Method and apparatus for determining layer thickness and composition using ellipsometric evaluation
First Claim
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1. A method for determining a composition of a layer within an integrated device, comprising:
- receiving the integrated device;
measuring properties of the layer using electromagnetic radiation;
determining an index of refraction for the layer from the measured properties; and
solving for the composition of the layer using the index of refraction.
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that determines the composition of a layer within an integrated device. The system operates by first receiving the integrated device. Next, the system measures properties of the layer using electromagnetic radiation. The properties of the layer measured are used to determine an index of refraction for the layer. The system then solves for the composition of the layer using the index of refraction.
8 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for determining a composition of a layer within an integrated device, comprising:
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receiving the integrated device;
measuring properties of the layer using electromagnetic radiation;
determining an index of refraction for the layer from the measured properties; and
solving for the composition of the layer using the index of refraction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for determining a thickness of a layer within an integrated device, comprising:
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receiving the integrated device;
measuring properties of the layer using electromagnetic radiation;
determining an index of refraction for the layer from the measured properties; and
solving for the thickness of the layer using the index of refraction. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for determining a composition of a layer within an integrated device, comprising:
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receiving the integrated device;
measuring a first set of properties and a second set of properties of the layer using electromagnetic radiation, wherein the first set of properties and the second set of properties are measured for different types or conditions of incident radiation;
modeling the first set of properties of the layer to determine a first index of refraction for the layer;
modeling the second set of properties of the layer to determine a second index of refraction for the layer;
applying the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction to index of refraction models;
repeating the steps of modeling the first set of properties, modeling the second set of properties, and applying the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction to index of refraction models until results of applying the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction to index of refraction models agree; and
solving for the composition of the layer using the index of refraction. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for determining a thickness of a layer within an integrated device, comprising:
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receiving the integrated device;
measuring a first set of properties and a second set of properties of the layer using electromagnetic radiation, wherein the first set of properties and the second set of properties are measured for different types or conditions of incident radiation;
modeling the first set of properties of the layer to determine a first index of refraction for the layer;
modeling the second set of properties of the layer to determine a second index of refraction for the layer;
applying the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction to index of refraction models;
repeating the steps of modeling the first set of properties, modeling the second set of properties, and applying the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction to index of refraction models until results of applying the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction to index of refraction models agree; and
solving for the thickness of the layer using the index of refraction. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for determining a composition of a layer within an integrated device, comprising:
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a receiving mechanism configured to receive the integrated device;
a measuring mechanism configured to measure properties of the layer using electromagnetic radiation;
a modeling mechanism configured to model the properties of the layer to determine an index of refraction for the layer; and
a solving mechanism configured to solve for the composition of the layer using the index of refraction.
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18. An apparatus for determining a thickness of a layer within an integrated device, comprising:
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a receiving mechanism configured to receive the integrated device;
a measuring mechanism configured to measure properties of the layer using electromagnetic radiation;
a modeling mechanism configured to model the properties of the layer to determine an index of refraction for the layer; and
a solving mechanism configured to solve for the thickness of the layer using the index of refraction
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19. An apparatus for determining a composition of a layer within an integrated device, comprising:
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a receiving mechanism configured to receive the integrated device;
a measuring mechanism configured to measure a first set of properties and a second set of properties of the layer using electromagnetic radiation, wherein the first set of properties and the second set of properties are measured at different conditions;
a modeling mechanism configured to model the first set of properties of the layer to determine a first index of refraction for the layer;
wherein the modeling mechanism is further configured to model the second set of properties of the layer to determine a second index of refraction for the layer;
wherein the modeling mechanism is further configured to apply the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction to index of refraction models;
a repeating mechanism configured to repeat the steps of modeling the first set of properties, modeling the second set of properties, and applying the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction to index of refraction models until results of applying the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction to index of refraction models agree; and
a solving mechanism configured to solve for the composition of the layer using the index of refraction.
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20. An apparatus for determining a thickness of a layer within an integrated device, comprising:
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a receiving mechanism configured to receive the integrated device;
a measuring mechanism configured to measure a first set of properties and a second set of properties of the layer using electromagnetic radiation, wherein the first set of properties and the second set of properties are measured at different conditions;
a modeling mechanism configured to model the first set of properties of the layer to determine a first index of refraction for the layer;
wherein the modeling mechanism is further configured to model the second set of properties of the layer to determine a second index of refraction for the layer;
wherein the modeling mechanism is further configured to apply the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction to index of refraction models;
a repeating mechanism configured to repeat the steps of modeling the first set of properties, modeling the second set of properties, and applying the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction to index of refraction models until results of applying the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction to index of refraction models agree; and
a solving mechanism configured to solve for the thickness of the layer using the index of refraction.
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Specification