Discrete source mask optimization
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- generating, by a computer device, an initial discrete pupil profile from a desired non-discrete pupil profile designed for imaging a portion of a design layout onto a substrate using a lithographic projection apparatus;
selecting, using the computer device, a discrete change to the discrete pupil profile;
applying, by the computer device, the selected discrete change to the discrete pupil profile; and
generating electronic instructions, based on the discrete profile to which the selected discrete change has been applied, for use in configuring an optical component of, or for, a lithographic projection apparatus illumination system.
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Abstract
A method for improving a lithographic process for imaging a portion of a design layout onto a substrate using a lithographic projection apparatus, the method including: calculating a discrete pupil profile based on a desired pupil profile; selecting a discrete change to the discrete pupil profile; and applying the selected discrete change to the discrete pupil profile. The methods according to various embodiments disclosed herein may reduce the computational cost of discrete optimization from O(an) to O(n) wherein a is constant and n is the number of knobs that can generate discrete change in the pupil profile.
20 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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generating, by a computer device, an initial discrete pupil profile from a desired non-discrete pupil profile designed for imaging a portion of a design layout onto a substrate using a lithographic projection apparatus; selecting, using the computer device, a discrete change to the discrete pupil profile; applying, by the computer device, the selected discrete change to the discrete pupil profile; and generating electronic instructions, based on the discrete profile to which the selected discrete change has been applied, for use in configuring an optical component of, or for, a lithographic projection apparatus illumination system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions recorded thereon, the instructions, when executed by a computer system, configured to at least:
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generate an initial discrete pupil profile from a desired non-discrete pupil profile designed for imaging a portion of a design layout onto a substrate using a lithographic projection apparatus; select a discrete change to the discrete pupil profile; apply the selected discrete change to the discrete pupil profile; and generate electronic instructions, based on the discrete profile to which the selected discrete change has been applied, for use in configuring an optical component of, or for, a lithographic projection apparatus illumination system.
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20. A method comprising:
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executing, on a hardware processor of a computer system, one or more computer program modules that cause; generation, by the computer system, of an initial discrete pupil profile from a desired non-discrete pupil profile designed for imaging a portion of a design layout onto a substrate using a lithographic projection apparatus, selection, using the computer system, of a discrete change to the discrete pupil profile, and application, by the computer system, of the selected discrete change to the discrete pupil profile; and displaying, on an electronic display communicatively linked with the processor of the computer system, the discrete pupil profile.
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21. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions recorded thereon, the instructions, when executed by a computer system, configured to at least:
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generate an initial discrete pupil profile from a desired non-discrete pupil profile designed for imaging a portion of a design layout onto a substrate using a lithographic projection apparatus; select a discrete change to the discrete pupil profile; apply the selected discrete change to the discrete pupil profile; and display, on an electronic display communicatively linked with the computer system, the discrete pupil profile to which the selected discrete change has been applied.
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Specification