Photolithographic process simulation including efficient result computation for multiple process variation values
First Claim
1. A method for simulating a photolithographic process, the method being implemented by a computing device comprising at least one processor, comprising:
- receiving a plurality of model kernels characterizing the photolithographic process, the model kernels not being dependent on a predetermined process variation associated with the photolithographic process;
receiving a plurality of parameters dependent on said process variation; and
computing with the computing device a plurality of resultant intensities for a corresponding plurality of process variation values using said parameters, a mask transmittance function, and said plurality of model kernels.
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Abstract
A method, system, and related computer program products and computer-readable numerical arrays for computer simulation of a photolithographic process is described. In one preferred embodiment, simulation of a photolithographic process is provided in which a computation time for computing each subsequent result for each subsequent combination of process variation values and/or target depths is significantly less than a computation time for computing an initial result for an initial combination of the process variation values and/or target depths. Accordingly, where computation for the initial combination requires a first time interval T, results for (N−1) subsequent combinations can be achieved such that a total time interval for the N results is substantially less than NT. Computation of a process model used for the computer simulation is also described, as well as calibration of the process model to a physical photolithographic processing system.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method for simulating a photolithographic process, the method being implemented by a computing device comprising at least one processor, comprising:
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receiving a plurality of model kernels characterizing the photolithographic process, the model kernels not being dependent on a predetermined process variation associated with the photolithographic process; receiving a plurality of parameters dependent on said process variation; and computing with the computing device a plurality of resultant intensities for a corresponding plurality of process variation values using said parameters, a mask transmittance function, and said plurality of model kernels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification