Inspection Apparatus, Inspection Method and Manufacturing Method

• US 20170031246A1
• Filed: 07/22/2016
• Published: 02/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ASML Netherlands BV (ASML Holding NV)
• Original Assignee: ASML Netherlands BV (ASML Holding NV)
• Inventors: DEN BOEF, Arie Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US15/216,998
• Publication Number:
  US 20170031246A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/272 using photoelectric detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/4788 Diffraction for sizing particles G01N15/0205
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/06113 Coherent sources; lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 7/70133 Measurement of illumination distribution, in pupil plane or field plane
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 7/70625 Dimensions, e.g. line width, critical dimension [CD], profile, sidewall angle or edge roughness
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 7/70633 Overlay, i.e. relative alignment between patterns printed by separate exposures in different layers, or in the same layer in multiple exposures or stitching

Abstract

An inspection apparatus is provided for measuring properties of a non-periodic product structure (500′). A radiation source (402) and an image detector (408) provide a spot (S) of radiation on the product structure. The radiation is spatially coherent and has a wavelength less than 50 nm, for example in the range 12-16 nm or 1-2 nm. The image detector is arranged to capture at least one diffraction pattern (606) formed by said radiation after scattering by the product structure. A processor receives the captured pattern and also reference data (612) describing assumed structural features of the product structure. The process uses coherent diffraction imaging (614) to calculate a 3-D image of the structure using the captured diffraction pattern(s) and the reference data. The coherent diffraction imaging may be for example ankylography or ptychography. The calculated image deviates from the nominal structure, and reveals properties such as CD, overlay.

Claims

1. An inspection apparatus for measuring properties of a product structure, the apparatus comprising:

a radiation source;

an illumination optical system; and

an image detector in combination with the illumination optical system,

wherein the radiation source and the illumination optical system are arranged to provide a spot of radiation on the product structure, the radiation having a wavelength less than 50 nm,

wherein the image detector is arranged to capture at least one diffraction pattern formed by said radiation after scattering by the product structure, and

wherein the inspection apparatus further comprises a processor arranged (i) to receive image data representing said captured diffraction pattern, (ii) to receive reference data describing assumed structural features of the product structure and (iii) to calculate from the image data and the reference data one or more properties of the product structure.

2. The inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reference data specifies a plurality of sets of features present in a plurality of layers of the product structure.

3. The inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reference data specifies nominal dimensions of one or more features in the product structure.

4. The inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the calculated properties include a linewidth of features in one or more arrays of features forming the product structure.

5. The inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the calculated properties include a positional deviation between a feature of the product structure and a corresponding feature in the nominal structure.

6. The inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said calculated properties include an overlay error between features in a first pattern and features in a second pattern in the product structure.

7. The inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said radiation source comprises a higher harmonic generator and a pump laser.

8. The inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a wavelength selector for selecting a wavelength of said radiation.

9. The inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radiation source and the illumination optical system are arranged to provide the radiation having a wavelength in the range 1 nm to 20 nm.

10. The inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said illumination optical system is operable to deliver said spot of radiation with a diameter less than 15 μ

m.

11. A method of measuring properties of a product structure, the method comprising the steps:

providing a spot of radiation on the product structure, the radiation having a wavelength less than 50 nm;

capturing at least one diffraction pattern formed by said radiation after scattering by the product structure;

receiving reference data describing assumed structural features of the product structure; and

calculating from the image data and the reference data one or more properties of the product structure.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said reference data specifies a plurality of sets of features present in a plurality of layers of the product structure.

13. The method claimed in claim 11, wherein said reference data specifies nominal dimensions of one or more features in the product structure.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the calculated properties include a linewidth of features in one or more arrays of features forming the product structure.

15. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the calculated properties include a positional deviation between a feature of the product structure and a corresponding feature in the nominal structure.

16. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said calculated properties include an overlay error between features in a first pattern and features in a second pattern in the product structure.

17. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said radiation is generated by a source comprising a higher harmonic generator and a pump laser.

18. The method as claimed in claim 11, including selecting a wavelength of the provided radiation from a range of wavelengths generated by the source.

19. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the provided radiation has a wavelength less than 20 nm.

20. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said spot of radiation has a diameter less than 15 μ

m.

21. A method of manufacturing devices, comprising

forming device features and metrology targets on a series of substrates by a lithographic process,

measuring properties of the metrology targets on one or more processed substrates using comprising:

providing a spot of radiation, the radiation having a wavelength less than 50 nm;

capturing at least one diffraction pattern formed by said radiation after scattering;

receiving reference data describing assumed structural features; and

calculating from the image data and the reference data the properties; and

adjusting parameters of the lithographic process for the processing of further substrates based on the measured properties.

22. A computer program product containing one or more sequences of machine-readable instructions for implementing method of measuring properties of a product structure, the method including operations comprising:

providing a spot of radiation on the product structure, the radiation having a wavelength less than 50 nm;

capturing at least one diffraction pattern formed by said radiation after scattering by the product structure;

receiving reference data describing assumed structural features of the product structure; and

calculating from the image data and the reference data one or more properties of the product structure.

23. (canceled)