Inline defect analysis for sampling and SPC
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
- receiving, with a system having an inline defect analyzer, geometric characteristics of individual defects and design data corresponding to the individual defects;
separating the individual defects into systematic defects and random defects;
calculating a criticality factor (CF) value for the individual random defects using the geometric characteristics and design data of the individual random defects;
refraining, with the system having the inline defect analyzer, from sampling the defects that are likely to be nuisance defects, wherein the individual defects are separated into systematic defects and random defects using design-based binning in which a bin size threshold is set for separating the systematic and random defects with the bin size threshold being based on a random probability of the individual defects to be located on a given structure.
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Abstract
In one embodiment, an inline defect analysis method includes receiving geometric characteristics of individual defects and design data corresponding to the individual defects, determining which of the individual defects are likely to be nuisance defects using the geometric characteristics and the corresponding design data, and refraining from sampling the defects that are likely to be nuisance defects.
66 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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receiving, with a system having an inline defect analyzer, geometric characteristics of individual defects and design data corresponding to the individual defects; separating the individual defects into systematic defects and random defects; calculating a criticality factor (CF) value for the individual random defects using the geometric characteristics and design data of the individual random defects; refraining, with the system having the inline defect analyzer, from sampling the defects that are likely to be nuisance defects, wherein the individual defects are separated into systematic defects and random defects using design-based binning in which a bin size threshold is set for separating the systematic and random defects with the bin size threshold being based on a random probability of the individual defects to be located on a given structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer-implemented system comprising:
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a design data database, to store design data for individual defects located within a design, wherein the design data includes a layout of the design on which the defect is found and routing information for the design on which the defect is found; and an inline defect analyzer, coupled to the design data database, to separate the individual defects into systematic defects and random defects;
to calculate a criticality factor (CF) value for the random defects using the geometric characteristics and design data of the random defects, wherein the individual defects are separated into systematic defects and random defects using design-based binning in which a bin size threshold is set for separating the systematic and random defects with the bin size threshold being based on a random probability of the individual defects to be located on a given structure. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer-implemented apparatus comprising:
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means for receiving geometric characteristics of individual defects and design data corresponding to the individual defects; means for separating the individual defects into systematic defects and random defects; means for calculating a criticality factor (CF) value for the individual random defects using the geometric characteristics and design data of the individual random defects; and means for refraining from sampling the defects that are likely to be nuisance defects, wherein the individual defects are separated into systematic defects and random defects using design-based binning in which a bin size threshold is set for separating the systematic and random defects with the bin size threshold being based on a random probability of the individual defects to be located on a given structure. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A computer readable non-transitory storage medium, comprising executable instructions which when executed on a processing system cause the processing system to perform a method comprising:
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receiving geometric characteristics of individual defects and design data corresponding to the individual defects; separating the individual defects into systematic defects and random defects; calculating a criticality factor (CF) value for the individual random defects using the geometric characteristics and design data of the individual random defects; and refraining, with the system having the inline defect analyzer, from sampling the defects that are likely to be nuisance defects, wherein the individual defects are separated into systematic defects and random defects using design-based binning in which a bin size threshold is set for separating the systematic and random defects with the bin size threshold being based on a random probability of the individual defects to be located on a given structure. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification