by Applied Materials Blog

Feb 23, 2018

Technologists from across the semiconductor industry will gather in San Jose, Calif. next week for the 2018 SPIE Advanced Lithography symposium to discuss the latest advancements in lithography, metrology, patterning technologies and materials.

Applied Materials is presenting several papers focused on solving the industry’s toughest challenges in device scaling, including edge placement error (EPE) — the misalignment of critical features on one layer with features on other layers — mask and wafer defects, line edge roughness and critical dimension variations to help improve device performance and yield.

We look forward to sharing our findings and hope to see you at the conference!

ADVANCES IN PATTERNING MATERIALS AND PROCESSES CONFERENCE

Session 11, Sunday, Feb. 25, 3:40 to 5:00 PM

“DSA process characterization using BSE metrology,” CEA-LETI, Applied Materials. Direct Self Assembly (DSA) patterning offers a cost-effective manufacturing method to support pattern shrinks for advanced technology nodes. However, DSA pattern fidelity issues caused by dislocations can impact pattern fidelity after etch. In this paper, we highlight the usage of back scattered electron (BSE) metrology as an innovative approach to characterize the DSA process.

METROLOGY, INSPECTION, PROCESS CONTROL FOR MICROLITHOGRAPHY CONFERENCE

Session PS1 Tuesday, Feb. 26, 5:30 to 7:30 PM

“EUV lithography qualification: comparison of alternative wafer inspection methodologies and sensitivities,” Applied Materials. Defect inspection sensitivity on EUV absorber defects programmed on a test mask with design rules down to 16nmHP was studied using a defect review scanning electron microscope (DRSEM). Defect detection sensitivity was compared between DUV mask inspection and optical wafer inspection with a goal of detecting 10% critical dimension (CD) variation defects.

Session 8, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 8:00 to 10:00 AM

“Line roughness holistic metrology sensitivity study supported by EUV mask designed with induced roughness,” Applied Materials. Characterization of pattern roughness is crucial for yield and device performance. While CDSEM has been the main work horse for roughness measurements, this in-line metrology reference is limited in its ability to evaluate roughness measurement sensitivity. This paper reports on a novel approach to evaluate sensitivity and explore methods of signal enhancements on printed pattern wafers at different process steps.

Session PS2, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 5:30 to 7:30 PM

“Automated mask and wafers defects classification using a novel method for generalized CD variation measurements,” Applied Materials. Mask defects dispositioning has become a challenging and time-consuming task. While CD variation measurement is still the method of choice for determining the future impact of a mask defect on the wafer, the complexity of OPCs combined with high variability in pattern shapes pose a challenge for any automated CD variation measurement method. In this study, a novel approach for measurement generalization is presented.

Session 13, Thursday, Mar. 1, 11:10 to 11:30 AM

“Minimizing EUV edge placement error by fast high-resolution SEM,” IMEC, Applied Materials. Minimizing EPE challenges in SEM technology in three dimensions: resolution, throughput and applications. This paper shows how using a SEM platform addresses these challenges in a case using EUV. EUV lithography poses EPE challenges related to a different stochastic behavior relative to ArFi lithography. Massive sampling made possible by the SEM platform was used to characterize the unique random nature of EUV lithography in addition to other EPE contributors.

Tags: SPIE, lithography, Patterning, metrology, e-beam