Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Comp. Ltd.

Rick Lai

Chih-Chiang Tu

Chin-Hsiang Lin

Chun-Jen Chen

I-Hsiung Huang

Heng-Jen Lee

Jong-Yuh Chang

Chia-Shih Lin

Biow-Hiem Ong

The present disclosure provides for many different embodiments. An exemplary method can include providing a mask fabricated according to a design pattern; extracting a mask pattern from the mask; converting the mask pattern into a rendered mask pattern, wherein the simulated design pattern includes the design pattern and any defects in the mask; simulating a lithography process using the rendered mask pattern to create a virtual wafer pattern; and determining whether any defects in the mask are critical based on the virtual wafer pattern. The critical defects in the mask can be repaired.

Lithographic plane check for mask processing

The present disclosure provides a method of inspecting a photolithographic mask wherein a design database is received, and a feature of the design database is adjusted by a bias factor to produce a biased database. Image rendering is performed on the biased database to produce a biased image. A mask is also created using the design database, and the mask is imaged to produce a mask image. The biased image is compared to the mask image, and a new value for the bias factor may be determined based on the comparison.

Rendered database image-to-inspection image optimization for inspection

The present disclosure provides for many different embodiments. An exemplary method can include providing a blank mask and a design layout to be patterned on the blank mask, the design layout including a critical area; inspecting the blank mask for defects and generating a defect distribution map associated with the blank mask; mapping the defect distribution map to the design layout; performing a mask making process; and performing a mask defect repair process based on the mapping.

Cost-effective method for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask production

Growing community of inventors

Taichung, Taiwan

Rick Lai