WO2017019171A1 - System and method for dynamic care area generation on an inspection tool - Google Patents
System and method for dynamic care area generation on an inspection tool Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2017019171A1 WO2017019171A1 PCT/US2016/034648 US2016034648W WO2017019171A1 WO 2017019171 A1 WO2017019171 A1 WO 2017019171A1 US 2016034648 W US2016034648 W US 2016034648W WO 2017019171 A1 WO2017019171 A1 WO 2017019171A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- sample
- target patterns
- design data
- instances
- defect inspection
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 271
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 67
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 210
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 122
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 74
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 38
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 claims description 22
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000007781 pre-processing Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 168
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 18
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 17
- 230000037361 pathway Effects 0.000 description 13
- 235000012431 wafers Nutrition 0.000 description 11
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 10
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000010354 integration Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010884 ion-beam technique Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010894 electron beam technology Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004020 luminiscence type Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002085 persistent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004088 simulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000009897 systematic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- JBRZTFJDHDCESZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N AsGa Chemical compound [As]#[Ga] JBRZTFJDHDCESZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910001218 Gallium arsenide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- GPXJNWSHGFTCBW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Indium phosphide Chemical compound [In]#P GPXJNWSHGFTCBW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006399 behavior Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005136 cathodoluminescence Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000003750 conditioning effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003989 dielectric material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005284 excitation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910021421 monocrystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000005405 multipole Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006386 neutralization reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000059 patterning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000001747 pupil Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000012797 qualification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013074 reference sample Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002459 sustained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010408 sweeping Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L22/00—Testing or measuring during manufacture or treatment; Reliability measurements, i.e. testing of parts without further processing to modify the parts as such; Structural arrangements therefor
- H01L22/30—Structural arrangements specially adapted for testing or measuring during manufacture or treatment, or specially adapted for reliability measurements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L22/00—Testing or measuring during manufacture or treatment; Reliability measurements, i.e. testing of parts without further processing to modify the parts as such; Structural arrangements therefor
- H01L22/20—Sequence of activities consisting of a plurality of measurements, corrections, marking or sorting steps
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B19/00—Programme-control systems
- G05B19/02—Programme-control systems electric
- G05B19/418—Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
- G05B19/41875—Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM] characterised by quality surveillance of production
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L22/00—Testing or measuring during manufacture or treatment; Reliability measurements, i.e. testing of parts without further processing to modify the parts as such; Structural arrangements therefor
- H01L22/20—Sequence of activities consisting of a plurality of measurements, corrections, marking or sorting steps
- H01L22/24—Optical enhancement of defects or not directly visible states, e.g. selective electrolytic deposition, bubbles in liquids, light emission, colour change
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
- G05B2219/30—Nc systems
- G05B2219/37—Measurements
- G05B2219/37224—Inspect wafer
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L22/00—Testing or measuring during manufacture or treatment; Reliability measurements, i.e. testing of parts without further processing to modify the parts as such; Structural arrangements therefor
- H01L22/10—Measuring as part of the manufacturing process
- H01L22/12—Measuring as part of the manufacturing process for structural parameters, e.g. thickness, line width, refractive index, temperature, warp, bond strength, defects, optical inspection, electrical measurement of structural dimensions, metallurgic measurement of diffusions
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P90/00—Enabling technologies with a potential contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation
- Y02P90/02—Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates generally to defect inspection and, more particularly, to care area generation on an inspection tool.
- Inspection systems identify and classify defects on semiconductor wafers to generate a defect population on a wafer.
- a given semiconductor wafer may include hundreds of chips, each chip containing thousands of components of interest, and each component of interest may have millions of instances on a given layer of a chip.
- inspection systems may generate vast numbers of data points (e.g. hundreds of billions of data points for some systems) on a given wafer.
- the demands include the need for increased resolution and capacity necessary to infer the roof causes of identified defects without sacrificing inspection speed or accuracy.
- the use of design data associated with the wafer typically impacts the overhead, and thus the throughput, of an inspection process.
- a utility for the generation of care areas based on design data may provide large data files specifying various attributes of care areas that must be transferred to the inspection tool. Further, an inspection tool may need to register the design data with the sample to correlate the design coordinates with the coordinates of the inspection tool.
- the system includes an inspection sub-system.
- the inspection sub-system includes an illumination source configured to generate a beam of illumination.
- the inspection sub-system includes a set of illumination optics to direct the beam of illumination to a sample.
- the inspection sub-system includes a detector configured to collect illumination emanating from the sample.
- the system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the detector.
- the controller includes a memory device and one or more processors configured to execute program instructions.
- the controller is configured to determine one or more target patterns corresponding to one or more features on the sample. In another embodiment, the controller is configured to define one or more care areas on the sample based on the one or more target patterns and design data of the sample. In another illustrative embodiment, the design data of the sample is stored within the memory device of the controller. In another embodiment, the controller is configured to identify one or more defects within the one or more care areas of the sample based on the illumination collected by the detector. [ ⁇ ?] A defect inspection system is disclosed in accordance with one or more illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure. In one illustrative embodiment, the system includes an inspection sub-system.
- the inspection sub-system includes an illumination source configured to generate a beam of illumination. In another illustrative embodiment, the inspection sub-system includes a set of illumination optics to direct the beam of illumination to a sample. In another illustrative embodiment, the inspection sub-system includes a detector configured to collect illumination emanating from the sample, !n another illustrative embodiment, the system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the detector. In another illustrative embodiment, the controller includes a memory device and one or more processors configured to execute program instructions. In another embodiment, the controller is configured to determine one or more target patterns corresponding to one or more features on the sample. In another embodiment, the controller is configured to determine a source pattern.
- the source pattern is proximate to a subset of instances of the one or more target patterns within design data of the sample.
- the design data of the sample is stored within the memory device of the controller.
- the controller is configured to define a spatial relationship between the source pattern and the at least one target pattern of the subset of instances of the one or more target patterns within the design data of the sample.
- the controller is configured to identify one or more instances of the source pattern within the design data of the sample.
- the controller is configured to identify the subset of instances of the one or more target patterns within the design data of the sample based on the one or more identified instances of the source pattern and the spatial relationship between the source pattern and the at least one target pattern of the subset of instances of the one or more target patterns.
- the controller is configured to define one or more care areas on the sample based on the subset of instances of the one or more target patterns.
- the controller is configured to identify one or more defects within the one or more care areas of the sample based on the illumination collected by the detector.
- the method includes providing design data of a sample to an inspection system.
- the method includes determining one or more target patterns.
- the one or more target patterns include design data associated with one or more sample features to be inspected.
- the method includes defining one or more care areas on the sample by the inspection system based on the one or more target patterns and the design data of the sample.
- the method includes identifying one or more defects within the one or more care areas of the sample.
- FIG. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating an inspection system, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an inspection tool of an inspection system illustrating the use of design data to generate care areas for inspection based on design data stored on the inspection tool, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure
- FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating steps performed in a method for defect detection, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic view of design data illustrating the definition of care areas associated based on a source pattern, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;
- FIG. 5A is a conceptual view illustrating an optical inspection sub-system, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 5B is a simplified schematic view of an inspection sub-system utilizing one or more particle beams, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
- Embodiments of the present disclosure are a directed to an inspection system with on-tooi generation of care areas of a sample.
- care areas or select areas of the sample of interest for inspection, may be generated directly on the inspection tool.
- Additional embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to the on-tool identification of care areas based on identifying one or more instances of a target pattern of interest within design data of the sample stored on the inspection tool.
- a target pattern may include design data associated with one or more sample features to be inspected.
- Additional embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to the storage and pre-processing of design data of a sample on an inspection system for efficient determination of care areas on the inspection tool.
- the generation of care areas may include a search of design data of the sample for a combination of a target pattern of interest filtered to include instances of the target pattern proximate to the source pattern based on a defined spatial relationship.
- inspection tools may typically inspect only a sub-set of a surface of a sample for defects.
- the generation of care areas, or target regions of the sample to be inspected may significantly improve not only the efficiency of defect detection by reducing the inspected surface area, but also the accuracy of the defect inspection by reducing spurious signals and noise.
- care areas may be defined to provide targeted inspection analysis such as, but not limited to, analysis of a particular defect type or the analysis of a particular pattern element located throughout the sample.
- design data of the sample may be utilized to define care areas.
- design data typically impacts the overhead, and thus the throughput, of an inspection process.
- a utility for the generation of care areas based on design data may provide large data files specifying various attributes of care areas (e.g. the location of each care area on a sample, the shape of each care area, and the like) that must be transferred to the inspection tool.
- an inspection tool may need to register (e.g. align, scale, or the like) the design data with the sample to correlate the design coordinates (e.g. graphical design system (GDS) coordinates, or the like) with the coordinates of the inspection tool.
- GDS graphical design system
- Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to the storage of a pre- processed version of the design data of the sample on an inspection tool.
- design-based care areas may be generated on the inspection tool using the pre- processed design data (e.g. a local version of pre-processed design data). Further, in some embodiments, design-based care areas may be generated on the inspection tool without further data transfer requirements. Additionally, design-based care areas generated on the inspection tool may be automatically aligned to coordinates of the inspection tool.
- sample generally refers to a substrate formed of a semiconductor or non-semiconductor material (e.g. a wafer, or the like).
- a semiconductor or non-semiconductor material may include, but is not limited to, monocrystalline silicon, gallium arsenide, and indium phosphide
- a sample may include one or more layers.
- such layers may include, but are not limited to, a resist, a dielectric material, a conductive material, and a semiconductive material. Many different types of such layers are known in the art, and the term sample as used herein is intended to encompass a sample on which all types of such layers may be formed.
- One or more layers formed on a sample may be patterned or unpatterned.
- a sample may include a plurality of dies, each having repeatable patterned features. Formation and processing of such layers of material may ultimately result in completed devices.
- Many different types of devices may be formed on a sample, and the term sample as used herein is intended to encompass a sample on which any type of device known in the art is being fabricated.
- the term sample and wafer should be interpreted as interchangeable.
- the terms patterning device, mask and reticle should be interpreted as interchangeable.
- FIG. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating an inspection system 100, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
- the inspection system 100 includes an inspection sub-system 102 to detect defects on a sample 1 10.
- inspection sub-system 102 may be any type of inspection system known in the art suitable for detecting defects on a sample 1 10.
- the inspection sub-system 102 may include a particle-beam inspection sub-system.
- inspection sub-system 102 may direct one or more particle beams (e.g. electron beams, ion beams, or the like) to the sample 1 10 such that one or more defects are detectable based on detected radiation emanating from the sample 1 10 (e.g. secondary electrons, backscattered electrons, luminescence, or the like).
- inspection sub-system 102 may include an optical inspection sub-system.
- inspection sub-system 102 may direct optical radiation to the sample 1 10 such that one or more defects are detectable based on detected radiation emanating from the sample 1 10 (e.g. reflected radiation, scattered radiation, diffracted radiation, luminescent radiation, or the like).
- detected radiation emanating from the sample 1 10 e.g. reflected radiation, scattered radiation, diffracted radiation, luminescent radiation, or the like.
- the inspection sub-system 102 may operate in an imaging mode or a nonimaging mode.
- individual objects e.g. defects
- the illuminated spot on the sample e.g. as part of a bright-field image, a dark-field image, a phase-contrast image, or the like.
- radiation collected by one or more detectors may associated with a single illuminated spot on the sample and may represent a single pixel of an image of the sample 1 10.
- an image of the sample 1 10 may be generated by acquiring data from an array of sample locations.
- the inspection sub-system 102 may operate as a scatterometry-based inspection system in which radiation from the sample is analyzed at a pupil plane to characterize the angular distribution of radiation from the sample 1 10 (e.g. associated with scattering and/or diffraction of radiation by the sample 1 10).
- the inspection system 100 includes a controller 104 coupled to the inspection sub-system 102.
- the controller 104 may be communicatively coupled to the detector 522.
- the controller 1 18 may be configured to receive data including, but not limited to, inspection data from the inspection sub-system 102.
- the controller 1 18 includes one or more processors 108.
- the one or more processors 108 may be configured to execute a set of program instructions maintained in a memory device 108, or memory.
- the one or more processors 106 of a controller 104 may include any processing element known in the art. In this sense, the one or more processors 108 may include any microprocessor-type device configured to execute algorithms and/or instructions.
- the memory medium 108 may include any storage medium known in the art suitable for storing program instructions executable by the associated one or more processors 108.
- the memory medium 108 may include a non- transitory memory medium.
- the memory medium 108 may include, but is not limited to, a read-only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic or optical memory device (e.g., disk), a magnetic tape, a solid state drive and the like, li is further noted that memory medium 108 may be housed in a common controller housing with the one or more processors 108.
- the inspection system 100 may utilize any inspection technique known in the art to detect defects associated with a sample. For example, defects on a sample 1 10 may be detected by comparing measured characteristics of the sample (e.g. generated by inspection sub-system 102, or the like) with measured characteristics of a reference sample (e.g. die-to-die (D2D) inspection, standard reference die (SRD) inspection, or the like). As another example, defects on a sample 1 10 may be detected by comparing an inspection image of the sample 1 10 with an image based on design characteristics (e.g. die-to-database (D2DB) inspection). As a further, example, the inspection system 100 may include a virtual inspection system. In one embodiment, the controller 104 operates as a virtual inspector.
- D2D die-to-die
- SRD standard reference die
- the inspection system 100 may include a virtual inspection system. In one embodiment, the controller 104 operates as a virtual inspector.
- the controller 104 may detect one or more defects on the sample 1 10 by comparing inspection data of the sample to persistent reference data (e.g. one or more reference images).
- the one or more reference images may be stored on the inspection system 100 (e.g. in memory 108) and utilized for defect detection.
- the controller 104 generates and/or receives a simulated inspection image based on design data associated with the sample 1 10 to operate as a reference image for defect detection.
- Inspection systems using design data are generally described in U.S. Patent Application no. 2014/0153814, published on June 5, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- Inspection systems using persistent data are generally described in U.S. Patent no. 8, 126,255, issued on February 28, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- Inspection systems using design data of a sample to facilitate inspection is generally described in U.S. Patent no. 7,676,077, issued on March 9, 2010, and U.S. Patent no. 6,154,714, issued on November 28, 2000, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- the determination of defect and fault sources are generally described in U.S. Patent no. 6,920,596, issued on July 19, 2005, U.S.
- Device property extraction and monitoring is generally described in U.S. Patent no. 8,61 1 ,639, issued on December 17, 2013.
- the use of dual-energy electron flooding for neutralization of a charged substrate is generally described in U.S. Patent no. 6,930,309, issued on August 16, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- the use of reticles in inspection systems is generally described in U.S. Patent no. 6,529,621 , issued on March 4, 2003, U.S. Patent no. 6,748,103, issued on June 8, 2004, and U.S. Patent no.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an inspection tool 202 of an inspection system 100 illustrating the definition of care areas on the inspection tool 202, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, !n one embodiment, the inspection tool 202 includes one or more modules configured to perform one or more steps of the inspection tool 102.
- the one or more modules of the inspection tool 202 may be, but are not required to be, implemented as one or more program instructions stored in memory 108 and executed by one or more processors 106.
- the inspection tool 202 includes a design module 204.
- the design module 204 may include design data associated with one or more samples 1 10 to be inspected by the inspection tool 202,
- care areas may be generated on the inspection tool 202 using design data associated with the sample 1 10. It is noted herein that the generation of design-based care areas directly on inspection tool 202 may facilitate efficient and dynamic generation of care areas. For example, the generation of design-based care areas on the inspection tool 202 may reduce data transfer (e.g. of care area definitions, or the like) between the inspection tool 202 and external systems.
- design-based care areas on the inspection tool 202 may facilitate accurate alignment of coordinates associated with the design data to coordinates associated with the sample and/or the inspection tool 202.
- design coordinates e.g. GDS coordinates, or the like
- the generation of design-based care areas on the inspection tool may facilitate accurate and efficient alignment the design and sample coordinate systems.
- design data generally refers to the physical design of an integrated circuit and data derived from the physical design through complex simulation or simple geometric and Boolean operations.
- an image of a reticle acquired by a reticle inspection system and/or derivatives thereof may be used as a proxy or proxies for the design data.
- Such a reticle image or a derivative thereof may serve as a substitute for the design layout in any embodiments described herein that uses design data.
- Design data and design data proxies are described in U.S. Patent No. 7,676,007 by Kulkarni issued on March 9, 2010; U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 13/1 15,957 by Kulkarni filed on May 25, 201 1 ; U.S.
- Design data may include characteristics of individual components and/or layers on the sample 1 10 (e.g. an insulator, a conductor, a semiconductor, a well, a substrate, or the like), a connectivity relationship between layers on the sample 1 10, or a physical layout of components and connections (e.g. wires) on the sample 1 10.
- design data may include a plurality of design pattern elements corresponding to printed pattern elements on the sample 1 12.
- design data may include what is known as a "fioorplan,” which contains placement information for pattern elements on the sample 1 10. It is further noted herein that this information may be extracted from the physical design of a chip usually stored in GDSII or OASIS file formats. The structural behavior or process- design interactions may be a function of the context (surroundings) of a pattern element.
- the analysis proposed can identify pattern elements within the design data, such as polygons describing features to be constructed on a semiconductor layer. Further, the proposed method may provide the coordination information of these repeating blocks as well as contextual data (e.g. the positions of adjacent structures, or the like.
- design data includes one or more graphical representations (e.g. visual representations, symbolic representations, diagrammatic representations, or the like) of pattern elements.
- design data may include a graphical representation of the physical layout of components (e.g. descriptions of one or more polygons corresponding to printed pattern elements fabricated on the sample 1 10).
- design data may include a graphical representation of one or more layers of a sample design (e.g. one or more layers of printed pattern elements fabricated on the sample 1 10) or the connectivity between the one or more layers.
- design data may include a graphical representation of electrical connectivity of components on the sample 1 10.
- the design data may include a graphical representation of one or more circuits or sub-circuits associated with the sample.
- design data includes one or more image files containing graphical representations of one or more portions of the sample 1 10.
- design data includes one or more textual descriptions (e.g. one or more lists, one or more tables, one or more databases, or the like) of the connectivity of pattern elements of the sample 1 10.
- design data may include, but is not limited to, netlist data, circuit simulation data, or hardware description language data.
- Netiists may include any type of netlist known in the art for providing a description of the connectivity of an electrical circuit including, but not limited to physical netiists, logical netiists, instance-based netiists, or net-based netiists.
- a netlist may include one or more sub-netlists (e.g. in a hierarchal configuration) to describe circuits and/or sub-circuits on a sample 1 10.
- netlist data associated with a neilist may include, but is not limited to, a list of nodes (e.g. nets, wires between components of a circuit, or the like), a list of ports (e.g. terminals, pins, connectors, or the like), a description of electrical components between the nets, (e.g. resistor, capacitor, inductor, transistor, diode, power source, or the like), values associated with the electrical components (e.g. a resistance value in ohms of a resistor, a voltage value in volts of a power source, frequency characteristics of a voltage source, initial conditions of components, or the like).
- nodes e.g. nets, wires between components of a circuit, or the like
- ports e.g. terminals, pins, connectors, or the like
- electrical components between the nets e.g. resistor, capacitor, inductor, transistor, diode, power source, or the like
- values associated with the electrical components
- design data may include one or more netlists associated with specific steps of a semiconductor process flow.
- a sample 1 10 may be inspected (e.g. by system 100) at one or more intermediate points in a semiconductor process flow.
- design data utilized to generate care areas may be specific to the layout of the sample 1 10 at a current point in the semiconductor process flow.
- a netiist associated with a particular intermediate point in a semiconductor process flow may be derived (e.g.
- the design module 204 of the inspection tool 202 executes a step 206 of pre-processing design data.
- design data may include data irrelevant to the determination of care areas of inspection system 100 (e.g. fabrication data, or the like). Further, design data may not be in a format suitable for efficient identification (e.g. searching, matching, or the like) of pattern elements of interest within the design data.
- pre-processed design data may include a version of design data that is pre-processed to facilitate efficient generation of care areas on the inspection tool 202. In this regard, the pre-processed design data may facilitate the identification of one or more instances of target patterns (e.g.
- the pre- processed design data may be searchable according any combination of design data elements including, but not limited to, an identifier of a target pattern, an electrical characteristic of a target pattern, a physical characteristic of a target pattern, or a relationship between a target pattern and one or more additional patterns (e.g. an anchor pattern, a source pattern, or the like), or a graphical representation of a target pattern.
- additional patterns e.g. an anchor pattern, a source pattern, or the like
- design data (e.g. raw design data, pre-processed design data, or a combination thereof) is stored by the inspection tool 202.
