JP2011044464A - Charged particle beam writing apparatus, charged particle beam writing method, and apparatus of processing charged particle beam writing data - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charged particle beam writing apparatus optimizing data processing by distributing resources according to the situation of data processing. <P>SOLUTION: The charged particle beam writing apparatus includes a storage section for storing layout data; a shot data generating section including a plurality of arithmetic processors, converting pattern data of a plurality of graphic patterns defined in the layout data, for generating shot data for shooting charged particle beams to a sample, and carrying out a shot dividing process for dividing the pattern data into shot units of the charged particle beams, a density computing process for computing the density of the pattern data, and a correction quantity computing process for computing a correction quantity, when shooting the charged particle beams to the sample using the result of the density computing process; a process distributing section for monitoring the process situation of each processing and distributing the process to the plurality of arithmetic processors based on the processing situation; and a writing section for carrying out writing to the sample. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a charged particle beam drawing apparatus, a charged particle beam drawing method, and a charged particle beam drawing data processing apparatus for drawing a graphic pattern on a sample.

  Lithography technology is used to form a desired circuit pattern on a semiconductor device. In lithography technology, a pattern is transferred using an original pattern called a mask (reticle). In order to manufacture a highly accurate reticle, an electron beam (electron beam) drawing technique having excellent resolution is used.

  There is a variable shaping method as one method of an electron beam drawing apparatus that performs electron beam drawing on a reticle. In the variable shaping method, a graphic pattern is drawn on the sample placed on the movable stage by the electron beam shaped by passing through the opening of the first shaping aperture and the opening of the second shaping aperture.

  In such an electron beam drawing apparatus, data processing for converting layout data input to the apparatus into shot data for actually shooting an electron beam on a sample is required. There is a demand for optimization of data processing in response to the complexity of layout data and drawing methods.

  Patent Document 1 describes a method of assigning CPUs according to the number of patterns in the data processing area.

JP 2008-218857 A

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a charged particle beam drawing apparatus that optimizes data processing by allocating resources according to data processing conditions. Another object of the present invention is to provide a charged particle beam writing method and a charged particle beam writing data processing apparatus.

A charged particle beam drawing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes:
A storage unit that receives layout data in which a plurality of graphic patterns are defined and stores the layout data;
A shot data generation unit that includes a plurality of arithmetic processing units, converts pattern data of a plurality of graphic patterns defined in layout data, and generates shot data for shooting a charged particle beam on a sample. A shot division process that divides data into shot units of a charged particle beam, a density calculation process that calculates the density of pattern data, and a correction amount when a charged particle beam is shot on a sample is calculated using the results of the density calculation process A shot data generation unit for executing a correction amount calculation process to be performed;
The processing status of the shot division process, the density calculation process, and the correction amount calculation process is monitored, and based on the processing status, a shot division process as a process to be processed by each arithmetic processor next to a plurality of arithmetic processors, A process distribution unit that distributes either the density calculation process or the correction amount calculation process;
A drawing unit for drawing on the sample using the shot data;
It is characterized by providing.

In the charged particle beam drawing apparatus of the above aspect,
Shot data generation unit stores shot division result storage unit for storing output result of shot division process, density calculation result storage unit for storing output result of density calculation process, and correction amount for storing output result of correction amount calculation process A calculation result storage unit,
The process distribution unit monitors the output result amount stored in each of the shot division result storage unit, the density calculation result storage unit, and the correction amount calculation result storage unit, and outputs the output result amount to a plurality of arithmetic processors. Based on this, it is desirable to distribute any one of a shot division process, a density calculation process, and a correction amount calculation process as a process to be processed next by each arithmetic processor.

In the charged particle beam drawing apparatus of the above aspect,
The process distribution unit includes an output result amount conversion unit that converts each output result amount of the shot division result storage unit, the density calculation result storage unit, and the correction amount calculation result storage unit into time, and the conversion in the output result amount conversion unit Based on the result, it is desirable to distribute any one of a shot division process, a density calculation process, and a correction amount calculation process as a process to be processed next by each arithmetic processor.

The charged particle beam drawing method of one embodiment of the present invention includes:
A step of inputting layout data in which a plurality of graphic patterns are defined and storing the layout data;
A process of generating pattern data for shots of a charged particle beam onto a sample by converting pattern data of a plurality of graphic patterns defined in layout data using a plurality of arithmetic processors, and charging the pattern data A shot division process that divides the particle beam into shot units, a density calculation process that calculates the density of the pattern data, and a correction amount that calculates the correction amount when the charged particle beam is shot on the sample using the result of the density calculation process Performing a calculation process;
The processing status of the shot division process, the density calculation process, and the correction amount calculation process is monitored, and based on the processing status, a shot division process as a process to be processed by each arithmetic processor next to a plurality of arithmetic processors, Distributing either the density calculation process or the correction amount calculation process;
Drawing on the sample using the shot data;
It is characterized by providing.

A charged particle beam drawing data processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
A storage unit that receives layout data in which a plurality of graphic patterns are defined and stores the layout data;
A shot data generation unit that includes a plurality of arithmetic processing units, converts pattern data of a plurality of graphic patterns defined in layout data, and generates shot data for shooting a charged particle beam on a sample. A shot division process that divides data into shot units of a charged particle beam, a density calculation process that calculates the density of pattern data, and a correction amount when a charged particle beam is shot on a sample is calculated using the results of the density calculation process A shot data generation unit for executing a correction amount calculation process to be performed;
The processing status of the shot division process, the density calculation process, and the correction amount calculation process is monitored, and based on the processing status, a shot division process as a process to be processed by each arithmetic processor next to a plurality of arithmetic processors, And a process distribution unit that distributes either the density calculation process or the correction amount calculation process.

  According to the present invention, a charged particle beam drawing apparatus, a charged particle beam drawing method, and charged particle beam drawing data that are optimized for data processing by allocating resources according to the data processing status. A processing apparatus can be provided.

It is a schematic block diagram of the electron beam drawing apparatus of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the drawing method employ | adopted by embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the process of the control part of the electron beam drawing apparatus of embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, in the embodiment, a configuration using an electron beam will be described as an example of a charged particle beam. However, the charged particle beam is not limited to the electron beam, and may be a beam using charged particles such as an ion beam.

  The charged particle beam drawing apparatus according to the embodiment includes layout data in which a plurality of graphic patterns are defined, a storage unit that stores the layout data, and a plurality of arithmetic processing units. A shot data generation unit that converts pattern data of a graphic pattern and generates shot data for shooting a charged particle beam onto a sample is provided. The shot data generation unit is configured to divide the pattern data into shot units of the charged particle beam, a density calculation process to calculate the density of the pattern data, and the charged particle beam to the sample using the result of the density calculation process. A correction amount calculation process for calculating a correction amount at the time of performing is performed. Then, the processing status of the shot division process, density calculation process, and correction amount calculation process is monitored, and based on the processing status, shot division is performed as a process to be processed next by each arithmetic processing unit for a plurality of arithmetic processing units A process distribution unit that distributes any one of a process, a density calculation process, and a correction amount calculation process is provided. Furthermore, a drawing unit for drawing on the sample using the shot data is provided.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electron beam drawing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The electron beam drawing apparatus 100 is an example of a charged particle beam drawing apparatus. The electron beam drawing apparatus 100 includes a drawing unit 102 and a control unit 104 that controls the drawing operation of the drawing unit 102. The electron beam drawing apparatus 100 draws a predetermined pattern on the sample 110.

  A stage 112 on which the sample 110 is placed is accommodated in the sample chamber 108 of the drawing unit 102. The stage 112 is driven by the control unit 104 in the X direction (left and right direction on the paper surface), the Y direction (front and back direction on the paper surface), and the Z direction. As the sample 110, for example, there is an exposure mask for transferring a pattern to a wafer on which a semiconductor device is formed. Further, this mask includes, for example, mask blanks on which no pattern is formed.

  An electron beam optical system 114 is installed above the sample chamber 108. The electron beam optical system 114 includes an electron gun 116, various lenses 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, a blanking deflector 128, a beam dimension changing deflector 130, a beam scanning main deflector 132, and a beam scanning. The sub-deflector 134, a first aperture 136 for beam shaping, a second aperture 138, etc. for drawing with a variable shaped beam.

  The control unit 104 includes a storage unit 106, a shot data generation unit 140, a process distribution unit 142, and a control circuit 144.

  The storage unit 106 receives layout data, which is basic data of a pattern to be drawn, and stores the layout data. Layout data is defined by a plurality of graphic patterns. The layout data is, for example, a circuit pattern of a semiconductor integrated circuit. The storage unit 106 may be any storage medium, and for example, a magnetic disk or the like can be used.

  The shot data generation unit 140 includes an arithmetic processing unit 152 including a plurality of arithmetic processors 150 (1) to 150 (n), a density calculation result storage unit 154, a correction amount calculation result storage unit 156, and a shot division result storage unit 158. I have. The arithmetic processors 150 (1) to 150 (n) are, for example, CPUs. The density calculation result storage unit 154, the correction amount calculation result storage unit 156, and the shot data division result storage unit 158 may be any storage medium, and for example, a semiconductor memory may be used.

  The shot data generation unit 140 has a function of converting layout data into shot data that is internal control format data unique to the electron beam drawing apparatus 100.

  The process distribution unit 142 monitors the process processing status in the shot data generation unit 140 and determines the next process to be processed by each arithmetic processing unit from the arithmetic processing units 150 (1) to 150 (n). Has the function of distributing. That is, it has a function of distributing resources according to the data processing status.

  The control circuit 144 has a function of controlling the drawing unit 102 based on the shot data generated by the shot data generation unit 140.

  Processing of each function of the shot data generation unit 140, the process distribution unit 142, and the control circuit 144 may be performed using software. Or you may make it implement using the hardware by an electric circuit. Alternatively, a combination of software and hardware may be used.

  In FIG. 1, description of the embodiment is omitted except for necessary components. Needless to say, the electron beam lithography apparatus 100 may normally include other necessary configurations.

  Next, a drawing method using the electron beam drawing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the drawing method of the vector scanning method and the stage continuous movement method employed in the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a processing process of the control unit of the electron beam drawing apparatus according to the embodiment.

  Before describing the processing in the control unit 104, the operation of the drawing unit 102 will be described with reference to FIG. The drawing unit 102 draws on the sample 110 using the shot data generated by the control unit 104.

  In actual drawing, the electron beam emitted from the electron gun 116 is variably controlled by the beam size variable deflector 130, the first aperture 136 and the second aperture 138 for beam shaping, and vector scanning is performed. Drawing processing is performed by a method (two-dimensional scanning method) and a stage continuous movement method.

  First, the pattern 202 to be drawn on the sample 110 is divided into areas called strip-shaped frames 204, and the frame 204 is further divided into areas called subfields 206, and only the necessary portions are shown in FIG. The variable shaped beam 208 shaped by the first aperture 136 and the second aperture 138 is deflected and drawn.

  At this time, the drawing process is performed while continuously moving the stage 112 (FIG. 1). Unlike the one-dimensional scanning method, since there is no operation for turning off the beam even in an unnecessary part of drawing, the drawing speed is increased and the throughput is improved. At this time, a two-stage deflector of the main deflector 132 and the sub deflector 134 (FIG. 1) is used, and the positioning of the subfield 206 is performed according to the main deflector position data sent from the controller 104 (FIG. 1). The sub-field 206 is drawn by the sub-deflector 134 according to the sub-deflection position data, shot size data, etc. sent from the control unit 104.

  When the drawing of one subfield 206 is completed, the drawing of the next subfield 206 is started. When the drawing of the frame 204, which is a set of a plurality of subfields 206, is finished, the stage 112 (FIG. 1) that has been continuously moved in the X direction is stepped in the Y direction, and the above process is repeated to move each frame region. It is designed to draw sequentially. Here, the frame 204 is a strip-shaped drawing region determined by the deflection width of the main deflector 132 (FIG. 1), and the subfield 206 is a unit drawing region determined by the deflection width of the sub-deflector 134 (FIG. 1). .

  The control unit 104 creates shot data for executing the drawing processing of the drawing unit 102 from the layout data.

  First, layout data in which a plurality of graphic patterns are defined is input to the storage unit 106, and this layout data is stored.

  Next, the shot data generation unit 140 converts pattern data of a plurality of graphic patterns defined in the layout data delivered from the storage unit 106, and generates shot data for shooting an electron beam onto a sample. In this conversion, parallel distributed processing can be performed in order to improve the data processing speed.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a processing process executed by the shot data generation unit. The processing processes include a data block creation process P10, a shot division process P11, a density calculation process P12, a density calculation result storage process P13, a correction amount calculation process P14, a correction amount calculation result storage process P15, and a shot data result storage process P16. It is.

  In the data block creation process P10, the layout data is first divided into stripes in order to perform parallel and distributed processing of layout data in a later processing process. Further, the stripe is divided and divided into a plurality of data blocks which are processing units of parallel distributed processing. One data block is divided into a plurality of subfields.

  The data block created in the data block creation process P10 is converted into shot division data including shot unit data of the variable shaped beam of the electron beam drawing apparatus 100 in the shot division process P11.

  Further, in order to draw an accurate pattern with the sample for the shot division data divided in the shot division process P11, it is necessary to add a correction amount such as proximity effect correction / fogging effect correction. This correction amount is obtained by the density calculation process P12 and the correction amount calculation process P14.

  First, for the data block created in the data block creation process P10, the density of the pattern data in the data block, that is, the density of the figure in the region is calculated in the density calculation process P12. Then, the calculated density of the pattern data is stored in the storage medium by the density calculation result storage process P13 as pattern density data (output result). Specifically, it is stored in the density calculation result storage unit 154 of FIG.

  In the correction amount calculation process P14, a correction amount such as proximity effect correction / fogging effect correction is calculated using the pattern density data. The calculated correction amount is stored as correction amount data (output result) in the storage medium by the correction amount calculation result storage process P15. Specifically, it is stored in the correction amount calculation result storage unit 156 of FIG.

  The correction amount stored in the correction amount calculation result storage unit 156 is added to the shot division data (output result) for the corresponding data block, and is stored in the storage medium in the shot division result storage process. Specifically, it is stored in the shot division result storage unit 158 of FIG.

  Note that the shot division process P11, the density calculation process P12, and the correction amount calculation process P14 are executed using the plurality of arithmetic processors 150 (1) to 150 (n) in FIG.

  The data stored in the shot division result storage unit 158 is sequentially sent to the control circuit 144 as shot data. Then, drawing is performed on the sample 110 by the drawing unit 102 based on the shot data.

  Here, the process distribution unit 142 monitors the processing status of the shot division process P11, the density calculation process P12, and the correction amount calculation process P14. Then, based on this processing status, a process to be processed next by each of the arithmetic processors 150 (1) to 150 (n) is determined. Then, any one of the shot division process P11, the density calculation process P12, or the correction amount calculation process P14 is distributed as a process to be processed by each of the arithmetic processors 150 (1) to 150 (n).

  As a monitoring method of the processing status, for example, the data amount stored in the density calculation result storage unit 154, the correction amount calculation result storage unit 156, and the shot division result storage unit 158 is monitored. Then, a process that is delayed from the comparison of the data amount is determined, and the delayed process is assigned to a processor that is free or next available.

  Unless shot division data and correction amount data are generated as a set for a data block, the shot data of that data block cannot be generated and cannot be sent to the next control circuit 144. If only one of the processes precedes, there is a possibility that shot data to be used for drawing is insufficient and drawing must be stopped.

  In particular, when the arithmetic processing units that perform the shot division process P11, the density calculation process P12, and the correction amount calculation process P14 are fixed in advance, this risk increases. This is because, when the data amount of a specific data block is larger than expected, only a specific process is limited by the arithmetic processing capability and delayed. Conversely, if each process is assigned to an arithmetic processor indefinitely, the process may use up the arithmetic processor and the storage unit becomes full, and drawing may not proceed.

  As in the present embodiment, the process distribution unit 142 monitors the processing status of the shot division process P11, the density calculation process P12, and the correction amount calculation process P14, and assigns each process to an available resource (arithmetic processor). As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation where the shot data to be used for drawing is insufficient and drawing must be stopped. Therefore, the drawing speed of the electron beam drawing apparatus 100 can be improved.

  Further, there are cases where it is difficult to predict the processing speed of each process of the shot data generation unit 140 because the drawing method becomes complicated as in multiple drawing or the pattern of layout data becomes complicated. Even in such a case, according to the present embodiment in which the processing status is monitored and resources are allocated, it is possible to avoid a situation where shot data is insufficient and drawing must be stopped.

  Further, for example, even when one of the plurality of arithmetic processors 150 (1) to 150 (n) fails, according to the present embodiment, each processing process is unevenly distributed to a specific arithmetic processor. The drawing process can be continued smoothly without any problems.

  In the present embodiment, the process distribution unit 142 converts each output result amount of the shot division result storage unit 158, the density calculation result storage unit 154, and the correction amount calculation result storage unit 156 into time, and an output result amount conversion unit. (Not shown), and based on the conversion result in the output result amount conversion unit, the process distribution unit 142 performs a shot division process, a density calculation process, or a correction amount as a process to be processed next by each arithmetic processing unit. More preferably, any of the calculation processes are distributed.

  This is because the amount of data stored does not necessarily quantitatively represent the degree of advance of each processing process. Therefore, it is desirable to convert the output result from the data amount into a unit of time, and to determine the degree of advance of each process.

For example, the preceding time of the density calculation process P12, that is, the time t _{ap at} which the correction amount calculation process P14 can process the data in the density calculation result storage unit 154 is:
t _ap = nD _a × t _p / (n _p +1)
nD _a : number of data blocks in the density calculation result storage unit t _p : average processing time (s) of the correction amount calculation process
n _p : represented by the number of correction amount calculation processes currently operating.

The preceding time of the correction amount calculation process P14, that is, the time t _pp during which the shot division process P12 can process the data in the correction amount calculation result storage unit 156 is:
t _pp = nD _d × t _s / (n _s +1)
nD _p : number of data blocks in the correction amount calculation result storage unit t _s : average processing time (s) of the shot division process
n _s : expressed by the number of shot division processes currently running.

Lead time of the shot segmentation process P12, i.e., the time _{t sp} data of shot division result storage unit 158 finishes the transfer to the control circuit 144,
t _sp = D _o × TR
D _o : Data amount (MB) of the shot division result storage unit
TR: Average data transfer rate from the shot division result storage unit to the control circuit (MB / s)
It is represented by

Here, the process distribution unit 142 determines the magnitude relationship between t _ap , t _pp , and t _sp , and assigns the arithmetic processing units to the process having the shortest preceding time, that is, the least power. For example, if t _ap is minimum, the processor is assigned to the correction amount calculation process P14.

  In this way, by converting the data amount into time units and considering the preceding time of each process with respect to other processes, it becomes possible to accurately determine the degree of advance of each process.

  The embodiments have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific examples.

  For example, the process distribution unit 142 monitors the processing status of each process and determines the distribution, as well as the above example, and an appropriate method may be selected so that the drawing by the electron beam drawing apparatus 100 can be performed smoothly. . For example, when the amount of data in the shot division result storage unit is smaller than a predetermined amount, it may be determined to prioritize the shot division process P12 in order to preferentially secure shot data for drawing processing. Further, for example, when all the storage units are full, it may be determined to give priority to the shot division process P12 so that the arithmetic processing unit is not used up in the density calculation process P12 and the correction amount calculation process P14.

  Further, although the mask has been described as an example of the substrate, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a semiconductor wafer is used as a substrate and a pattern is directly drawn on the wafer by an electron beam.

  The storage unit 106, the shot data generation unit 140, and the process distribution unit 142 may be a charged particle beam drawing data processing device that is independent of the charged particle beam drawing device.

  In addition, although descriptions are omitted for parts and the like that are not directly required for the description of the present invention, such as a device configuration and a control method, a required device configuration and a control method can be appropriately selected and used. In addition, all charged particle beam drawing apparatuses, charged particle beam drawing methods, and charged particle beam drawing data processing apparatuses that include the elements of the present invention and that can be appropriately modified by those skilled in the art are included in the scope of the present invention. The

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Electron beam drawing apparatus 102 Drawing part 104 Control part 106 Storage part 110 Sample 140 Shot data generation part 142 Process distribution part 144 Control circuit 150 (1)-(n) Arithmetic processor 154 Density calculation result storage part 156 Correction amount calculation result Storage unit 158 Shot division result storage unit

Claims (5)

A storage unit that receives layout data in which a plurality of graphic patterns are defined, and stores the layout data;
A shot data generation unit that includes a plurality of arithmetic processing units, converts pattern data of the plurality of graphic patterns defined in the layout data, and generates shot data for shooting a charged particle beam on a sample; A shot division process for dividing the pattern data into shot units of the charged particle beam, a density calculation process for calculating the density of the pattern data, and a shot of the charged particle beam on the sample using the result of the density calculation process A shot data generation unit that executes a correction amount calculation process for calculating a correction amount of
The processing status of the shot division process, the density calculation process, and the correction amount calculation process is monitored. Based on the processing status, the processing units to be processed next to the plurality of processing units are as follows: A process distribution unit that distributes one of a shot division process, a density calculation process, and a correction amount calculation process;
A drawing unit for drawing on the sample using the shot data;
A charged particle beam drawing apparatus comprising: The shot data generation unit stores a shot division result storage unit that stores an output result of the shot division process, a density calculation result storage unit that stores an output result of the density calculation process, and an output result of the correction amount calculation process. A correction amount calculation result storage unit for storing,
The process distribution unit monitors the output result amount stored in each of the shot division result storage unit, the density calculation result storage unit, and the correction amount calculation result storage unit, and for the plurality of arithmetic processors 2. The charge according to claim 1, wherein one of a shot division process, a density calculation process, and a correction amount calculation process is distributed as a process to be processed next by each arithmetic processor based on the output result amount. Particle beam drawing device.   The process distribution unit includes an output result amount conversion unit that converts each output result amount of the shot division result storage unit, the density calculation result storage unit, and the correction amount calculation result storage unit into time, and the output result 3. The shot division process, the density calculation process, or the correction amount calculation process is distributed as a process to be processed next by each arithmetic processing unit based on a conversion result in the amount conversion unit. Charged particle beam lithography system. Receiving layout data in which a plurality of graphic patterns are defined, and storing the layout data;
Using a plurality of arithmetic processing units to convert pattern data of the plurality of graphic patterns defined in the layout data and generating shot data for shot a charged particle beam on a sample, the pattern A shot division process for dividing data into shot units of a charged particle beam, a density calculation process for calculating the density of the pattern data, and a correction amount when a charged particle beam is shot on a sample using the result of the density calculation process Performing a correction amount calculation process for calculating
The processing status of the shot division process, the density calculation process, and the correction amount calculation process is monitored. Based on the processing status, the processing units to be processed next to the plurality of processing units are as follows: Distributing one of a shot division process, a density calculation process, or a correction amount calculation process;
Drawing on the sample using the shot data;
A charged particle beam writing method comprising: A storage unit that receives layout data in which a plurality of graphic patterns are defined, and stores the layout data;
A shot data generation unit that converts pattern data of the plurality of graphic patterns defined in the layout data by a plurality of arithmetic processing units and generates shot data for shot a charged particle beam on a sample, A shot division process for dividing the pattern data into shot units of the charged particle beam, a density calculation process for calculating the density of the pattern data, and a shot of the charged particle beam on the sample using the result of the density calculation process A shot data generation unit that executes a correction amount calculation process for calculating a correction amount;
The processing status of the shot division process, the density calculation process, and the correction amount calculation process is monitored. Based on the processing status, the processing units to be processed next to the plurality of processing units are as follows: A charged particle beam drawing data processing apparatus comprising: a process distribution unit that distributes one of a shot division process, a density calculation process, and a correction amount calculation process.

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