Contour based defect detection
First Claim
1. A system configured to detect defects in patterns formed on a specimen, comprising:
- an imaging subsystem comprising at least an energy source and a detector, wherein the energy source is configured to generate energy that is directed to a specimen, and wherein the detector is configured to detect energy from the specimen and to generate images responsive to the detected energy; and
one or more computer subsystems configured for acquiring the images of patterns formed on the specimen; and
one or more components executed by the one or more computer subsystems, wherein the one or more components comprise a first learning based model and a second learning based model, wherein the first and second learning based models are deep learning based models, wherein the first learning based model is configured for generating simulated contours for the patterns based on a design for the specimen input to the first learning based model by the one or more computer subsystems, wherein the simulated contours are expected contours of a defect free version of the patterns in the images of the specimen generated by the imaging subsystem, and wherein the second learning based model is configured for generating actual contours for the patterns in at least one of the acquired images of the patterns formed on the specimen input to the second learning based model by the one or more computer subsystems; and
wherein the one or more computer subsystems are further configured for;
comparing the actual contours to the simulated contours; and
detecting defects in the patterns formed on the specimen based on results of the comparing.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for detecting defects in patterns formed on a specimen are provided. One system includes one or more components executed by one or more computer subsystems, and the component(s) include first and second learning based models. The first learning based model generates simulated contours for the patterns based on a design for the specimen, and the simulated contours are expected contours of a defect free version of the patterns in images of the specimen generated by an imaging subsystem. The second learning based model is configured for generating actual contours for the patterns in at least one acquired image of the patterns formed on the specimen. The computer subsystem(s) are configured for comparing the actual contours to the simulated contours and detecting defects in the patterns formed on the specimen based on results of the comparing.
32 Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A system configured to detect defects in patterns formed on a specimen, comprising:
-
an imaging subsystem comprising at least an energy source and a detector, wherein the energy source is configured to generate energy that is directed to a specimen, and wherein the detector is configured to detect energy from the specimen and to generate images responsive to the detected energy; and one or more computer subsystems configured for acquiring the images of patterns formed on the specimen; and one or more components executed by the one or more computer subsystems, wherein the one or more components comprise a first learning based model and a second learning based model, wherein the first and second learning based models are deep learning based models, wherein the first learning based model is configured for generating simulated contours for the patterns based on a design for the specimen input to the first learning based model by the one or more computer subsystems, wherein the simulated contours are expected contours of a defect free version of the patterns in the images of the specimen generated by the imaging subsystem, and wherein the second learning based model is configured for generating actual contours for the patterns in at least one of the acquired images of the patterns formed on the specimen input to the second learning based model by the one or more computer subsystems; and wherein the one or more computer subsystems are further configured for; comparing the actual contours to the simulated contours; and detecting defects in the patterns formed on the specimen based on results of the comparing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, storing program instructions executable on one or more computer subsystems for performing a computer-implemented method for detecting defects in patterns formed on a specimen, wherein the computer-implemented method comprises:
-
acquiring images of patterns formed on a specimen generated by an imaging subsystem with the one or more computer subsystems, wherein the imaging subsystem comprises at least an energy source and a detector, wherein the energy source is configured to generate energy that is directed to the specimen, and wherein the detector is configured to detect energy from the specimen and to generate images responsive to the detected energy; generating simulated contours for the patterns based on a design for the specimen input to a first learning based model by the one or more computer subsystems, wherein the simulated contours are expected contours of a defect free version of the patterns in the images of the specimen generated by the imaging subsystem; generating actual contours for the patterns in at least one of the acquired images of the patterns formed on the specimen input to a second learning based model by the one or more computer subsystems, wherein one or more components are executed by the one or more computer subsystems, wherein the one or more components comprise the first and second learning based models, and wherein the first and second learning based models are deep learning based models; comparing the actual contours to the simulated contours; and detecting defects in the patterns formed on the specimen based on results of the comparing.
-
-
27. A computer-implemented method for detecting defects in patterns formed on a specimen, comprising:
-
acquiring images of patterns formed on a specimen generated by an imaging subsystem with one or more computer subsystems, wherein the imaging subsystem comprises at least an energy source and a detector, wherein the energy source is configured to generate energy that is directed to the specimen, and wherein the detector is configured to detect energy from the specimen and to generate images responsive to the detected energy; generating simulated contours for the patterns based on a design for the specimen input to a first learning based model by the one or more computer subsystems, wherein the simulated contours are expected contours of a defect free version of the patterns in the images of the specimen generated by the imaging subsystem; generating actual contours for the patterns in at least one of the acquired images of the patterns formed on the specimen input to a second learning based model by the one or more computer subsystems, wherein one or more components are executed by the one or more computer subsystems, wherein the one or more components comprise the first and second learning based models, and wherein the first and second learning based models are deep learning based models; comparing the actual contours to the simulated contours; and detecting defects in the patterns formed on the specimen based on results of the comparing.
-
Specification