- the design data may be stored within a memory device 108 of controller 104.
- design data may be pre-processed external to the inspection system 100 and stored on the inspection tool 202.
- pre-processed design data associated with one or more samples may be transferred to the inspection tool 202.
- the design module 204 executes a step of analyzing design data stored on the inspection tool 202. !n this regard, the design module 204 may identify one or more instances of a target pattern within design data of a sample (e.g. by searching pre-processed design data for instances of one or more target patterns, or the like). Further, the design module 204 may provide parameters of the identified instances of the target patterns necessary for the generation of care areas such as, but not limited to, coordinates and/or the shape of the identified target patterns.
- the inspection tool 202 includes a recipe module 210.
- the recipe module 210 may generate recipes for one or more inspection steps by the inspection tool 202.
- a recipe may include, but is not limited to, a description of one or more care areas to inspect for defects, one or more registration operations (e.g. to align and/or scale coordinates associated with the design data to coordinates associated with the sample and/or inspection sub-system 102, or the like), one or more defect identification steps, or one or more defect classification steps.
- the generation of design-based care areas on the inspection tool 202 may facilitate efficient multi-step inspection processes (e.g. for systematic defect discovery, or the like).
- the recipe module 210 executes a step 212 of determining one or more target patterns (e.g. one or more pattern elements of interest, one or more hotspots, or the like) associated with fabricated pattern elements on the sample 1 10 to be inspected by the inspection tool 202 in an inspection step.
- target patterns e.g. one or more pattern elements of interest, one or more hotspots, or the like
- recipe module 210 may provide one or more target patterns based on one or more objectives of an inspection run of the inspection tool 202.
- the recipe module 210 may provide target patterns associated with a known defect type of interest.
- the recipe module 204 determines one or more target patterns in an automated process. For example, the recipe module 204 may analyze the design data 208 of the sample 1 10 to determine one or more target patterns likely to exhibit defects (e.g. based on characteristics associated with the physical layout, pattern size, proximity to other patterns, circuit complexity, or the like).
- the determination of target patterns is facilitated by a user.
- a user may provide an input to the inspection tool 202 (e.g. an input to the recipe module 210) including, but not limited to, one or more defect identifiers, one or more GDS coordinates, one or more design-based classification (DBC) clips, or one or more design-based grouping (DBG) bins.
- the recipe module 210 may determine one or more target patterns based on the user input.
- the inspection tool 202 may provide a visual display associated with the design data (e.g. within a design view of the inspector tool 202). In this regard, the user may select one or more target patterns from the visual display of the design data.
- the visual display may include a graphical display (e.g. a display of an image, or the like) in which design pattern elements (e.g. pattern elements associated with the physical layout of components, pattern elements associated with electrical connections between components, or the like) of the design data may be displayed.
- the visual display may include a text-based display in which design data may be displayed.
- a user may visualize (e.g. on a graphical display) design data according to a coordinate system (e.g. GDS coordinates) to determine and/or confirm one or more target patterns.
- a user may input (e.g. into an input device of the inspection system 100) coordinates to visualize and/or confirm design data at the specified location for the generation of target patterns for inspection.
- the recipe module 210 executes a step 214 of defining one or more care areas to be inspected on the sample 1 10.
- the recipe module 210 may define one or more care areas based on the one or more target patterns and the design data stored on the inspection tool 202.
- the recipe module 210 interfaces with the design module 204 to analyze the design data based on one or more determined target patterns.
- the recipe module 210 may provide one or more target patterns to the design module 204 for pattern matching.
- the design module 204 may identify one or more instances of the target patterns within the design data and provide to the recipe module 1 10 any parameters necessary for the generation of care areas based on the identified instances of the target patterns.
- the design module 204 may provide the location (e.g. in design coordinates) of identified instances of the target patterns, the shapes of the identified instances of the target patterns, outlines of the identified instances of the target patterns, or the like.
- the recipe module 210 executes a step 216 of identifying defects on the sample 1 10.
- the recipe module 210 may interface with the inspection sub-system 102 to perform defect inspection. Further, the recipe module 210 may analyze data received by the inspection sub-system 102 to determine the presence of one or more defects. Additionally, the recipe module 210 may characterize one or more defects. For example, the recipe module may, but is not required to, characterize defects based on a DBC system, a DBG system, or the like. Further, the recipe module 210 may assign one or more defect identifiers to one or more characterized defects.
- the steps described throughout the present disclosure may be carried out by a single controller 104 or, alternatively, multiple controllers 104.
- the one or more controllers 104 may be located proximate to the inspection sub-system 102. Additionally, the one or more controllers 104 may be housed in a common housing with the inspection sub-system 102. Further, any controller or combination of controllers may be separately packaged as a module suitable for integration into a complete inspection system 100. For example, a first controller may be configured to perform the steps associated with the design module 204. One or more additional controllers may then be configured to perform the steps associated with the recipe module 210. In this regard, the one or controllers 104 may be integrated into the inspection system 100.
- FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating steps performed in a method 300 for defect detection, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Applicant notes that the embodiments and enabling technologies described previously herein in the context of system 100 should be interpreted to extend to method 300. It is further noted, however, that the method 300 is not limited to the architecture of system 100.
- the method 300 includes a step 302 of providing design data of a sample to an inspection system.
- design data may be, but is not required to be, provided to an inspection system in the form of one of more data files (e.g. GDSII files, OASIS files, or the like).
- design data provided to the inspection system may be utilized to generate one or more design-based care areas for inspection.
- the method 300 includes a step 304 of determining one or more target patterns.
- one or more target patterns of interest associated with fabricated features on the sample may be provided for inspection.
- target patterns may include one or more polygons representative of features to be constructed on a semiconductor layer (e.g. one or more instances of a cross, plus, L-shape, T-shape, square, rectangle, or other polygon with specific dimensions and spacing between instances).
- one or more target patterns are determined based on defect identifiers.
- one or more known defects or defect types associated with defect identifiers e.g. identifiers used to classify one or more defects, or the like
- one or more specific target patterns e.g. based on one or more previous inspection runs, based on one or more design characteristics, or the like. Accordingly, occurrences of the known defects or defect types may be characterized by providing the corresponding target patterns for inspection.
- one or more target patterns are determined based on a previous inspection step (e.g. by the inspection system 100 or an additional inspection system). For example, in systematic defect discovery, a first inspection run on a sample 1 10 or a portion of the sample 1 10 may identify one or more fabricated components of the sample 1 10 prone to defects. In this regard, the first inspection run may determine one or more target patterns associated with the identified fabricated components on the sample 1 10. Further, a second inspection run may include a recipe (e.g. generated by recipe module 210) to perform a dedicated inspection of the one or more target patterns identified from the first inspection run. In another embodiment, one or more target patterns are determined according to a DBC or a DBG process associated with a previous inspection step.
- one or more target patterns are determined based on one or more coordinates (e.g. GDS coordinates, or the like) of a target pattern on a sample.
- one or more target patterns may be determined based on known coordinates of an exemplary target pattern of interest associated with the design data.
- one or more target patterns may be determined based on known coordinates of an exemplary fabricated component on the sample 1 10. Accordingiy the one or more target patterns associated with the exemplary fabricated component may be provided for inspection.
- the method 300 includes a step 308 of defining one or more care areas on the sample by the inspection system based on the target pattern and the design data of the sample.
- step 308 may include defining one or more areas on the sample to be inspected.
- a care area may include coordinates on the sample (e.g. in the coordinate system of the inspection system) to be inspected.
- a care area includes one or more target regions on the sample for inspection.
- a first target region may include one or more instances of a first target pattern identified in step 304
- a second target region may include one more instances of a second target pattern identified instep 304, and the like.
- the definition of one or more target regions may facilitate sensitive inspection of the sample 1 10.
- target regions may be defined to include samples with similar sensitivity levels. Accordingly, each target area may be inspected with a different sensitivity threshold such that the contrast of inspection data associated with each target region may be increased.
- step 306 includes identifying one or more instances of target patterns determined in step 304 within the design data (e.g. the pre-processed design data stored in memory device 108 of inspection system 100).
- each identified instance of the target patterns of interest may be included in a care area.
- variations target patterns of interest e.g. a horizontal and/or vertical flip of a target pattern, a scaled version of a target pattern, a rotated version of a target pattern, or the like
- step 306 includes identifying one or more instances of target patterns determined in step 304 within the design data (e.g. the pre-processed design data stored in memory device 108 of inspection system 100).
- each identified instance of the target patterns of interest may be included in a care area.
- variations target patterns of interest e.g. a horizontal and/or vertical flip of a target pattern, a scaled version of a target pattern, a rotated version of a target pattern, or the like
- step 306 may include searching the design data for one or more instances of the target pattern to generate one or more identified instances of the target pattern.
- step 306 includes a text-based search of design data.
- text-based design data e.g. one or more lists, one or more tables, one or more databases, one or more data files, or the like
- step 306 includes an imaged-based search of design data.
- one or more instances of a target pattern may be found through an image processing algorithm such as, but not limited to, a feature- extraction technique, a convolution technique, pattern-matching technique, a spatial frequency analysis, a transform technique (e.g. a Hough transform technique, or the like).
- an image processing algorithm such as, but not limited to, a feature- extraction technique, a convolution technique, pattern-matching technique, a spatial frequency analysis, a transform technique (e.g. a Hough transform technique, or the like).
- multiple design layers of design data e.g. corresponding to multiple layers of fabricated components on the sample 1 10) may be individually searched for one or more instances of target patterns of interest.
- target patterns may be identified using design data contained in a design layout file, such as OASIS or GDS. It is noted herein that the target patterns may vary in size and may be located at various levels of the design data (e.g. associated with various layers, dies, blocks, cells, or the like of the sample 1 10). In this regard, target patterns in the design data may be identified with a known or observed design eel! hierarchy. For example, a design ceil hierarchy may be analyzed to identify target patterns in repeating groups within a given set of inspection data.
- the target patterns may be identified utilizing a design rule checking (DRC) process, an optical rule checking (ORG), or a failure analysis (FA) process in order to identify target patterns critical to device performance.
- the target patterns may be identified utilizing a process window qualification method (PWQ). Searching design data for one or more target patterns may be performed as described in the above-described references by Kuikarni et ai. and Zafar et ai., which are incorporated above by reference above.
- the target patterns may be identified on the semiconductor wafer utilizing data from electronic design automation (EDA) tools and other knowledge. Any such information about the design generated by an EDA tool may be used to identify the repeating blocks.
- EDA electronic design automation
- the design data may be searched for one or more target patterns in any suitable manner. For example, searching the design data for one or more target patterns may be performed as described in the above-referenced patent applications by Kuikarni et al. and Zafar et al., which are incorporated above by reference.
- the target patterns may be selected or identified using any other method or system described in this patent application.
- design data may be analyzed in order to identify appropriate target patterns for inspection based on the given inspection technology (e.g., optical inspection, e-beam inspection and the like).
- target patterns may be repeated through the die of a sample 1 10, forming repeating blocks (or fields).
- ceils of a sample 1 10 are sometimes repeated through a given die under different names or may be repeated under one name at multiple locations.
- repeating cells are aligned on the same horizontal and/or vertical axis. In other embodiments, repeating cells are not aligned on the same horizontal and/or vertical axis.
- step 306 includes providing a confidence metric associated with the identification of each instance of target patterns of interest to locations within design data.
- an instance of a target pattern within device data may include an exact match (e.g. a confidence metric of 100%, or the like) or a substantial match (e.g. a confidence metric less than 100%).
- a confidence metric may range from 0 (no match) to 1 (exact match).
- care areas may be defined to include a subset of identified instances of target patterns.
- the probability that a particular defect on a particular component of a device fabricated on a sample 1 10 will induce a degradation of performance may depend on multiple factors such as, but not limited to, the presence of neighboring structures or operating conditions of the particular component.
- step 306 includes defining one or more care areas to include instances of target patterns proximate to an additional pattern (e.g. a source pattern, an anchor pattern, or the like) within the design data.
- an additional pattern e.g. a source pattern, an anchor pattern, or the like
- the presence of a source pattern may operate as a filter to provide a subset of instances of target patterns as care areas to be inspected.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic view of design data illustrating the definition of care areas associated based on a source pattern, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
- the design data 402 includes multiple instances of target pattern 404. Further, the design data 402 includes a source pattern 408 proximate to the subset of instances of the target pattern 404 (e.g. a particular instance 412 of the target pattern 404).
- a source pattern may include, but is not limited to one or more instances of a crossing, cross, plus, L-shape, T-shape, square, rectangle, or any other polygon with specific dimensions and spacing between instances.
- step 306 may include the definition of a care area 406 around a particular instance 412 of the target pattern 404 based on a spatial relationship between the particular instance 412 of the target pattern 404 and the source pattern 408.
- a spatial relationship between the particular instance 412 of the target pattern 404 and the source pattern 408 may include, but is not limited to, a vector 414 between the particular instance 412 of the target pattern 404 and the source pattern 408.
- step 306 includes searching for one or more instances of the source pattern within the design data and further identifying the subset of instances of the target patterns (e.g. the particular instance 412 of the target pattern 404) for inclusion within a care area based on the spatial relationship between the particular instance 412 of the target pattern 404 and the source pattern 408.
- step 306 includes searching for instances of a combined target pattern 410 including the source pattern 408 and an instance of the target pattern within device data 402, while defining a care area 406 around the subset of instances (e.g. the particular instance 412 of the target pattern 404) of the target pattern 404 associated with the identified composite target pattern 410.
- the source pattern 408 may be utilized as part of a search step, while not being included within the associated care area 406.
- the method 300 includes a step 308 of identifying one or more defects within the one or more care areas of the sample.
- the inspection system e.g. inspection system 100
- data from inspection sub-system 102 may be analyzed to determine the presence of one or more defects on the sample 1 12 associated with the care areas defined in step 306.
- identified defects may be classified (e.g. according to defect identifiers, DBC dips, DBG bins, or the like.
- data associated with the one or more identified defects may be provided (e.g. as feed-forward data, feed-back data, or the like) to the inspection system 100 and/or external systems.
- a single controller 104 may be carried out by a single controller 104 or, alternatively, multiple controllers 104. It is further noted herein that the one or more controllers 104 may be housed in a common housing or within multiple housings. In this way, any controller or combination of controllers may be separately packaged as a module suitable for integration into a complete inspection system 100.
- a first controller may be configured to perform the step of identifying a set of illumination detection events based on an illumination signal received from the illumination sensor.
- One or more additional controllers may then be configured to perform the steps of: identifying a set of radiation detection events based on one or more radiation signals received from the one or more radiation sensors, comparing the set of radiation detection events to the set of illumination detection events to generate a set of coincidence events, and excluding the set of coincidence events from the set of illumination detection events to generate a set of identified features on the sample.
- FIG. 5A is a conceptual view of an inspection sub-system 102 configured as an optical inspection sub-system, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
- the inspection sub-system 102 includes an illumination source 502.
- the illumination source 502 may include any illumination source known in the art suitable for generating an illumination beam 504 (e.g. a beam of photons).
- the illumination source 502 may include, but is not limited to, a monochromatic light source (e.g. a laser), a polychromatic light source with a spectrum including two or more discrete wavelengths, a broadband light source, or a wavelength- sweeping light source.
- the illumination source 502 may, but is not limited to, be formed from a white light source (e.g. a broadband light source with a spectrum including visible wavelengths), an laser source, a free-form illumination source, a single- pole illumination source, a multi-pole illumination source, an arc lamp, an electrode-less lamp, or a laser sustained plasma (LSP) source.
- the illumination beam 504 may be delivered via free-space propagation or guided light (e.g. an optical fiber, a light pipe, or the like).
- the illumination source 502 directs the one or more illumination beams 504 to the sample 1 10 via an illumination pathway 506.
- the illumination pathway 506 may include one or more lenses 510.
- the illumination pathway 506 may include one or more additional optical components 508 suitable for modifying and/or conditioning the one or more illumination beams 504.
- the one or more optical components 508 may include, but are not limited to, one or more polarizers, one or more filters, one or more beam splitters, one or more diffusers, one or more homogenizers, one or more apodizers, or one or more beam shapers.
- the illumination pathway 506 includes a beamsplitter 514.
- the inspection sub-system 102 includes an objective lens 516 to focus the one or more illumination beams 504 onto the sample 1 10.
- the illumination source 502 may direct the one or more illumination beams 504 to the sample at any angle via the illumination pathway 506. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, the illumination source 502 directs the one or more illumination beams 504 to the sample 1 10 at normal incidence angle. In another embodiment, the illumination source 502 directs the one or more illumination beams 504 to the sample 1 10 at a non-normal incidence angle (e.g. a glancing angle, a 45-degree angle, or the like).
- a non-normal incidence angle e.g. a glancing angle, a 45-degree angle, or the like.
- the sample 1 10 is disposed on a sample stage 512 suitable for securing the sample 1 10 during scanning.
- the sample stage 512 is an actuatable stage.
- the sample stage 512 may include, but is not limited to, one or more translational stages suitable for selectabiy translating the sample 1 10 along one or more linear directions (e.g., x-direction, y- direction and/or z-direction).
- the sample stage 512 may include, but is not limited to, one or more rotational stages suitable for selectabiy rotating the sample 1 10 along a rotational direction.
- the sample stage 512 may include, but is not limited to, a rotational stage and a transiational stage suitable for selectabiy translating the sample along a linear direction and/or rotating the sample 1 10 along a rotational direction.
- the illumination pathway 506 includes one or more beam scanning optics (not shown) suitable for scanning the illumination beam 504 across the sample 1 10.
- the one or more illumination pathway 506 may include any type of beam scanner known in the art such as, but is not limited to, one or more electro-optic beam deflectors, one or more acousto-opfic beam deflectors, one or more galvanornetric scanners, one or more resonant scanners, or one or more polygonal scanners.
- the surface of a sample 1 10 may be scanned in an r ⁇ theta pattern.
- the illumination beam 504 may be scanned according to any pattern on the sample.
- the illumination beam 504 is split into one or more beams such that one or more beams may be scanned simultaneously.
- the inspection sub-system 102 includes one or more detectors 522 (e.g. one or more optical detectors, one or more photon detectors, or the like) configured to capture radiation emanating from the sample 1 10 through a collection pathway 518.
- the collection pathway 518 may include multiple optical elements to direct and/or modify illumination collected by the objective lens 516 including, but not limited to one or more lenses 520, one or more filters, one or more polarizers, one or more beam blocks, or one or more beamsplitters. It is noted herein that components of the collection pathway 518 may be oriented in any position relative to the sample 1 10. In one embodiment, the collection pathway includes the objective lens 516 oriented normal to the sample 1 10.
- the collection pathway 518 includes multiple collection lenses oriented to collect radiation from the sample at multiple solid angles.
- the inspection system 100 includes a bright-field inspection system. For example, a bright-field image of the sample 1 10, or a portion of the sample 1 10, may be projected onto the detector 522 (e.g. by the objective lens 516, the one or more lenses 520, or the like).
- the inspection system 100 includes a dark-field inspection system.
- the inspection system 100 may include one or more components (e.g.
- the inspection system 100 includes an oblique angle inspection system.
- the inspection system 100 may direct the illumination beam 504 to the sample at an off-axis angle to provide contrast for the inspection of defects.
- the inspection system 100 includes a phase contrast inspection system.
- the inspection system 100 may include one or more phase plates and/or beam blocks (e.g. an annular beam block, or the like) to provide a phase contrast between diffracted and undiffracted light from the sample to provide contrast for defect inspection.
- the inspection system 100 may include a luminescence inspection system (e.g. a fluorescence inspection system, a phosphorescence inspection system, or the like).
- the inspection system 100 may direct an illumination beam 504 with a first wavelength spectrum to the sample 1 10, and include one or more filters to detect one or more additional wavelength spectra emanating from the sample 1 10 (e.g. emanating from one or more components of the sample 1 10 and/or one or more defects on the sample 1 10).
- the inspection system includes one or more pinholes located in confocal positions such that the system 100 may operate as a confocal inspection system.
- FIG. 5B is a simplified schematic view of an inspection sub-system configured as a particle beam inspection sub-system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
- the illumination source 502 includes a particle source configured to generate a particle beam 504.
- the particle source 502 may include any particle source known in the art suitable for generating a particle beam 504.
- the particle source 502 may include, but is not limited to, an electron gun or an ion gun.
- the particle source 502 is configured to provide a particle beam 504 with a tunable energy.
- a particle source 502 including an electron source may, but is not limited to, provide an accelerating voltage in the range of 0.1 kV to 30 kV.
- a particle source including an ion source may, but is not required to, provide an ion beam with an energy value in the range of 1 to 50 keV.
- the inspection sub-system 102 includes two or more particle beam sources 502 (e.g. electron beam sources or ion beam sources) for the generation of two or more particle beams 504.
- particle beam sources 502 e.g. electron beam sources or ion beam sources
- the illumination pathway 506 includes one or more particle focusing elements 524.
- the one or more particle focusing elements 524 may include, but are not limited to, a single particle focusing element or one or more particle focusing elements forming a compound system.
- an objective lens 516 of the system 100 is configured to direct the particle beam 504 to the sample 1 10.
- the one or more particle focusing elements 524 and/or the objective lens 516 may include any type of particle lenses known in the art including, but not limited to, electrostatic, magnetic, uni-potential, or double-potential lenses.
- the inspection sub-system 102 may include, but is not limited to one or more electron deflectors, one or more apertures, one or more filters, or one or more stigmators.
- the inspection sub-system 102 includes one or more particle beam scanning elements 526.
- the one or more particle beam scanning elements may include, but are not limited to, one or more scanning coils or deflectors suitable for controlling a position of the beam relative to the surface of the sample 1 10.
- the one or more scanning elements may be utilized to scan the particle beam 504 across the sample 1 10 in a selected pattern.
- the inspection sub-system includes a detector 522 to image or otherwise detect particles 528 emanating from the sample 1 10.
- the detector 522 includes an electron collector (e.g., a secondary electron collector, a backscatiered electron detector, or the like).
- the detector 522 includes a photon detector (e.g., a photodetector, an x-ray detector, a scintillating element coupled to photomultiplier tube (PMT) detector, or the like) for detecting electrons and/or photons from the sample surface.
- PMT photomultiplier tube
- the detector 522 may include any device or combination of devices known in the art for characterizing a sample surface or bulk with a particle beam 504.
- the detector 522 may include any particle detector known in the art configured to collect backscattered electrons, Auger electrons, transmitted electrons or photons (e.g., x-rays emitted by surface in response to incident electrons, cathodoluminescence of the sample 108, or the like).
- particle detector known in the art configured to collect backscattered electrons, Auger electrons, transmitted electrons or photons (e.g., x-rays emitted by surface in response to incident electrons, cathodoluminescence of the sample 108, or the like).
- the inspection system 100 includes a voltage contrast imaging (VC! system.
- VC voltage contrast imaging
- particle beams e.g. electron beams, ion beams, or the like
- a semiconductor sample e.g. a random logic chip, or the like
- particle beams may be utilized within an inspection system to image a sample (e.g. by capturing secondary electrons, backscattered electrons, or the like emanating from the sample).
- structures on a sample e.g. a patterned semiconductor wafer
- Charging effects may include a modification of the number of electrons (e.g. secondary electrons) captured by the system and thus the VCI signal strength.
- a voltage contrast imaging (VCI) system may generate a high-resolution image of a sample in which the intensity of each pixel of the image provides data on the electrical properties of the sample at the pixel location.
- insulating structures and/or structures that are not connected to a ground source e.g. are not grounded
- may develop a charge e.g. a positive charge or a negative charge
- particles e.g. secondary electrons, ions, or the like
- the induced charge may deflect the trajectories of secondary electrons and reduce the signal intensity captured by a detector.
- grounded structures may not develop a charge and therefore may exhibit a strong signal (e.g. appear bright in an associated VCI image).
- the signal strength of capacitive structures may be a function of the scan speed and/or the energy of the particle beam.
- a VGI image may include a grayscale image in which the grayscale value of each pixel provides data on the relative electrical characteristics of that location on the wafer.
- the inspection system 100 includes one or more components (e.g. one or more electrodes) configured to apply one or more voltages to one or more locations of the sample 108. In this regard, the system 100 may generate active voltage contrast imaging data.
- the inspection system 100 may include a display (not shown).
- the display is communicatively coupled to the controller 104.
- the display may be communicatively coupled to one or more processors 104 of controller 101 .
- the one or more processors 106 may display one or more of the various results of the present invention on display.
- the display device may include any display device known in the art.
- the display device may include, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD).
- the display device may include, but is not limited to, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) based display.
- the display device may include, but is not limited to a CRT display.
- LCD liquid crystal display
- OLED organic light-emitting diode
- CRT CRT display.
- the inspection system 100 may include a user interface device (not shown).
- the user interface device is communicatively couple to the one or more processors 106 of controller 104.
- the user interface device may be utilized by controller 104 to accept selections and/or instructions from a user.
- the display may be used to display data to a user.
- a user may input selection and/or instructions (e.g., a user selection of inspection regions) responsive to inspection data displayed to the user via display device.
- the user interface device may include any user interface known in the art.
- the user interface may include, but is not limited to, a keyboard, a keypad, a touchscreen, a lever, a knob, a scroll wheel, a track bail, a switch, a dial, a sliding bar, a scroll bar, a slide, a handle, a touch pad, a paddle, a steering wheel, a joystick, a bezel input device or the like.
- a touchscreen interface device those skilled in the art should recognize that a large number of touchscreen interface devices may be suitable for implementation in the present invention.
- the display device may be integrated with a touchscreen interface, such as, but not limited to, a capacitive touchscreen, a resistive touchscreen, a surface acoustic based touchscreen, an infrared based touchscreen, or the like, !n a general sense, any touchscreen interface capable of integration with the display portion of the display device 105 is suitable for implementation in the present invention.
- the user interface may include, but is not limited to, a bezel mounted interface.
- FIGS. 5A and 5B are provided merely for illustration and should not be interpreted as limiting. It is anticipated that a number of equivalent or additional configurations may be utilized within the scope of the present invention.
- any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “connected”, or “coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “couplable”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality.
