Abstract:
A method of determining a correction strategy in a semiconductor manufacturing process. The method can include obtaining functional indicator data relating to functional indicators associated with one or more process parameters of each of a plurality of different control regimes of the semiconductor manufacturing process and/or a tool associated with the semiconductor manufacturing process and using the functional indicator data as an input to a trained model to determine for which of the control regimes should a correction be determined so as to improve performance of the semiconductor manufacturing process according to at least one quality metric being representative of a quality of the semiconductor manufacturing process. The correction is then calculated for the determined control regime(s).
Abstract:
Disclosed is an illumination system for delivering incoherent radiation to a metrology sensor system. Also disclosed is an associated metrology system and method. The illumination system comprises a spatial filter system for selective spatial filtering of a beam of said incoherent radiation outside of a module housing of the metrology sensor system. At least one optical guide is provided for guiding the spatially filtered beam of incoherent radiation to the metrology sensor system, the at least one optical guide being such that the radiation guided has a substantially similar output angle as input angle.
Abstract:
A mounted hollow-core fiber arrangement includes a hollow-core fiber having a microstructure, and a mount arrangement including a plurality of mounting contacts configured to apply a force to an outer layer of the hollow-core fiber. A portion of the hollow-core fiber is located in a receiving region of the mount arrangement. The plurality of mounting contacts are positioned around the receiving region. The mounting contacts are distributed around the receiving region, the distribution of the mounting contacts corresponding to a distribution of features of the microstructure of the hollow-core fiber. The mounted hollow core fiber can be used in a radiation source apparatus for providing broadband radiation.
Abstract:
An apparatus comprising: a position monitoring system configured to determine the position of the substrate with respect to a projection system configured to project a radiation beam through an opening in the projection system and onto a substrate, wherein a component of the position monitoring system is located beneath the projection system in use; and a baffle disposed between the opening and the component.
Abstract:
A lithographic system comprises a radiation source and a lithographic apparatus. The radiation source provides radiation to the lithographic apparatus. The lithographic apparatus uses the radiation for imaging a pattern onto multiple target areas on a layer of photo-resist on a semiconductor substrate. The imaging requires a pre-determined dose of radiation. The system is controlled so as to set a level of a power of the radiation in dependence on a magnitude of the pre-determined dose.
Abstract:
A method for controlling a manufacturing process for manufacturing semiconductor devices, the method including: obtaining performance data indicative of the performance of the manufacturing process, the performance data including values for a performance parameter across a substrate subject to the manufacturing process; and determining a process correction for the manufacturing process based on the performance data and at least one control characteristic related to a dynamic behavior of one or more control parameters of the manufacturing process, wherein the determining is further based on an expected stability of the manufacturing process when applying the process correction.
Abstract:
A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system to provide a beam of radiation, a support to support a patterning devices, the patterning devices configured to impart the beam with a pattern in its cross-section, a substrate table to hold a substrate, a projection system to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and a conditioning system to condition the substrate. The conditioning system conditions a non-target portion of the substrate with a conditioning fluid. A method of manufacturing a device includes conditioning a non-target portion of a substrate.
Abstract:
The invention pertains to a measurement system for measuring displacement of a moveable object relative to a base in at least a first direction of measurement, the moveable object having at least one reference part that is moveable in a plane of movement relative to the base, the actual movements of the reference part being within an area of said plane of movement that is bounded by a closed contour having a shape. The measurement system comprises a sensor head that operatively communicates with a planar element. The sensor head is mounted onto the base and the planar element being mounted onto the reference part of the moveable object or the other way around, wherein the planar element has a shape that is essentially identical to the shape of the closed contour.
Abstract:
A method of inferring a value for at least one local uniformity metric relating to a product structure, the method including: obtaining intensity data including an intensity image relating to at least one diffraction order obtained from a measurement on a target; obtaining at least one intensity distribution from the intensity image; determining, from the at least one intensity distribution, an intensity indicator expressing a variation of either intensity over the at least one diffraction order, or a difference in intensity between two complimentary diffraction orders over the intensity image; and inferring the value for the at least one local uniformity metric from the intensity indicator.
Abstract:
An illumination adjustment apparatus, to adjust a cross slot illumination of a beam in a lithographic apparatus, includes a plurality of fingers to adjust the cross slot illumination to conform to a selected intensity profile. Each finger has a distal edge that includes at least two segments. The two segments form an indentation of the distal edge.