Method for selecting and optimizing exposure tool using an individual mask error model
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- selecting an optical model for an exposure tool;
selecting a second optical model for a second exposure tool;
simulating operation of the exposure tool using the optical model and an individual mask error model of a mask to produce first simulated results;
simulating operation of the second exposure tool using the second optical model and the individual mask error model to produce second simulated results;
performing a comparison of the first simulated results to a design target;
performing a comparison of the second simulated results to the design target; and
comparing performances of the exposure tool and the second exposure tool based on the comparisons,wherein the mask is physically manufactured based on the design target, and the individual mask error model is created based on an inspection of the manufactured mask.
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Abstract
Methods are disclosed for selecting and optimizing an exposure tool using an individual mask error model. In one embodiment, a method includes selecting a model of a lithography process including an optical model of an exposure tool and a resist model, creating an individual mask error model representing a mask manufactured using mask layout data, simulating the lithography process using the model of the lithography process and the individual mask error model to produce simulated patterns, determining differences between the simulated patterns and a design target, and optimizing settings of the exposure tool based on the differences between the simulated patterns and the design target.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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selecting an optical model for an exposure tool; selecting a second optical model for a second exposure tool; simulating operation of the exposure tool using the optical model and an individual mask error model of a mask to produce first simulated results; simulating operation of the second exposure tool using the second optical model and the individual mask error model to produce second simulated results; performing a comparison of the first simulated results to a design target; performing a comparison of the second simulated results to the design target; and comparing performances of the exposure tool and the second exposure tool based on the comparisons, wherein the mask is physically manufactured based on the design target, and the individual mask error model is created based on an inspection of the manufactured mask. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method comprising:
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selecting a model of a lithography process, the model including an optical model of an exposure tool and a resist model; creating an individual mask error model for a mask manufactured using mask layout data; simulating the lithography process using the model of the lithography process and the individual mask error model to produce simulated patterns; determining differences between the simulated patterns and a design target; and modifying settings of the exposure tool based on the differences between the simulated patterns and the design target. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method comprising:
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selecting a plurality of optical models for a plurality of exposure tools, each optical model representing an individual exposure tool; for each of the plurality of optical models, simulating a lithography process using the optical model and an individual mask error model for a mask to produce simulated results; and evaluating the simulated results for each of the plurality of optical models to determine which of the plurality of exposure tools performs best with the mask, wherein the mask is physically manufactured based on a design target used in the evaluating step, and the individual mask error model is created based on an inspection of the manufactured mask. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification