semiconductor device which is selected from the batch and a combiner operative to combine outputs of the optical misregistration metrology tool and the electron beam misregistration metrology tool to provide a combined misregistration metric.

    On the fly target acquisition
    6.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US10684563B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-06-16

    申请号:US15761830

    申请日:2018-02-19

    Abstract: Metrology systems and methods are provided, which derive metrology target position on the wafer and possibly the target focus position during the movement of the wafer on the system's stage. The positioning data is derived before the target arrives its position (on-the-fly), sparing the time required in the prior art for the acquisition stage and increasing the throughput of the systems and methods. The collection channel may be split to provide for an additional moving-imaging channel comprising at least one TDI (time delay and integration) sensor with an associated analysis unit configured to derive wafer surface information, positioning and/or focusing information of the metrology targets with respect to the objective lens, during wafer positioning movements towards the metrology targets. Additional focusing-during-movement module and possibly feedbacking derived position and/or focus information to the stage may enhance the accuracy of the stopping of the stage.

    On The Fly Target Acquisition
    7.
    发明申请

    公开(公告)号:US20190228518A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-07-25

    申请号:US15761830

    申请日:2018-02-19

    Abstract: Metrology systems and methods are provided, which derive metrology target position on the wafer and possibly the target focus position during the movement of the wafer on the system's stage. The positioning data is derived before the target arrives its position (on-the-fly), sparing the time required in the prior art for the acquisition stage and increasing the throughput of the systems and methods. The collection channel may be split to provide for an additional moving-imaging channel comprising at least one TDI (time delay and integration) sensor with an associated analysis unit configured to derive wafer surface information, positioning and/or focusing information of the metrology targets with respect to the objective lens, during wafer positioning movements towards the metrology targets. Additional focusing-during-movement module and possibly feedbacking derived position and/or focus information to the stage may enhance the accuracy of the stopping of the stage.

    Systems and methods for device-correlated overlay metrology

    公开(公告)号:US10474040B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-11-12

    申请号:US16009939

    申请日:2018-06-15

    Abstract: An overlay metrology system may measure a first-layer pattern placement distance between a pattern of device features and a pattern of reference features on a first layer of an overlay target on a sample. The system may further measure, subsequent to fabricating a second layer including at least the pattern of device features and the pattern of reference features, a second-layer pattern placement distance between the pattern of device features and the pattern of reference features on the second layer. The system may further measure a reference overlay based on relative positions of the pattern of reference features on the first layer and the second layer. The system may further determine a device-relevant overlay for the pattern of device-scale features by adjusting the reference overlay with a difference between the first-layer pattern placement distance and the second-layer pattern placement distance.

    Metrology and Control of Overlay and Edge Placement Errors

    公开(公告)号:US20190271542A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-09-05

    申请号:US16057498

    申请日:2018-08-07

    Abstract: An overlay metrology system may include a controller to generate optical tool error adjustments for a hybrid overlay target including optically-resolvable features and device-scale features by measuring a difference between an optical overlay measurement based on the optically-resolvable features and a device-scale overlay measurement based on the device-scale features, generate target-to-device adjustments for the hybrid overlay target based on positions of features within the device area, determine device-relevant overlay measurements for one or more locations in the device area based on at least one of the optical overlay measurement, the optical tool error adjustments, or the target-to-device adjustments, and provide overlay correctables for the device area to a lithography tool to modify exposure conditions for at least one subsequent exposure based on the device-relevant overlay measurements.

    Enhancing Metrology Target Information Content

    公开(公告)号:US20190178630A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-06-13

    申请号:US16132157

    申请日:2018-09-14

    Abstract: Metrology targets designs, design methods and measurement methods are provided, which reduce noise and enhance measurement accuracy. Disclosed targets comprise an additional periodic structure which is orthogonal to the measurement direction along which given target structures are periodic. For example, in addition to two or more periodic structures along each measurement direction in imaging or scatterometry targets, a third, orthogonal periodic structure may be introduced, which provides additional information in the orthogonal direction, can be used to reduce noise, enhances accuracy and enables the application of machine learning algorithms to further enhance accuracy. Signals may be analyzed slice-wise with respect to the orthogonal periodic structure, which can be integrated in a process compatible manner in both imaging and scatterometry targets.

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