摘要:
The distribution of ultraviolet light irradiated from an illumination source to optical elements of a projection exposure device is varied by an illumination aperture. The illumination aperture is formed with a plurality of openings which may be opened or closed independently to the passage of irradiating light. The size and shape of the opening formed by the plurality of openings of the illumination aperture is determined according to the particular image to be projected.
摘要:
A method and structure for creating a photomask data set includes inputting a design data set, creating a simulated printed data set by applying a lithography simulation model to chosen levels of the design data set, merging each chosen level of the design data set with each corresponding level of the simulated printed data set in order to produce a merged design data set, applying at least one test to the merged design data set, correcting the design data set based on results of the test to produce a corrected design data set, repeating the creating of the simulated printed data, merging, applying the test and correcting using the corrected design data set until the corrected design data set passes the test, and outputting the corrected design data set as the photomask data set.
摘要:
A method and structure for a photomask that includes a substrate having a first transmittance, a first pattern to be transferred to a photosensitive layer (the first pattern having a second transmittance lower than the first transmittance) and a second pattern having a third transmittance greater than the second transmittance and less than the first transmittance. The second pattern is adjacent at least a portion of the first pattern, and the substrate and the second pattern transmit light substantially in phase.
摘要:
A structure and method for checking semiconductor designs for design rule violations includes generating a predicted printed structure (i.e., an ideal image) based on the semiconductor designs, altering the ideal image to include potential manufacturing variations, thereby producing at least two production images representing different manufacturing qualities, and comparing the production images to the design rules to produce an error list.
摘要:
A method is presented here that enables one to improve the prediction for the printed structures of circuit patterns in a microchip, thereby potentially aiding in the design of the microchip circuitry. This method comprises the steps of determining, by applying process bias and corner curvature rules to a real mask image, a simulated structure for the mask used in optical projection lithography; and determining, by applying optical and process proximity correction rules to said simulated mask structure, a more accurate prediction for the structures printed on the wafer. Preferably the simulated mask structure is determined by applying a symmetric bias consistent with a mask build process to the real mask image, adjusting predetermined features of the real mask image such as corners or narrow lines, and applying a reverse symmetric bias to the adjusted real mask image.
摘要:
A transmission controlled mask (TCM) for providing effective and accurate printing of images on a semiconductor wafer is defined. The transmission controlled mask (TCM) of the present invention includes opaque regions, clear regions, and transmission controlled (TC) regions, each region have different transmittance for reducing and/or eliminating the foreshortening which occurs in image printing. By employing the TCM of the present invention and adjusting the exposure time, images of lines and holes may be printed correctly with the same mask. The TCM of the present invention comprises a quartz substrate having a carbon layer and a chrome layer deposited on its surface.
摘要:
A method and structure for a photomask that includes a substrate having a first transmittance, a first pattern to be transferred to a photosensitive layer (the first pattern having a second transmittance lower than the first transmittance) and a second pattern having a third transmittance greater than the second transmittance and less than the first transmittance. The second pattern is adjacent at least a portion of the first pattern, and the substrate and the second pattern transmit light substantially in phase.
摘要:
A method and computer system are provided for checking integrated circuit designs for design rule violations. The method may include generating a working design data set, creating a wafer image data set, comparing the wafer image data set to the design rules to produce an error list and automatically altering the working design data set when the comparing indicates a design rule violation. The method further automatically repeats the creating, the comparing and the automatically altering until no design rule violations occur or no solution to the errors exists.
摘要:
An automated system for analyzing mask defects in a semiconductor manufacturing process is presented. This system combines results from an inspection tool and design layout data from a design data repository corresponding to each mask layer being inspected with a computer program and a predetermined rule set to determine when a defect on a given mask layer has occurred. Mask inspection results include the presence, location and type (clear or opaque) of defects. Ultimately, a determination is made as to whether to scrap, repair or accept a given mask based on whether the defect would be likely to cause product failure. Application of the defect inspection data to the design layout data for each mask layer being inspected prevents otherwise acceptable wafer masks from being scrapped when the identified defects are not in critical areas of the mask.
摘要:
An automated system for analyzing mask defects in a semiconductor manufacturing process is presented. This system combines results from an inspection tool and design layout data from a design data repository corresponding to each mask layer being inspected with a computer program and a predetermined rule set to determine when a defect on a given mask layer has occurred. Mask inspection results include the presence, location and type (clear or opaque) of defects. Ultimately, a determination is made as to whether to scrap, repair or accept a given mask based on whether the defect would be likely to cause product failure. Application of the defect inspection data to the design layout data for each mask layer being inspected prevents otherwise acceptable wafer masks from being scrapped when the identified defects are not in critical areas of the mask.