Selecting a profile model for use in optical metrology using a machine learining system
First Claim
1. A method of selecting a profile model for use in examining a structure formed on a semiconductor wafer using optical metrology, the method comprising:
- a) obtaining an initial profile model having a set of profile parameters;
b) training a machine learning system using the initial profile model;
c) generating a simulated diffraction signal for an optimized profile model using the trained machine learning system, wherein the optimized profile model has a set of profile parameters with the same or fewer profile parameters than the initial profile model;
d) determining if one or more termination criteria are met; and
e) if the one or more termination criteria are not met, modifying the optimized profile model and iterating steps c) to e), wherein the same trained machine learning system is used in iterating step c).
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Abstract
A profile model can be selected for use in examining a structure formed on a semiconductor wafer using optical metrology by obtaining an initial profile model having a set of profile parameters. A machine learning system is trained using the initial profile model. A simulated diffraction signal is generated for an optimized profile model using the trained machine learning system, where the optimized profile model has a set of profile parameters with the same or fewer profile parameters than the initial profile model. A determination is made as to whether the one or more termination criteria are met. If the one or more termination criteria are met, the optimized profile model is modified and another simulated diffraction signal is generated using the same trained machine learning system.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. A method of selecting a profile model for use in examining a structure formed on a semiconductor wafer using optical metrology, the method comprising:
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a) obtaining an initial profile model having a set of profile parameters;
b) training a machine learning system using the initial profile model;
c) generating a simulated diffraction signal for an optimized profile model using the trained machine learning system, wherein the optimized profile model has a set of profile parameters with the same or fewer profile parameters than the initial profile model;
d) determining if one or more termination criteria are met; and
e) if the one or more termination criteria are not met, modifying the optimized profile model and iterating steps c) to e), wherein the same trained machine learning system is used in iterating step c). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A computer-readable storage medium containing computer executable instructions for causing a computer to select a profile model for use in examining a structure formed on a semiconductor wafer using optical metrology, comprising instructions for:
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a) obtaining an initial profile model having a set of profile parameters;
b) training a machine learning system using the initial profile model;
c) generating a simulated diffraction signal for an optimized profile model using the trained machine learning system, wherein the optimized profile model has a set of profile parameters with the same or fewer profile parameters than the initial profile model;
d) determining if one or more termination criteria are met; and
e) if the one or more termination criteria are not met, modifying the optimized profile model and iterating steps c) to e), wherein the same trained machine learning system is used in iterating step c). - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A system to select a profile model for use in examining a structure formed on a semiconductor wafer using optical metrology, the system comprising:
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an optical metrology device configured to provide a measured diffraction signal;
a first machine learning system trained using an initial profile model having a set of profile parameters, the first machine learning system configured to generate a simulated diffraction signal for an optimized profile model having a set of profile parameters with the same or fewer profile parameters than the initial profile model, wherein if one or more termination criteria are not met, the optimized profile model is modified and the first machine learning system generates another simulated diffraction signal. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification