Abstract:
Methods and systems for exposing a desired shape in an area on a surface using a charged particle beam system include determining a local pattern density for the area, based on an original set of exposure information. A pre-proximity effect correction (PEC) maximum dose for the local pattern density is determined, based on a pre-determined target post-PEC maximum dose. The pre-PEC maximum dose may be calculated near an edge of the desired shape. Methods also include modifying the original set of exposure information with the pre-PEC maximum dose to create a modified set of exposure information.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for exposing a desired shape in an area on a surface using a charged particle beam system include determining a local pattern density for the area, based on an original set of exposure information. A pre-proximity effect correction (PEC) maximum dose for the local pattern density is determined, based on a pre-determined target post-PEC maximum dose. The pre-PEC maximum dose may be calculated near an edge of the desired shape. Methods also include modifying the original set of exposure information with the pre-PEC maximum dose to create a modified set of exposure information.
Abstract:
Methods for reticle enhancement technology (RET) for use with variable shaped beam (VSB) lithography include determining an initial mask pattern from a desired pattern for a substrate; calculating a first substrate pattern from the initial mask pattern; determining an initial set of VSB shots that will form the initial mask pattern; calculating a simulated mask pattern from the initial set of VSB shots; calculating a second substrate pattern from the simulated mask pattern; and adjusting the initial set of VSB shots, wherein the adjusting of the initial set of VSB shots creates an adjusted set of VSB shots.
Abstract:
Some embodiments of the invention provide an integrated circuit (IC) that has a novel non-preferred direction (NPD) wiring architecture. In some embodiments, the IC includes a substrate and multiple wiring layers, which include a first set of one or more wiring layers with no preferred wiring directions, and a second set of one or more wiring layers with preferred wiring directions. In some embodiments, the first set of wiring layers includes the third and fourth wiring layers, while the second set of wiring layers includes the fifth and higher metal layers with successive neighboring layers having different (e.g., alternating) preferred wiring directions. The first set of wiring layers in other embodiments includes the third wiring layer but not the fourth wiring layer, which in these embodiments has a preferred wiring direction.
Abstract:
Some embodiments of the invention provide an integrated circuit (IC) that has a novel non-preferred direction (NPD) wiring architecture. In some embodiments, the IC includes a substrate and multiple wiring layers, which include a first set of one or more wiring layers with no preferred wiring directions, and a second set of one or more wiring layers with preferred wiring directions. In some embodiments, the first set of wiring layers includes the third and fourth wiring layers, while the second set of wiring layers includes the fifth and higher metal layers with successive neighboring layers having different (e.g., alternating) preferred wiring directions. The first set of wiring layers in other embodiments includes the third wiring layer but not the fourth wiring layer, which in these embodiments has a preferred wiring direction.
Abstract:
Some embodiments provide a method for calculating parasitic parameters for a pattern to be manufactured on an integrated circuit (IC) substrate. The method receives a definition of a wire structure as input. The method rasterizes the wire structure (e.g., produces pixel-based definition of the wire structure) to produce several images. Before rasterizing the wire structure, the method in some embodiments decomposes the wire structure into several components (e.g., several wires, wire segments or wire structure portions), which it then individually rasterizes. The method then uses the images as inputs to a neural network, which then calculates parasitic parameters associated with the wire structure. In some embodiments, the parasitic parameters include unwanted parasitic capacitance effects exerted on the wire structure. Conjunctively, or alternatively, these parameters include unwanted parasitic resistance and/or inductance effects on the wire structure.
Abstract:
Some embodiments provide a method for calculating parasitic parameters for a pattern to be manufactured on an integrated circuit (IC) substrate. The method receives a definition of a wire structure as input. The method rasterizes the wire structure (e.g., produces pixel-based definition of the wire structure) to produce several images. Before rasterizing the wire structure, the method in some embodiments decomposes the wire structure into several components (e.g., several wires, wire segments or wire structure portions), which it then individually rasterizes. The method then uses the images as inputs to a neural network, which then calculates parasitic parameters associated with the wire structure. In some embodiments, the parasitic parameters include unwanted parasitic capacitance effects exerted on the wire structure. Conjunctively, or alternatively, these parameters include unwanted parasitic resistance and/or inductance effects on the wire structure.
Abstract:
A method for fracturing or mask data preparation is disclosed in which a plurality of single-beam charged particle beam shots is used to create a plurality of multi-beam shots, where multi-beam exposure information is determined for each of the single-beam shots, and then the resulting multi-beam exposure information is used to generate a set of multi-beam shots. Additionally, a method for fracturing or mask data preparation is disclosed in which a plurality of single-beam shots is used to generate a set of multi-beam shots by calculating an image which the single-beam shots would form on a surface.
Abstract:
In some embodiments, data is received defining a plurality of shot groups that will be delivered by a charged particle beam writer during an overall time period, where a first shot group will be delivered onto a first designated area at a first time period. A temperature of the first designated area at a different time period is determined. In some embodiments, the different time period is when secondary effects of exposure from a second shot group are received at the first designated area. In some embodiments, transient temperatures of a target designated area are determined at time periods when exposure from a shot group is received. An effective temperature of the target area is determined, using the transient temperatures and applying a compensation factor based on an amount of exposure received during that time period. A shot in the target shot group is modified based on the effective temperature.
Abstract:
In the field of semiconductor production using charged particle beam lithography, a method and system for fracturing or mask data preparation or proximity effect correction is disclosed, where a non-circular target pattern to be formed on a surface is input. A plurality of charged particle beam shots for a multi-beam charged particle beam system is determined, where the plurality of shots will form a pattern on the surface, each charged particle beam shot being a multi-beam shot comprising a plurality of circular or nearly-circular beamlets. The pattern on the surface matches the target pattern within a predetermined tolerance. The determining is performed using a computing hardware device.