Method, program product and apparatus for model based geometry decomposition for use in a multiple exposure process
First Claim
1. A method of decomposing a target pattern having features to be imaged on a substrate so as to allow said features to be imaged in a multi-exposure process, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) segmenting a plurality of said features into a plurality of polygons;
(b) determining the image log slope (ILS) value for each of said plurality of polygons;
(c) determining the polygon having the minimum ILS value, and defining a mask containing said polygon;
(d) convolving said mask defined in step (c) with an eigen function of a transmission cross coefficient so as to generate a first interference map, said transmission cross coefficient defining an illumination system; and
(e) assigning a phase to said polygons based on the value of the first interference map at a location respectively corresponding to said polygons, said phase defining which exposure in said multi-exposure process said polygons are assigned.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of decomposing a target pattern having features to be imaged on a substrate so as to allow said features to be imaged in a multi-exposure process. The method includes the steps of: (a) segmenting a plurality of the features into a plurality of polygons; (b) determining the image log slope (ILS) value for each of the plurality of polygons; (c) determining the polygon having the minimum ILS value, and defining a mask containing the polygon; (d) convolving the mask defined in step (c) with an eigen function of a transmission cross coefficient so as to generate an interference map, where the transmission cross coefficient defines the illumination system to be utilized to image the target pattern; and (e) assigning a phase to the polygon based on the value of the interference map at a location corresponding to the polygon, where the phase defines which exposure in said multi-exposure process the polygon is assigned.
47 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of decomposing a target pattern having features to be imaged on a substrate so as to allow said features to be imaged in a multi-exposure process, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) segmenting a plurality of said features into a plurality of polygons; (b) determining the image log slope (ILS) value for each of said plurality of polygons; (c) determining the polygon having the minimum ILS value, and defining a mask containing said polygon; (d) convolving said mask defined in step (c) with an eigen function of a transmission cross coefficient so as to generate a first interference map, said transmission cross coefficient defining an illumination system; and (e) assigning a phase to said polygons based on the value of the first interference map at a location respectively corresponding to said polygons, said phase defining which exposure in said multi-exposure process said polygons are assigned. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 17)
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7. A computer program product for controlling a computer comprising a recording medium readable by the computer, means recorded on the recording medium for directing the computer to decompose a target pattern having features to be imaged on a substrate so as to allow said features to be imaged in a multi-exposure process, the process comprising the steps of:
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(a) segmenting a plurality of said features into a plurality of polygons; (b) determining the image log slope (ILS) value for each of said plurality of polygons; (c) determining the polygon having the minimum ILS value, and defining a mask containing said polygon; (d) convolving said mask defined in step (c) with an eigen function of a transmission cross coefficient so as to generate a first interference map, said transmission cross coefficient defining an illumination system; and (e) assigning a phase to said polygons based on the value of the first interference map at a location respectively corresponding to said polygons, said phase defining which exposure in said multi-exposure process said polygons are assigned. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A device manufacturing method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a substrate that is at least partially covered by a layer of radiation-sensitive material; (b) providing a projection beam of radiation using an imaging system; (c) using a pattern on a mask to endow the projection beam with a pattern in its cross-section; (d) projecting the patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of the layer of radiation-sensitive material, wherein, in step (c), said mask is formed by a method comprising the steps of; (e) segmenting a plurality of said features into a plurality of polygons; (f) determining the image log slope (ILS) value for each of said plurality of polygons; (g) determining the polygon having the minimum ILS value, and defining a mask containing said polygon; (h) convolving said mask defined in step (g) with an eigen function of a transmission cross coefficient so as to generate a first interference map, said transmission cross coefficient defining an illumination system; and (i) assigning a phase to said polygons based on the value of the first interference map at a location respectively corresponding to said polygons, said phase defining which exposure in said multi-exposure process said polygons are assigned.
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14. A method of decomposing a target pattern having features to be imaged on a substrate so as to allow said features to be imaged in a multi-exposure process, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) segmenting a plurality of said features into a plurality of polygons; and (b) assigning a phase or color to said polygons based on the value of an interference map at a location respectively corresponding to said polygons, said phase or color defining which exposure in said multi-exposure process said polygons are assigned. - View Dependent Claims (15, 18)
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16. A method of decomposing a target pattern having features to be imaged on a substrate so as to allow said features to be imaged in a multi-exposure process, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) segmenting a plurality of said features into a plurality of polygons; and (b) assigning a phase or color to said polygons based on the result of a convolution of a mask representing said polygons with an eigen function of a transmission cross coefficient, said transmission cross coefficient defining an illumination system. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method of imaging a wafer comprising the steps of:
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(a) segmenting a plurality of features to be imaged into a plurality of polygons; and (b) assigning a phase or color to said polygons based on the value of an interference map at a location respectively corresponding to said polygons, said phase or color defining which exposure in a multi-exposure process said polygons are assigned. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A method of imaging a wafer comprising the steps of:
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(a) segmenting a plurality of features to be imaged into a plurality of polygons; and (b) assigning a phase or color to said polygons based on the result of a convolution of a mask representing said polygons with an eigen function of a transmission cross coefficient, said transmission cross coefficient defining an illumination system.
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23. A computer program product for controlling a computer comprising a recording medium readable by the computer, means recorded on the recording medium for directing the computer to decompose a target pattern having features to be imaged on a substrate so as to allow said features to be imaged in a multi-exposure process, the process comprising the steps of:
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(a) segmenting a plurality of said features into a plurality of polygons; and (b) assigning a phase or color to said polygons based on the value of an interference map at a location respectively corresponding to said polygons, said phase or color defining which exposure in said multi-exposure process said polygons are assigned. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A computer program product for controlling a computer comprising a recording medium readable by the computer, means recorded on the recording medium for directing the computer to decompose a target pattern having features to be imaged on a substrate so as to allow said features to be imaged in a multi-exposure process, the process comprising the steps of:
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(a) segmenting a plurality of said features into a plurality of polygons; and (b) assigning a phase or color to said polygons based on the result of a convolution of a mask representing said polygons with an eigen function of a transmission cross coefficient, said transmission cross coefficient defining an illumination system.
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Specification