Optical metrology model optimization based on goals
First Claim
1. A method of evaluating optimization of an optical metrology model for use in measuring a wafer structure, the method comprising:
- a) developing an optical metrology model, the optical metrology model having metrology model variables, which includes profile model parameters of a profile model;
b) selecting one or more goals for metrology model optimization;
c) selecting one or more profile model parameters to be used in evaluating the one or more selected goals;
d) selecting one or more metrology model variables to be set to fixed values;
e) setting the one or more selected metrology model variables to fixed values;
f) setting one or more termination criteria for the one or more selected goals;
g) optimizing the optical metrology model using the fixed values for the one or more selected metrology model variables;
h) obtaining measurements for the one or more selected profile model parameters using the optimized optical metrology model; and
i) determining if the one or more termination criteria are met by the obtained measurements.
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Abstract
The optimization of an optical metrology model for use in measuring a wafer structure is evaluated. An optical metrology model having metrology model variables, which includes profile model parameters of a profile model, is developed. One or more goals for metrology model optimization are selected. One or more profile model parameters to be used in evaluating the one or more selected goals are selected. One or more metrology model variables to be set to fixed values are selected. One or more selected metrology model variables are set to fixed values. One or more termination criteria for the one or more selected goals are set. The optical metrology model is optimized using the fixed values for the one or more selected metrology model variables. Measurements for the one or more selected profile model parameters are obtained using the optimized optical metrology model. A determination is then made as to whether the one or more termination criteria are met by the obtained measurements.
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Citations
55 Claims
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1. A method of evaluating optimization of an optical metrology model for use in measuring a wafer structure, the method comprising:
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a) developing an optical metrology model, the optical metrology model having metrology model variables, which includes profile model parameters of a profile model;
b) selecting one or more goals for metrology model optimization;
c) selecting one or more profile model parameters to be used in evaluating the one or more selected goals;
d) selecting one or more metrology model variables to be set to fixed values;
e) setting the one or more selected metrology model variables to fixed values;
f) setting one or more termination criteria for the one or more selected goals;
g) optimizing the optical metrology model using the fixed values for the one or more selected metrology model variables;
h) obtaining measurements for the one or more selected profile model parameters using the optimized optical metrology model; and
i) determining if the one or more termination criteria are met by the obtained measurements. - 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, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of evaluating optimization of an optical metrology model for use in measuring a wafer structure, the method comprising:
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a) developing an initial optical metrology model;
b) selecting one or more goals for metrology model optimization;
c) optimizing the initial optical metrology model to obtain a first optimized optical metrology model using a first metrology device assumption that includes one or more characteristics of a first metrology device that can be used to measure the wafer structure;
d) optimizing the initial optical metrology model to obtain at least a second optimized optical metrology model using a second metrology device assumption that includes one or more characteristics of a second metrology device that can be used to measure the wafer structure, wherein the first and second metrology device assumptions differ; and
e) selecting a preferred metrology device based on the first and at least second optimized optical metrology models and the one or more selected goals. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method of evaluating optimization of an optical metrology model for use in measuring a wafer structure, the method comprising:
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a) developing an optical metrology model having one or more optical metrology variables related to metrology devices;
b) selecting one or more goals for metrology model optimization;
c) selecting one or more of the metrology model variables related to optical metrology devices;
d) optimizing the optical metrology model with the one or more selected metrology model variables related to optical metrology devices allowed to float over a range of values; and
e) selecting a metrology device based on optimized values of the one or more selected metrology model variables obtained from the optimized optical metrology model. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
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42. A system for evaluating optimization of an optical metrology model for use in measuring wafer structures, the system comprising:
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a model preprocessor configured to develop an optical metrology model having metrology model variables, which includes profile parameters of a profile model;
a metrology model optimizer configured to optimize the optical metrology model using fixed values for one or more selected metrology model variables of the optical metrology model;
a first metrology device configured to measure one or more selected profile model parameters using the optimized optical metrology model; and
a comparator configured to determine if one or more termination criteria are met by the measurements obtained using the first metrology device, wherein the one or more termination criteria include one or more goals for metrology model optimization. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A computer-readable storage medium containing computer executable instructions for causing a computer to optimize an optical metrology model for use in measuring a wafer structure, comprising instructions for:
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a) developing an optical metrology model, the optical metrology model having metrology model variables, which includes profile model parameters of a profile model;
b) selecting one or more goals for metrology model optimization;
c) selecting one or more profile model parameters to be used in evaluating the one or more selected goals;
d) selecting one or more metrology model variables to be set to fixed values;
e) setting the one or more selected metrology model variables to fixed values;
f) setting one or more termination criteria for the one or more selected goals;
g) optimizing the optical metrology model using the fixed values for the one or more selected metrology model variables;
h) obtaining measurements for the one or more selected profile model parameters using the optimized optical metrology model; and
i) determining if the one or more termination criteria are met by the obtained measurements.
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54. A computer-readable storage medium containing computer executable instructions for causing a computer to optimize an optical metrology model for use in measuring a wafer structure, comprising instructions for:
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a) developing an initial optical metrology model;
b) selecting one or more goals for metrology model optimization;
c) optimizing the initial optical metrology model to obtain a first optimized optical metrology model using a first metrology device assumption that includes one or more characteristics of a first metrology device that can be used to measure the wafer structure;
d) optimizing the initial optical metrology model to obtain at least a second optimized optical metrology model using a second metrology device assumption that includes one or more characteristics of a second metrology device that can be used to measure the wafer structure, wherein the first and second metrology device assumptions differ; and
e) selecting a preferred metrology device based on the first and at least second optimized optical metrology models and the one or more selected goals.
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55. A computer-readable storage medium containing computer executable instructions for causing a computer to optimize an optical metrology model for use in measuring a wafer structure, comprising instructions for:
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a) developing an optical metrology model having one or more optical metrology variables related to metrology devices;
b) selecting one or more goals for metrology model optimization;
c) selecting one or more of the metrology model variables related to optical metrology devices;
d) optimizing the optical metrology model with the one or more selected metrology model variables related to optical metrology devices allowed to float over a range of values; and
e) selecting a metrology device based on optimized values of the one or more selected metrology model variables obtained from the optimized optical metrology model.
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Specification