Fast photoresist model
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for modeling a pattern intended to reside in a photoresist layer on a substrate, the method comprising:
- in a computer process, forming a stimulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer;
reducing dimensions of the simulated latent acid image by one specified dimension to form a simulated latent acid image with reduced dimensions; and
determining the pattern by calculating a time-dependent development rate profile of the simulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer;
wherein the reducing dimensions includes removing dependency of the simulated latent acid image on said one specified dimension by weight-averaging of said simulated latent acid image such that a first portion of the simulated latent image located farther away from a top of the photoresist layer is weighted higher than a second portion of the simulated latent image located closer to said top.
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Abstract
A method of modeling an image intended to reside in a photoresist film on a substrate is provided. A simulated latent acid image of the image is produced, the simulated latent acid image is compressed in a predetermined direction, and developed to a pattern that enables (a) transfer of the pattern to the substrate or (b) further modeling of the pattern for transfer to the substrate.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for modeling a pattern intended to reside in a photoresist layer on a substrate, the method comprising:
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in a computer process, forming a stimulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer; reducing dimensions of the simulated latent acid image by one specified dimension to form a simulated latent acid image with reduced dimensions; and determining the pattern by calculating a time-dependent development rate profile of the simulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer; wherein the reducing dimensions includes removing dependency of the simulated latent acid image on said one specified dimension by weight-averaging of said simulated latent acid image such that a first portion of the simulated latent image located farther away from a top of the photoresist layer is weighted higher than a second portion of the simulated latent image located closer to said top. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for modeling a pattern intended to reside in a photoresist layer on a substrate as a result of a photolithography process, the method comprising:
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in a computer process, forming a stimulated latent acid image associated with the photoresist layer; reducing dimensions of the simulated latent acid image by one dimension to form a simulated latent acid image with reduced dimensions by removing a dependency of said simulated latent acid image on a parameter representing a distance along an optical axis associated with the photolithography process, wherein the stimulated latent acid image has been calculated based at least on a complex refractive index of the photoresist layer and a photoresist clearing exposure dose; modifying the stimulated latent acid image with reduced dimensions to an inhibitor concentration image associated with insolubility of the photoresist layer; and determining the pattern by calculating a time-dependent development rate profile of the simulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer, said development rate profile being independent from said parameter. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for modeling a pattern intended to reside in a photoresist layer on a substrate, the method comprising:
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in a computer process, forming a stimulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer; reducing dimensions of the simulated latent acid image by one specified dimension to form a simulated latent acid image with reduced dimensions; modifying the stimulated latent acid image with reduced dimensions to an inhibitor concentration image associated with insolubility of the photoresist layer; and determining the pattern by calculating a time-dependent development rate profile of the simulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer, said development rate profile being independent from a parameter representing a distance measured along the one specified dimension. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method for modeling a pattern intended to reside in a photoresist layer on a substrate, the method comprising:
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in a computer process, forming a stimulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer; reducing dimensions of the simulated latent acid image by one specified dimension to form a simulated latent acid image with reduced dimensions; determining the pattern by calculating a time-dependent development rate profile of the simulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer; and modifying the stimulated latent acid image with reduced dimensions to an inhibitor concentration image associated with insolubility of the photoresist layer.
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21. A method for modeling a pattern intended to reside in a photoresist layer on a substrate, the method comprising:
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in a computer process, forming a stimulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer; reducing dimensions of the simulated latent acid image by one specified dimension to form a simulated latent acid image with reduced dimensions; determining the pattern by calculating a time-dependent development rate profile of the simulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer; wherein said determining the pattern includes calculating a time-dependent development rate profile based at least on a development rate of fully exposed photoresist, a development rate of unexposed photoresist, and a threshold inhibitor concentration.
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22. A method for modeling a pattern intended to reside in a photoresist layer on a substrate, the method comprising:
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in a computer process, forming a stimulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer; reducing dimensions of the simulated latent acid image by one specified dimension to form a simulated latent acid image with reduced dimensions; determining the pattern by calculating a time-dependent development rate profile of the simulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer; and determining a geometrical extent of the pattern along the one specified dimension from the development rate profile.
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23. A method for modeling a pattern intended to reside in a photoresist layer on a substrate, the method comprising:
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in a computer process, forming a stimulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer; reducing dimensions of the simulated latent acid image by one specified dimension to form a simulated latent acid image with reduced dimensions; determining the pattern by calculating a time-dependent development rate profile of the simulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer; and calculating the stimulated latent acid image in a computer process based at least on a complex refractive index of the photoresist layer and a photoresist clearing exposure dose.
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24. A method for modeling a pattern intended to reside in a photoresist layer on a substrate, the method comprising:
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in a computer process, forming a stimulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer; reducing dimensions of the simulated latent acid image by one specified dimension to form a simulated latent acid image with reduced dimensions; determining the pattern by calculating a time-dependent development rate profile of the simulated latent acid image in the photoresist layer; wherein the determining includes determining said pattern by calculating said time-dependent development rate profile, said development rate profile being independent from a parameter representing a distance measured along the one specified dimension.
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Specification