Detection of hard mask remaining on a surface of an insulating layer
First Claim
1. A detection system, comprising:
- means for performing a test on a semiconductor device and obtaining test data therefrom, wherein the semiconductor device includes an insulating layer, a hard mask layer on a surface of the insulating layer, and a plurality of electrically conductive lines within a trench in the insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer comprises a first dielectric material, wherein the hard mask layer comprises a second dielectric material, wherein the dielectric constant of the second dielectric material exceeds the dielectric constant of the first dielectric material or the second dielectric material comprises an element that is not comprised by the first dielectric material, and wherein the test data is a function of a spatial distribution of the hard mask layer on the surface of the insulating layer; and
means for determining from said test data a measure of said spatial distribution of the hard mask layer on the surface of the insulating layer.
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Abstract
A detection system and method including a means for performing a test on a semiconductor device and obtaining test data therefrom. The semiconductor device includes an insulating layer, a hard mask layer on a surface of the insulating layer, and a plurality of electrically conductive lines within a trench in the insulating layer. The insulating layer comprises a first dielectric material. The hard mask layer comprises a second dielectric material. The dielectric constant of the second dielectric material exceeds the dielectric constant of the first dielectric material or the second dielectric material comprises an element that is not comprised by the first dielectric material. The test data is a function of a spatial distribution of the hard mask layer on the surface of the insulating layer. The detection system and method includes a means for determining from the test data a measure of the spatial distribution of the hard mask layer on the surface of the insulating layer.
29 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A detection system, comprising:
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means for performing a test on a semiconductor device and obtaining test data therefrom, wherein the semiconductor device includes an insulating layer, a hard mask layer on a surface of the insulating layer, and a plurality of electrically conductive lines within a trench in the insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer comprises a first dielectric material, wherein the hard mask layer comprises a second dielectric material, wherein the dielectric constant of the second dielectric material exceeds the dielectric constant of the first dielectric material or the second dielectric material comprises an element that is not comprised by the first dielectric material, and wherein the test data is a function of a spatial distribution of the hard mask layer on the surface of the insulating layer; and
means for determining from said test data a measure of said spatial distribution of the hard mask layer on the surface of the insulating layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A detection method, comprising:
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performing a test on a semiconductor device and obtaining test data therefrom, wherein the semiconductor device includes an insulating layer, a hard mask layer on a surface of the insulating layer, and a plurality of electrically conductive lines within a trench in the insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer comprises a first dielectric material, wherein the hard mask layer comprises a second dielectric material, wherein the dielectric constant of the second dielectric material exceeds the dielectric constant of the first dielectric material or the second dielectric material comprises an element that is not comprised by the first dielectric material, and wherein the test data is a function of a spatial distribution of the hard mask layer on the surface of the insulating layer; and
determining from said test data a measure of said spatial distribution of the hard mask layer on the surface of the insulating layer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification