Process window optimizer
First Claim
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1. A defect determination or prediction method for a device manufacturing process involving processing a pattern onto a substrate, the method comprising:
- identifying a processing window limiting pattern from the pattern;
obtaining a measured value of a processing parameter under which the processing window limiting pattern is processed; and
determining or predicting, using the measured value of the processing parameter, or a value derived therefrom, and using a hardware-computer, an existence, probability of existence, a characteristic, or a combination thereof, of a defect produced from the processing window limiting pattern with the device manufacturing process.
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a computer-implemented defect prediction method for a device manufacturing process involving processing a pattern onto a substrate, the method comprising: identifying a processing window limiting pattern (PWLP) from the pattern; determining a processing parameter under which the PWLP is processed; and determining or predicting, using the processing parameter, existence, probability of existence, a characteristic, or a combination thereof, of a defect produced from the PWLP with the device manufacturing process.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A defect determination or prediction method for a device manufacturing process involving processing a pattern onto a substrate, the method comprising:
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identifying a processing window limiting pattern from the pattern; obtaining a measured value of a processing parameter under which the processing window limiting pattern is processed; and determining or predicting, using the measured value of the processing parameter, or a value derived therefrom, and using a hardware-computer, an existence, probability of existence, a characteristic, or a combination thereof, of a defect produced from the processing window limiting pattern with the device manufacturing process. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of manufacturing a device using a device manufacturing process involving processing a pattern onto a substrate, the method comprising:
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obtaining a measured value of a processing parameter under which a previously identified processing window limiting pattern is processed; determining or predicting, using the measured value of the processing parameter, or a value derived therefrom, an existence, probability of existence, a characteristic, or a combination thereof, of a defect produced from the processing window limiting pattern with the device manufacturing process; and indicating which one or more of a plurality of processing window limiting patterns to inspect at least partially based on the determined or predicted existence, probability of existence, characteristic, or the combination thereof, of the defect. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions recorded thereon, the instructions, when executed, are configured to cause a computer to at least:
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identify a processing window limiting pattern from the pattern; obtain a measured value of a processing parameter under which the processing window limiting pattern is processed; and determine or predict, using the measured value of the processing parameter, or a value derived therefrom, an existence, probability of existence, a characteristic, or a combination thereof, of a defect produced from the processing window limiting pattern with the device manufacturing process. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification