Integration of lithography apparatus and mask optimization process with multiple patterning process
First Claim
1. A method of splitting a pattern to be imaged onto a substrate via a lithographic process into sub-patterns, wherein the method is implemented by a computer, the method comprising:
- selecting representative clips for two or more sub-patterns into which the pattern can be split, the selection being settings of the lithographic apparatus and estimated imaging quality of each of the sub-patterns;
optimizing two or more optical settings for illumination from a lithographic apparatus used for the lithographic process, each optical setting being dynamically optimized for respectively imaging the two or more sub-patterns based on analysis of the representative clips; and
splitting, by the computer, the pattern into the two or more sub-patterns, the sub-patterns each comprising a subset of features from the pattern, the splitting step including co-optimizing the estimated imaging quality of each of the sub-patterns for the respective optimized optical settings.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to lithographic apparatuses and processes, and more particularly to multiple patterning lithography for printing target patterns beyond the limits of resolution of the lithographic apparatus. A method of splitting a pattern to be imaged onto a substrate via a lithographic process into a plurality of sub-patterns is disclosed, wherein the method comprises a splitting step being configured to be aware of requirements of a co-optimization between at least one of the sub-patterns and an optical setting of the lithography apparatus used for the lithographic process. Device characteristic optimization techniques, including intelligent pattern selection based on diffraction signature analysis, may be integrated into the multiple patterning process flow.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of splitting a pattern to be imaged onto a substrate via a lithographic process into sub-patterns, wherein the method is implemented by a computer, the method comprising:
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selecting representative clips for two or more sub-patterns into which the pattern can be split, the selection being settings of the lithographic apparatus and estimated imaging quality of each of the sub-patterns; optimizing two or more optical settings for illumination from a lithographic apparatus used for the lithographic process, each optical setting being dynamically optimized for respectively imaging the two or more sub-patterns based on analysis of the representative clips; and splitting, by the computer, the pattern into the two or more sub-patterns, the sub-patterns each comprising a subset of features from the pattern, the splitting step including co-optimizing the estimated imaging quality of each of the sub-patterns for the respective optimized optical settings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method implemented by a computer, comprising:
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identifying a design layout, the design layout comprising a full set of features for a layer of an integrated circuit; selecting a representative set of clips from the design layout, the selection being based on requirements for co-optimizin both of optical settings of the lithographic apparatus and estimated imaging quality of each of the sub-patterns; splitting the representative set of clips into two or more sub-layouts; optimizing, using the computer, respective source configurations, each source configuration being dynamically optimized for respectively imaging the sub-layouts comprising the representative set of clips; and co-optimizing the design layout by splitting the design layout into two or more sub-patterns for being imaged using the optimized respective source configurations, such that an estimated imaging quality for imaging the sub-patterns is optimized. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification