Method and apparatus for design of a metrology target
First Claim
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1. A method for a metrology process, the method comprising:
- providing a range, or a plurality of values, for respective design parameters of a metrology target for formation, as part of or for the metrology process, as a physical metrology target structure in or on a layer or underlying substrate of a physical resist-coated substrate, the design parameters defining one or more selected from;
a geometric characteristic of the metrology target, a characteristic of measurement of the metrology target, and/or a metrology target type;
by a hardware processor system comprising a memory, selecting, by sampling within the range or the plurality of values for the design parameters, a plurality of metrology target designs having one or more design parameters meeting a constraint for a design parameter of the metrology target;
simulating, by the hardware processor system, at least part of the formation and/or measurement of the plurality of metrology target designs using a model; and
storing electronic data of at least one of the simulated metrology target designs in a memory of the hardware processor system,where the at least one simulated metrology target design is configured for implementation within a physical measurement target structure, andwhere the metrology process comprises a step of physically forming the physical measurement target structure based on the stored electronic data, or information derived therefrom, or comprises a step of physically measuring the physical measurement target structure implementing the at least one simulated metrology target design.
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Abstract
A method of metrology target design is described. The method includes providing a range or a plurality of values for design parameter of a metrology target and by a processor, selecting, by solving for and/or sampling within the range or the plurality of values for the design parameters, a plurality of metrology target designs having one or more design parameters meeting a constraint for a design parameter of the metrology target.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for a metrology process, the method comprising:
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providing a range, or a plurality of values, for respective design parameters of a metrology target for formation, as part of or for the metrology process, as a physical metrology target structure in or on a layer or underlying substrate of a physical resist-coated substrate, the design parameters defining one or more selected from;
a geometric characteristic of the metrology target, a characteristic of measurement of the metrology target, and/or a metrology target type;by a hardware processor system comprising a memory, selecting, by sampling within the range or the plurality of values for the design parameters, a plurality of metrology target designs having one or more design parameters meeting a constraint for a design parameter of the metrology target; simulating, by the hardware processor system, at least part of the formation and/or measurement of the plurality of metrology target designs using a model; and storing electronic data of at least one of the simulated metrology target designs in a memory of the hardware processor system, where the at least one simulated metrology target design is configured for implementation within a physical measurement target structure, and where the metrology process comprises a step of physically forming the physical measurement target structure based on the stored electronic data, or information derived therefrom, or comprises a step of physically measuring the physical measurement target structure implementing the at least one simulated metrology target design. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a hardware computer system comprising a memory, to:
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obtain a range, or a plurality of values, for respective design parameters of a metrology target for formation, as part of or for a metrology process, as a physical metrology target structure in or on a layer or underlying substrate of a physical resist-coated substrate, the design parameters defining one or more selected from;
a geometric characteristic of the metrology target, a characteristic of measurement of the metrology target, and/or a metrology target type;select, by sampling within the range or the plurality of values for the design parameters, a plurality of metrology target designs having one or more design parameters meeting a constraint for a design parameter of the metrology target; simulate at least part of the formation and/or measurement of the plurality of metrology target designs using a model; and storing electronic data of at least one of the simulated metrology target designs in a memory of the hardware processor system, where the at least one simulated metrology target design is configured for implementation within a physical measurement target structure, and where the metrology process comprises a step of physically forming the physical measurement target structure based on the stored electronic data, or information derived therefrom, or comprises a step of physically measuring the physical measurement target structure implementing the at least one simulated metrology target design. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification