摘要:
One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for reducing carbon contamination on a mask involving placing a mask plate having carbon-containing contaminants thereon in a processing chamber; simultaneously contacting the mask plate with oxygen and exposing the mask plate with a flood exposure of electron beams wherein the carbon-containing contaminants are converted to a by-product; and removing the by-product from the processing chamber.
摘要:
The present invention provides a system and method that facilitates measuring and imaging topographical features of a substrate, including lines and trenches having reentrant profiles. One aspect of the invention provides an electron microscope that simultaneously scans a substrate with two or more electron beams that are directed against the substrate with substantially differing angles of incidence. Secondary electrons resulting from the interaction of the substrate with the beams are detected by one or more secondary electron detectors. Each secondary electron detector may simultaneously receive secondary electrons resulting from the interaction of the substrate with two or more electron beams. In another of its aspects, the invention provides methods of analysis that permit the interpretation of such data to analyze critical dimensions and form images of the substrate. Critical dimensions that may be determined include feature heights and reentrant profile shapes. The topographical information provided is more complete than that of conventional SEM imaging and is obtained more rapidly than would be possible using multiple scans of a single electron beam.
摘要:
A measuring system and apparatus is provided in which a scanning probe microscope includes a high resolution optical sensor adapted to view a portion of a workpiece beneath the scanning probe tip. Also provided is a scanning tip assembly with a cantilever/tip assembly and an optical sensor associated with the cantilever assembly. In one embodiment, the optical sensor comprises a charge coupled device or other solid state camera associated with the cantilever and/or the tip. In addition, a scanning tip assembly is provided for a scanning probe microscope having an optical fiber adapted to receive reflected light from the at least a portion of the workpiece. Also provided is a measuring apparatus comprising a scanning probe microscope having an optical fiber adapted to receive reflected light from a feature of a workpiece, and an optical processor connected to the optical fiber to provided a visual image based on the reflected light from the feature of the workpiece.
摘要:
The present invention relates to a system for measuring a linewidth or profile of a feature and comprises a scanning probe microscope having a nanotube scanning tip. The nature of the nanotube scanning tip provides high resolution and accurate measurements which is generally independent of a wearing thereof. The present invention also relates to a method of measuring a linewidth of profile of a feature and comprises the steps of scanning a portion of the feature on the substrate with a scanning probe microscope comprising a nanotube scanning tip and detecting a characteristic associated with the nanotube scanning tip. The method also comprises determining a characteristic associated with the portion of the feature on the substrate based on the detected nanotube scanning tip characteristic. Lastly, the present invention relates to a method of detecting a partially open contact hole and comprises scanning a region containing the contact hole with a scanning probe microscope comprising a nanotube scanning tip. The method further comprises generating topography data associated with the scanning step and determining whether the contact hole is fully open using the topography data.
摘要:
In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of processing a lithography mask, involving the steps of exposing a lithography substrate with actinic radiation through the lithography mask in a chamber; removing the lithography mask from the chamber, wherein the lithography mask contains carbon contaminants; and contacting the lithography mask with sulfur trioxide thereby reducing the carbon contaminants thereon.
摘要:
In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of processing a semiconductor structure, involving the steps of providing the semiconductor structure having a patterned resist thereon; stripping the patterned resist from the semiconductor structure, wherein an amount of carbon containing resist debris remain on the semiconductor structure; and contacting the semiconductor structure with ozone thereby reducing the amount of carbon containing resist debris thereon.
摘要:
In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of processing an ultrathin resist, involving the steps of depositing the ultra-thin photoresist over a semiconductor substrate, the ultra-thin resist having a thickness less than about 3,000 Å; irradiating the ultra-thin resist with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of about 250 nm or less; developing the ultra-thin resist; and contacting the ultra-thin resist with a silicon containing compound in an environment of at least one of ultraviolet light and ozone, wherein contact of the ultra-thin resist with the silicon containing compound is conducted between irradiating and developing the ultra-thin resist or after developing the ultra-thin resist.
摘要:
A system and method is provided for measuring and determining the resolution of a SEM imaging system employing a crystallographic etched sample with a re-entrant cross-sectional profile. A re-entrant or negative profile is employed because the top-down view seen by the SEM is very sharp due to the fact the edge of the profile has zero width. Therefore, any apparent width seen in the signal is a function of the electron beam width alone. Scanning the beam across the profile provides a signal that moves from a first state to a second state. The time period or sloping portion of the signal from the first state to the second state provides a direct correlation to the electron beam width. Thus, scanning across the sample allows for a calculation of the electron beam width. By scanning across features of different orientations, the shape of the electron beam can be determined. Alternatively, by rotating the electron beam and scanning across the same feature, the shape of the electron beam can be determined. A system can utilize this information to adjust the resolution of the SEM or a display displaying the image.
摘要:
A system for evaluating optical proximity corrected (OPC) designs is provided. The system includes an analysis system for performing measurements relating to a segment of a feature. The analysis system is configured to determine a first image for the segment of the feature based upon the measurements. The analysis system determines a second image to facilitate analysis of the first image and evaluates OPC designs based upon comparisons of the first and second image.
摘要:
The present invention provides SEM systems, SEM calibration standards, and SEM calibration methods that improved accuracy in critical dimension measurements. The calibration standards have features formed with an amorphous material such as amorphous silicon. Amorphous materials lack the crystal grain structure of materials such as polysilicon and are capable of providing sharper edged features and higher accuracy patterns than grained materials. The amorphous material can be bound to a silicon wafer substrate through an intermediate layer of material, such as silicon dioxide. Where the intermediate layer is insulating material, as is silicon dioxide, the intermediate layer may be patterned with gaps to provide for electrical communication between the amorphous silicon and the silicon wafer. Charges imparted to the amorphous silicon during electron beam scanning may thereby drain to the silicon wafer rather than accumulating to a level where they would distort the electron beam.