摘要:
A Wafer Image Modeling and Prediction System (“WIMAPS”) is described that includes systems and methods that generate and/or apply models of resolution enhancement techniques (“RET”) and printing processes in integrated circuit (“IC”) fabrication. The WIMAPS provides efficient processes for use by designers in predicting the RET and wafer printing process so as to allow designers to filter predict printed silicon contours prior to application of RET and printing processes to the circuit design.
摘要:
A Wafer Image Modeling and Prediction System (“WIMAPS”) is described that includes systems and methods that generate and/or apply models of resolution enhancement techniques (“RET”) and printing processes in integrated circuit (“IC”) fabrication. The WIMAPS provides efficient processes for use by designers in predicting the RET and wafer printing process so as to allow designers to filter predict printed silicon contours prior to application of RET and printing processes to the circuit design
摘要:
Systems and methods are provided for programming and running simulation engines of lithographic simulations on GPUs. This integration of lithographic simulations includes the hosting on one or more GPUs of any of a variety of lithographic techniques, including for example resolution enhancement technologies, optical proximity correction, optical rule-checking or lithography checking, and model-based DRC, where operations of one or more techniques are run in parallel. The systems and methods provided also include the integration of lithographic geometry operations into GPUs to obtain improved performance. Examples of this integration include a Design Rule Checker (DRC), parasitic extraction, and placement and route for example.
摘要:
A lithography mask layout is designed and verified incrementally to help reduce the amount of time to produce the mask layout. For one embodiment, a layout defining a target pattern may be processed to produce a mask layout, and the mask layout may be verified to identify errors. Rather than processing and verifying the entire mask layout for error correction over one or more subsequent iterations, sub-layouts having errors may be removed or copied from the mask layout for separate processing and verification. Because the amount of data defining a sub-layout is relatively small, the time to design and verify the mask layout is reduced. The resulting mask layout having one or more processed and verified sub-layout(s) may then be used to manufacture a mask set to help print the target pattern in manufacturing integrated circuits (ICs), for example.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for inspecting a photolithography mask for defects is provided. The inspection method comprises providing a defect area image to an image simulator wherein the defect area image is an image of a portion of a photolithography mask, and providing a set of lithography parameters as a second input to the image simulator. The defect area image may be provided by an inspection tool which scans the photolithography mask for defects using a high resolution microscope and captures images of areas of the mask around identified potential defects. The image simulator generates a first simulated image in response to the defect area image and the set of lithography parameters. The first simulated image is a simulation of an image which would be printed on a wafer if the wafer were to be exposed to an illumination source directed through the portion of the mask. The method may also include providing a second simulated image which is a simulation of the wafer print of the portion of the design mask which corresponds to the portion represented by the defect area image. The method also provides for the comparison of the first and second simulated images in order to determine the printability of any identified potential defects on the photolithography mask. A method of determining the process window effect of any identified potential defects is also provided for.
摘要:
A system and method of analyzing defects on a mask used in lithography are provided. A defect area image is provided as a first input, a set of lithography parameters is provided as a second input, and a set of metrology data is provided as a third input. The defect area image comprises an image of a portion of the mask. A simulated image can be generated in response to the first input. The simulated image comprises a simulation of an image that would be printed on a wafer if the wafer were exposed to a radiation source directed at the portion of the mask. The characteristics of the radiation source comprise the set of lithography parameters and the characteristics of the mask comprise the set of metrology data.
摘要:
The present invention uses an instance based (IB) representation to reduce the time required for verifying a transformed layout that was generated from a reference layout. Specifically, an IB based representation is generated from the reference layout. The IB based representation includes sets of instance cells that include a master instance cell and slave instance cells. Only a subset of each set of instance cell needs to be simulated to verify the transformed layout.
摘要:
Systems and methods for timing-driven shape closure in integrated circuit (“IC”) fabrication are provided. These Integrated Design-Manufacturing Processes (“IDMP”) include a delta flow that integrates information of the IC fabrication timing and geometry verification processes into the IC design. The delta flow is an incremental flow that includes delta-geometry timing prediction processes and/or delta-timing shape prediction processes for processing difference information associated with circuit characterization parameters. The delta flow independently re-characterizes an IC design using the difference or delta information corresponding to the circuit characterization parameters. The delta flow provides delta outputs (incremental) that enhance or re-characterize corresponding parameters of the devices and interconnect structures without the need to generate new circuit characterization parameters and without the need to re-process all information of the IC design.
摘要:
One embodiment of the invention provides a system that facilitates exposing a wafer through at least two masks during an integrated circuit manufacturing process. The system includes a radiation source and two or more illuminators. Each of these illuminators receives radiation from the radiation source, and uses the radiation to illuminate a reticle holder. The radiation that passes through each reticle holder is then combined in an optical combiner, before passing through an imaging optics, which projects the combined radiation onto a semiconductor wafer.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for inspecting a photolithography mask for defects is provided. The inspection method comprises providing a defect area image to an image simulator wherein the defect area image is an image of a portion of a photolithography mask, and providing a set of lithography parameters as a second input to the image simulator. The defect area image may be provided by an inspection tool which scans the photolithography mask for defects using a high resolution microscope and captures images of areas of the mask around identified potential defects. The image simulator generates a first simulated image in response to the defect area image and the set of lithography parameters. The first simulated image is a simulation of an image which would be printed on a wafer if the wafer were to be exposed to an illumination source directed through the portion of the mask. The method may also include providing a second simulated image which is a simulation of the wafer print of the portion of the design mask which corresponds to the portion represented by the defect area image. The method also provides for the comparison of the first and second simulated images in order to determine the printability of any identified potential defects on the photolithography mask. A method of determining the process window effect of any identified potential defects is also provided for.