Abstract:
Methods and tools for generating measurement models of complex device structures based on re-useable, parametric models are presented. Metrology systems employing these models are configured to measure structural and material characteristics associated with different semiconductor fabrication processes. The re-useable, parametric sub-structure model is fully defined by a set of independent parameters entered by a user of the model building tool. All other variables associated with the model shape and internal constraints among constituent geometric elements are pre-defined within the model. In some embodiments, one or more re-useable, parametric models are integrated into a measurement model of a complex semiconductor device. In another aspect, a model building tool generates a re-useable, parametric sub-structure model based on input from a user. The resulting models can be exported to a file that can be used by others and may include security features to control the sharing of sensitive intellectual property with particular users.
Abstract:
A metrology system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the metrology system includes a controller communicatively coupled to a reference metrology tool and an optical metrology tool, the controller including one or more processors configured to: generate a geometric model for determining a profile of a test HAR structure from metrology data from a reference metrology tool; generate a material model for determining one or more material parameters of a test HAR structure from metrology data from the optical metrology tool; form a composite model from the geometric model and the material model; measure at least one additional test HAR structure with the optical metrology tool; and determine a profile of the at least one additional test HAR structure based on the composite model and metrology data from the optical metrology tool associated with the at least one HAR test structure.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for determining a meta-model to correct model based measurements are presented. Such systems are employed to measure structural and material characteristics (e.g., material composition, dimensional characteristics of structures and films, etc.) associated with different semiconductor fabrication processes. In one aspect, model-based measurement parameter values are corrected based on a meta-model that maps specimen parameter values determined based on the measurement model to reference parameter values determined based on a more accurate reference measurement. In another aspect, parameters of a meta-model are determined such that errors between reference parameter values and specimen parameter values determined based on the measurement model are minimized. In some embodiments, the accuracy of a corrected parameter value is an order of magnitude greater than the uncorrected parameter value.
Abstract:
Dynamic removal of correlation of highly-correlated parameters for optical metrology is described. An embodiment of a method includes determining a model of a structure, the model including a set of parameters; performing optical metrology measurement of the structure, including collecting spectra data on a hardware element; during the measurement of the structure, dynamically removing correlation of two or more parameters of the set of parameters, an iteration of the dynamic removal of correlation including: generating a Jacobian matrix of the set of parameters, applying a singular value decomposition of the Jacobian matrix, selecting a subset of the set of parameters, and computing a direction of the parameter search based on the subset of parameters. If the model does not converge, performing one or more additional iterations of the dynamic removal of correlation until the model converges; and if the model does converge, reporting the results of the measurement.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for optimizing a set of measurement library control parameters for a particular metrology application are presented herein. Measurement signals are collected from one or more metrology targets by a target measurement system. Values of user selected parameters of interest are resolved by fitting a pre-computed measurement library function to the measurement signals for a given set of library control parameters. Values of one or more library control parameters are optimized such that differences between the values of the parameters of interest estimated by the library based measurement and reference values associated with trusted measurements of the parameters of interest are minimized. The optimization of the library control parameter values is performed without recalculating the pre-computed measurement library. Subsequent library based measurements are performed by the target measurement system using the optimized set of measurement library control parameters with improved measurement performance.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for evaluating and ranking the measurement efficacy of multiple sets of measurement system combinations and recipes for a particular metrology application are presented herein. Measurement efficacy is based on estimates of measurement precision, measurement accuracy, correlation to a reference measurement, measurement time, or any combination thereof. The automated the selection of measurement system combinations and recipes reduces time to measurement and improves measurement results. Measurement efficacy is quantified by a set of measurement performance metrics associated with each measurement system and recipe. In one example, the sets of measurement system combinations and recipes most capable of measuring the desired parameter of interest are presented to the user in rank order based on corresponding values of one or more measurement performance metrics. A user is able to select the appropriate measurement system combination in an objective, quantitative manner.
Abstract:
Methods and tools for generating measurement models of complex device structures based on re-useable, parametric models are presented. Metrology systems employing these models are configured to measure structural and material characteristics associated with different semiconductor fabrication processes. The re-useable, parametric sub-structure model is fully defined by a set of independent parameters entered by a user of the model building tool. All other variables associated with the model shape and internal constraints among constituent geometric elements are pre-defined within the model. In some embodiments, one or more re-useable, parametric models are integrated into a measurement model of a complex semiconductor device. In another aspect, a model building tool generates a re-useable, parametric sub-structure model based on input from a user. The resulting models can be exported to a file that can be used by others and may include security features to control the sharing of sensitive intellectual property with particular users.
Abstract:
A metrology system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the metrology system includes a controller communicatively coupled to a reference metrology tool and an optical metrology tool, the controller including one or more processors configured to: generate a geometric model for determining a profile of a test HAR structure from metrology data from a reference metrology tool; generate a material model for determining one or more material parameters of a test HAR structure from metrology data from the optical metrology tool; form a composite model from the geometric model and the material model; measure at least one additional test HAR structure with the optical metrology tool; and determine a profile of the at least one additional test HAR structure based on the composite model and metrology data from the optical metrology tool associated with the at least one HAR test structure.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for optimizing a set of measurement library control parameters for a particular metrology application are presented herein. Measurement signals are collected from one or more metrology targets by a target measurement system. Values of user selected parameters of interest are resolved by fitting a pre-computed measurement library function to the measurement signals for a given set of library control parameters. Values of one or more library control parameters are optimized such that differences between the values of the parameters of interest estimated by the library based measurement and reference values associated with trusted measurements of the parameters of interest are minimized. The optimization of the library control parameter values is performed without recalculating the pre-computed measurement library. Subsequent library based measurements are performed by the target measurement system using the optimized set of measurement library control parameters with improved measurement performance.