- Specific examples of couplable include but are not limited to physically interactable and/or physically interacting components and/or wire!essiy interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interactable and/or logically interacting components.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Quality & Reliability (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Investigating Materials By The Use Of Optical Means Adapted For Particular Applications (AREA)
- Testing Or Measuring Of Semiconductors Or The Like (AREA)
- Analysing Materials By The Use Of Radiation (AREA)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2018504777A JP2018523820A (ja) | 2015-07-30 | 2016-05-27 | 検査ツールへのダイナミックケアエリア生成システムおよび方法 |
KR1020187005867A KR102330738B1 (ko) | 2015-07-30 | 2016-05-27 | 검사 도구에서의 동적 관리 영역 생성을 위한 시스템 및 방법 |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201562198911P | 2015-07-30 | 2015-07-30 | |
US62/198,911 | 2015-07-30 | ||
US15/166,591 | 2016-05-27 | ||
US15/166,591 US10018571B2 (en) | 2015-05-28 | 2016-05-27 | System and method for dynamic care area generation on an inspection tool |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2017019171A1 true WO2017019171A1 (en) | 2017-02-02 |
Family
ID=57884844
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2016/034648 WO2017019171A1 (en) | 2015-07-30 | 2016-05-27 | System and method for dynamic care area generation on an inspection tool |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
JP (2) | JP2018523820A (ko) |
KR (1) | KR102330738B1 (ko) |
WO (1) | WO2017019171A1 (ko) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2021173454A1 (en) * | 2020-02-24 | 2021-09-02 | Kla Corporation | Instrumented substrate apparatus |
Families Citing this family (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11806266B2 (en) | 2014-03-19 | 2023-11-07 | Purewick Corporation | Apparatus and methods for receiving discharged urine |
US10376406B2 (en) | 2016-07-27 | 2019-08-13 | Purewick Corporation | Male urine collection device using wicking material |
CA3098571C (en) | 2018-05-01 | 2023-09-26 | Purewick Corporation | Fluid collection devices, systems, and methods |
CA3098570C (en) | 2018-05-01 | 2023-09-26 | Purewick Corporation | Fluid collection devices, related systems, and related methods |
CN113272736A (zh) * | 2018-12-31 | 2021-08-17 | Asml荷兰有限公司 | 用于过程控制的管芯内量测方法和系统 |
US12048643B2 (en) | 2020-05-27 | 2024-07-30 | Purewick Corporation | Fluid collection assemblies including at least one inflation device and methods and systems of using the same |
US11801186B2 (en) | 2020-09-10 | 2023-10-31 | Purewick Corporation | Urine storage container handle and lid accessories |
US12042423B2 (en) | 2020-10-07 | 2024-07-23 | Purewick Corporation | Fluid collection systems including at least one tensioning element |
US12048644B2 (en) | 2020-11-03 | 2024-07-30 | Purewick Corporation | Apparatus for receiving discharged urine |
US12070432B2 (en) | 2020-11-11 | 2024-08-27 | Purewick Corporation | Urine collection system including a flow meter and related methods |
AU2022211357B2 (en) | 2021-01-19 | 2024-08-01 | Purewick Corporation | Variable fit fluid collection devices, systems, and methods |
JP2023553620A (ja) | 2021-02-26 | 2023-12-25 | ピュアウィック コーポレイション | 管開口とバリアとの間に排水受けを有する流体収集装置、ならびに関連するシステムおよび方法 |
US12029677B2 (en) | 2021-04-06 | 2024-07-09 | Purewick Corporation | Fluid collection devices having a collection bag, and related systems and methods |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080167829A1 (en) * | 2007-01-05 | 2008-07-10 | Allen Park | Methods and systems for using electrical information for a device being fabricated on a wafer to perform one or more defect-related functions |
US20110187848A1 (en) * | 2008-07-28 | 2011-08-04 | Kla-Tencor Corporation | Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and systems for classifying defects detected in a memory device area on a wafer |
US20120216169A1 (en) * | 2011-02-22 | 2012-08-23 | Kla-Tencor Corporation | Design based device risk assessment |
US20140105482A1 (en) * | 2012-10-15 | 2014-04-17 | Kla-Tencor Corporation | Detecting Defects on a Wafer Using Defect-Specific Information |
US20150125065A1 (en) * | 2013-11-04 | 2015-05-07 | Kla-Tencor Corporation | Method and System for Correlating Optical Images with Scanning Electron Microscopy Images |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9355208B2 (en) | 2013-07-08 | 2016-05-31 | Kla-Tencor Corp. | Detecting defects on a wafer |
-
2016
- 2016-05-27 KR KR1020187005867A patent/KR102330738B1/ko active IP Right Grant
- 2016-05-27 JP JP2018504777A patent/JP2018523820A/ja active Pending
- 2016-05-27 WO PCT/US2016/034648 patent/WO2017019171A1/en active Application Filing
-
2021
- 2021-05-28 JP JP2021089720A patent/JP7169402B2/ja active Active
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080167829A1 (en) * | 2007-01-05 | 2008-07-10 | Allen Park | Methods and systems for using electrical information for a device being fabricated on a wafer to perform one or more defect-related functions |
US20110187848A1 (en) * | 2008-07-28 | 2011-08-04 | Kla-Tencor Corporation | Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and systems for classifying defects detected in a memory device area on a wafer |
US20120216169A1 (en) * | 2011-02-22 | 2012-08-23 | Kla-Tencor Corporation | Design based device risk assessment |
US20140105482A1 (en) * | 2012-10-15 | 2014-04-17 | Kla-Tencor Corporation | Detecting Defects on a Wafer Using Defect-Specific Information |
US20150125065A1 (en) * | 2013-11-04 | 2015-05-07 | Kla-Tencor Corporation | Method and System for Correlating Optical Images with Scanning Electron Microscopy Images |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2021173454A1 (en) * | 2020-02-24 | 2021-09-02 | Kla Corporation | Instrumented substrate apparatus |
CN115280118A (zh) * | 2020-02-24 | 2022-11-01 | 科磊股份有限公司 | 仪器化衬底设备 |
US11668601B2 (en) | 2020-02-24 | 2023-06-06 | Kla Corporation | Instrumented substrate apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2021120686A (ja) | 2021-08-19 |
KR20180025321A (ko) | 2018-03-08 |
KR102330738B1 (ko) | 2021-11-23 |
JP7169402B2 (ja) | 2022-11-10 |
JP2018523820A (ja) | 2018-08-23 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US10018571B2 (en) | System and method for dynamic care area generation on an inspection tool | |
JP7169402B2 (ja) | 検査ツールへのダイナミックケアエリア生成システムおよび方法 | |
US10535131B2 (en) | Systems and methods for region-adaptive defect detection | |
US11010886B2 (en) | Systems and methods for automatic correction of drift between inspection and design for massive pattern searching | |
KR101600209B1 (ko) | 영역 결정 장치, 검사 장치, 영역 결정 방법 및 영역 결정 방법을 사용한 검사 방법 | |
JP2017523390A (ja) | 検査のための高解像度フルダイイメージデータの使用 | |
US20240331132A1 (en) | Method and system for anomaly-based defect inspection | |
TWI683997B (zh) | 用於在檢測工具上之動態看護區域產生的系統及方法 | |
KR102201122B1 (ko) | 민감도 개선 및 뉴슨스 억제를 위해 로직 및 핫스팟 검사에서 z-층 컨텍스트를 사용하는 시스템 및 방법 | |
KR102621488B1 (ko) | Dram 및 3d nand 디바이스에 대한 디자인 지원 검사 | |
US10276346B1 (en) | Particle beam inspector with independently-controllable beams | |
JP2006227026A (ja) | パターン検査方法及びパターン検査装置 | |
KR20220153067A (ko) | 웨이퍼 검사를 위한 기준 데이터 처리 | |
TWI732803B (zh) | 用於儲存動態層內容於一設計檔案中之方法、系統及非暫時性電腦可讀媒體 | |
US20240319123A1 (en) | System and method for inspection by failure mechanism classification and identification in a charged particle system |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 16830971 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2018504777 Country of ref document: JP Kind code of ref document: A |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 20187005867 Country of ref document: KR Kind code of ref document: A |
|
122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase |
Ref document number: 16830971 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |