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Scatterometry for Lithography Process Control and Characterization in IC Manufacturing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2011

Yiorgos Kostoulas
Affiliation:
Mike Littau Accent Optical Technologies 3817 Academy Pkwy South NE Albuquerque, NM 87109
Christopher J. Raymond
Affiliation:
Mike Littau Accent Optical Technologies 3817 Academy Pkwy South NE Albuquerque, NM 87109
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Abstract

As modern circuit architecture features steadily decrease in size, more accurate tools are needed to meaningfully measure critical dimensions (CD). As a general rule, a metrology tool should be able to measure 1/10 of the product tolerance. An emerging technology for high speed, high accuracy CD measurement is scatterometry. This paper describes scatterometrybased measurements of metal features of 350 nm with a space of 450 nm (pitch of 800nm) on top of a complicated layer stack and compares them with the results of an atomic force microscope (AFM). We also looked into lithography cell monitoring and trending by measuring CDs on 3 daily litho cell monitors over a period of 40 days. Our long term results show excellent agreement with those of a scanning electron microscope (CD-SEM).

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2002

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