Kla Tencor Corporation

Kla Corporation

Other

Kla Con

Nadav Gutman

Ulrich Pohlmann

Vladimir Levinski

Stefan Eyring

Mark Ghinovker

Yoel Feler

Amnon Manassen

Yuri Paskover

Frank Laske

Yoram Uziel

Eran Amit

Raviv Yohanan

Eitan Hajaj

Andrei V Shchegrov

Andrew V Hill

Roie Volkovich

Daniel Kandel

Daria Negri

Avi Abramov

Anna Golotsvan

Tal Marciano

Tzahi Grunzweig

Stilian Pandev

Hong Xiao

Alexander Kuznetsov

Ohad Bachar

Nuriel Amir

Liran Yerushalmi

Guy Cohen

Antonio Arion Gellineau

Boris Golovanevsky

Yuval Lubashevsky

Aviv Balan

Itay Gdor

Dzmitry Sanko

Inna Steely-Tarshish

Ira Naot

Yossi Simon

Yonatan Vaknin

Nireekshan K Reddy

Chris Steely

Nir BenDavid

Nimrod Shuall

Claire Staniunas

Nachshon Rothman

Dror Yaacov

Einat Peled

Hari Pathangi

David Gready

Moran Zaberchik

Oliver Ache

Vincent Immer

Ariel Hildesheim

Henning Stoschus

Oded Kaminsky

Eugene Maslovsky

Naomi Ittah

Boaz Ophir

Yatir Linden

Noam Gluzer

Alexander Novikov

Thomas Heidrich

Mohamed El Kodadi

Dzimtry Sanko

Yoel Feier

Carey Phelps

Mohammed El Kodadi

A metrology system may receive one or more first images of an overlay target on a sample from a first detector, where the overlay target includes one or more Moiré structures, which may be formed as first-layer features and second-layer features that at least partially overlap and have different pitches. In the first images, the first-layer features and the second-layer features may be unresolved, but a Moiré pitch may be resolved. The system may further receive one or more second images of the overlay target from a second detector, where at least one of the first-layer features or the second-layer features are resolved in the one or more second images. The controller may generate a metrology measurement based on the one or more first images and generate a measurement of a systematic error associated with the metrology measurement based on the one or more second images.

Predicting tool induced shift using Moiré overlay targets

An overlay target includes a grating-over-grating structure with a bottom grating structure disposed on a specimen and a top grating structure disposed on the bottom grating structure. The overlay target further includes a calibration scan location including the bottom grating structure but not the top grating structure and an overlay scan location including the top grating structure and the bottom grating structure.

Target and algorithm to measure overlay by modeling back scattering electrons on overlapping structures

A system and method are disclosed for generating metrology measurements with second sub-system such as an optical sub-system. The method may include performing a training and a run-time operation. The training may include receiving first metrology data for device features from the first metrology sub-system (e.g., optical); generating first metrology measurements (e.g., critical dimensions, etc.); binning the device features into two or more device bins based on the first metrology measurements; and identifying representative metrology targets for the two or more device bins based on distributions of the first metrology measurements. The run-time operation may include receiving run-time metrology data (e.g., optical) of the representative metrology targets; and generating run-time metrology measurements based on the run-time metrology data.

Device feature specific edge placement error (EPE)

Electron beam overlay targets and method of performing overlay measurements on a target using a semiconductor metrology tool are provided. One target includes a plurality of electron beam overlay elements and a plurality of two-dimensional elements that provide at least one two-dimensional imaging. The plurality of two dimensional elements are an array of evenly-spaced polygonal gratings across at least three rows and at least three columns. Another target includes a plurality of electron beam overlay elements and a plurality of AIMid elements. Each of the electron beam overlay elements includes at least two gratings that are overlaid at a perpendicular orientation to each other. The plurality of AIMid elements includes at least two gratings that are overlaid at a perpendicular orientation to each other.

Overlay mark design for electron beam overlay

A method includes generating a sequence of images of a semiconductor wafer from first and second detectors. The first detector images the wafer with first imaging parameters and the second detector images the wafer with second imaging parameters. The first or second imaging parameters are varied across the sequence of images to provide variation at sites across the wafer. The method includes providing a metric indicative of center-of-symmetry variations of first and second target features as a function of the varied imaging parameters based on the sequence of images. The method includes identifying a landscape of values of the varied image parameters for which the metric are below a predefined limit. The method includes generating a recipe for metrology measurements in which the varied imaging parameters are set to values within the landscape. The method includes generating metrology measurements from a production wafer based on the recipe.

Enhancing performance of overlay metrology

The present disclosure provides a target and a method of performing overlay measurements on a target. The target includes an array of cells comprising a first cell, a second cell, a third cell, and a fourth cell. Each cell includes a periodic structure with a pitch. The periodic structure includes a first section and a second section, separated by a first gap. The target further includes an electron beam overlay target, such that electron beam overlay measurements, advanced imaging metrology, and/or scatterometry measurements can be performed on the target.

Combined electron beam overlay and scatterometry overlay targets include first and second periodic structures with gratings. Gratings in the second periodic structure can be positioned under the gratings of the first periodic structure or can be positioned between the gratings of the first periodic structure. These overlay targets can be used in semiconductor manufacturing.

Overlay design for electron beam and scatterometry overlay measurements

Methods and systems for performing overlay and edge placement errors based on Soft X-Ray (SXR) scatterometry measurement data are presented herein. Short wavelength SXR radiation focused over a small illumination spot size enables measurement of design rule targets or in-die active device structures. In some embodiments, SXR scatterometry measurements are performed with SXR radiation having energy in a range from 10 to 5,000 electronvolts. As a result, measurements at SXR wavelengths permit target design at process design rules that closely represents actual device overlay. In some embodiments, SXR scatterometry measurements of overlay and shape parameters are performed simultaneously from the same metrology target to enable accurate measurement of Edge Placement Errors. In another aspect, overlay of aperiodic device structures is estimated based on SXR measurements of design rule targets by calibrating the SXR measurements to reference measurements of the actual device target.

Methods and systems for overlay measurement based on soft X-ray Scatterometry

A first x-y translation stage, a second x-y translation stage, and a chuck are disposed in a chamber. The chuck is situated above and coupled to the second x-y translation stage, which is situated above and coupled to the first x-y translation stage. The chuck is configured to support a substrate and to be translated by the first and second x-y stages in x- and y-directions, which are substantially parallel to a surface of the chuck on which the substrate is to be mounted. A first barrier and a second barrier are also disposed in the chamber. The first barrier is coupled to the first x-y translation stage to separate a first zone of the chamber from a second zone of the chamber. The second barrier is coupled to the second x-y translation stage to separate the first zone of the chamber from a third zone of the chamber.

Multi-stage, multi-zone substrate positioning systems

A method for metrology includes directing at least one illumination beam to illuminate a semiconductor wafer on which at least first and second patterned layers have been deposited in succession, including a first target feature in the first patterned layer and a second target feature in the second patterned layer, overlaid on the first target feature. A sequence of images of the first and second target features is captured while varying one or more imaging parameters over the sequence. The images in the sequence are processed in order to identify respective centers of symmetry of the first and second target features in the images and measure variations in the centers of symmetry as a function of the varying image parameters. The measured variations are applied in measuring an overlay error between the first and second patterned layers.

A target for use in the measurement of misregistration between layers formed on a wafer in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, the target including a first pair of periodic structures (FPPS) and a second pair of periodic structures (SPPS), each of the FPPS and the SPPS including a first edge, a second edge, a plurality of first periodic structures formed in a first area as part of a first layer and having a first pitch along a first pitch axis, the first pitch axis not being parallel to either of the first edge or second edge, and a plurality of second periodic structures formed in a second area as part of a second layer and having the first pitch along a second pitch axis, the second pitch axis being generally parallel to the first pitch axis.

Non-orthogonal target and method for using the same in measuring misregistration of semiconductor devices

A metrology system is disclosed, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The metrology system includes a stage configured to secure a sample, one or more diffraction-based overlay (DBO) metrology targets disposed on the sample. The metrology system includes a light source and one or more sensors. The metrology system includes a set of optics configured to direct illumination light from the light source to the one or more DBO metrology targets of the sample, the set of optics including a half-wave plate, the half-wave plate selectively insertable into an optical path such that the half-wave plate selectively passes both illumination light from an illumination channel and collection light from a collection channel, the half-wave plate being configured to selectively align an orientation of linearly polarized illumination light from the light source to an orientation of a grating of the one or more DBO metrology targets.

Metrology system and method for measuring diagonal diffraction-based overlay targets

A metrology system may include a characterization tool configured to generate metrology data for a sample based on the interaction of an illumination beam with the sample, and may also include one or more adjustable measurement parameters to control the generation of metrology data. The metrology system may include one or more processors that may receive design data associated with a plurality of regions of interest for measurement, select individualized measurement parameters of the characterization tool for the plurality of regions of interest, and direct the characterization tool to characterize the plurality of regions of interest based on the individualized measurement parameters.

Performance optimized scanning sequence for eBeam metrology and inspection

Metrology targets designs, design methods and measurement methods are provided, which reduce noise and enhance measurement accuracy. Disclosed targets comprise an additional periodic structure which is orthogonal to the measurement direction along which given target structures are periodic. For example, in addition to two or more periodic structures along each measurement direction in imaging or scatterometry targets, a third, orthogonal periodic structure may be introduced, which provides additional information in the orthogonal direction, can be used to reduce noise, enhances accuracy and enables the application of machine learning algorithms to further enhance accuracy. Signals may be analyzed slice-wise with respect to the orthogonal periodic structure, which can be integrated in a process compatible manner in both imaging and scatterometry targets.

Enhancing metrology target information content

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Zichron Yaaqov, Israel

Nadav Gutman