The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 28, 2003
Filed:
Oct. 15, 2001
Christopher P. Ausschnitt, Lexington, MA (US);
William A. Muth, LaGrangeville, NY (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A system and method of determining alignment error between lithographically produced integrated circuit fields on the same and different lithographic levels comprises creating a first and second level field layers each having a plurality of integrated circuit fields and associated set of metrology structures adjacent and outside each integrated circuit field. In each level, a metrology structure associated with one integrated circuit field is located to nest with another metrology structure associated with an adjacent circuit field when both are properly aligned on the same lithographic level. Overlay metrology structures are provided on one level to nest with metrology structures of another level when the integrated circuit fields are properly aligned on different lithographic levels.