Abstract:
In order to determine whether an exposure apparatus is outputting the correct dose of radiation and a projection system of the exposure apparatus is focusing the radiation correctly, a test pattern is used on a mask for printing a specific marker onto a substrate. This marker may be measured by an inspection apparatus, such as, for example, a scatterometer to determine whether errors in focus, dose, and other related properties are present. The test pattern is arranged such that changes in focus and dose may be easily determined by measuring properties of a pattern that is exposed using the mask. The test pattern of the mask is arranged so that it gives rise to a marker pattern on the substrate surface. The marker pattern contains structures that have at least two measurable side wall angles. Asymmetry between side wall angles of a structure is related to focus (or defocus) of the exposure radiation from the exposure apparatus. The extent of defocus may thereby be determined by measuring an asymmetry in side wall angle of the printed marker pattern structures.
Abstract:
Electron-beam (e-beam) based semiconductor device features are disclosed. In a particular aspect, a method includes performing a first lithography process to fabricate a first set of cut pattern features on a semiconductor device. A distance of each feature of the first set of cut pattern features from the feature to an active area is greater than or equal to a threshold distance. The method further includes performing an electron-beam (e-beam) process to fabricate a second cut pattern feature on the semiconductor device. A second distance of the second cut pattern feature from the second cut pattern feature to the active area is less than or equal to the threshold distance.
Abstract:
A mask for photolithography of a semiconductor wafer is dis- closed. The mask comprises a protrusion section that pro- trudes from a handling section of the mask. An outer shape of the handling section is provided to enable handling by a mask aligner device. The protrusion has a face surface that is provided at a level which is different from a face surface area of the handling section.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for forming a stacked transparent structure comprising providing a support, coating one side of said support with a multicolored mask, coating the other side of the support with a layer curable by visible light, and exposing the light-curable layer through the mask with visible light to cure the layer curable by light in exposed portions to form a cured pattern.
Abstract:
Methods according to the present invention provide computationally efficient techniques for designing gauge patterns for calibrating a model for use in a simulation process, and which minimize degeneracy between model parameters, and thus maximize pattern coverage for parameter calibration.. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods of designing gauge patterns that achieve complete coverage of parameter variations with minimum number of gauges and corresponding measurements in the calibration of a lithographic process utilized to image a target design having a plurality of features. According to some aspects, a method according to the invention includes transforming the space of model parametric space (based on CD sensitivity or Delta TCCs), then iteratively identifying the direction that is most orthogonal to existing gauges' CD sensitivities in this new space, and determining most sensitive line width/pitch combination with optimal assist feature placement which leads to most sensitive CD changes along that direction in model parametric space.