Measurement system with separate optimized beam paths

Abstract

The subject invention relates to a broadband optical metrology system that segregates the broadband radiation into multiple sub-bands to improve overall performance. Each sub-band includes only a fraction of the original bandwidth. The optical path—the light path that connects the illuminator, the sample and the detector—of each sub-band includes a unique sub-band optical system designed to optimize the performance over the spectral range spanned by the sub-band radiation. All of the sub-band optical systems are arranged to provide small-spot illumination at the same measurement position. Optional purging of the individual sub-band optical paths further improves performance.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The subject invention relates to the field of optical metrology, particularly broadband optical metrology tools that may require a controlled ambient to eliminate the effects of atmospheric optical absorption. Specifically, the invention relates to an optical metrology instrument that includes optimized, spectrally segregated optical systems and gas purged optical paths to improve system performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the prior art there has been considerable effort expended in extending the spectral bandwidth, or wavelength range, of a broad class of optical metrology instruments. Non-contact, optical measurements are heavily utilized in the optics, optical communications and semiconductor industries. The instruments are used in the evaluation and characterization of samples that can include spatially non-uniform distributions of a broad class of materials including, insulators, semiconductors and metals; consequently, the optical properties of these samples can vary markedly with wavelength. Hence, in general, a much greater wealth of information can be extracted from broadband spectroscopic measurements than can be obtained from measurements made over a narrow spectral range. One approach to implementing broadband spectroscopic measurements is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,278,519, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] At present, leading-edge industrial lithography systems operate in the DUV over a narrow wavelength region of approximately 193 nm. State-of-the art optical metrology systems that operate over the spectral range spanning the DUV-NIR (190 nm-850 nm) characteristically employ two lamps to span this range of measurement wavelengths, a Deuterium lamp for spectroscopic measurements between 190 and 400 μm, and a Xenon lamp for measurements between 400 nm and 800 nm.

[0005] In the near future systems will operate in the vacuum ultra-violet at an exposure wavelength of 157 nm. Wavelengths in the range between 140 nm-165 nm lie within a region known as the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV), in which the high absorption coefficients of oxygen and water vapor lower the attenuation length in standard air to fractions of a millimeter. (Historically, this light could only be observed under vacuum conditions, hence the designation.) Achieving the transmission and stability necessary for optical metrology in the VUV, in a tool where the optical paths are of order 0.5-2 m requires oxygen and water concentrations in the low parts-per-million (ppm) range averaged over the entire optical path. One approach to achieving this is described in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/027385, filed Dec. 21, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference, which discloses a method for inert gas purging the optical path.

[0006] The technology extension requires that the measurement bandwidth of optical metrology tools be broadened to cover the wavelength range spanning 140-850 nm. This is a daunting challenge.

[0007] First, optical systems that spectrally segregate the illumination with diffractive elements must account for and suppress unwanted signals produced by harmonic contamination. For example, at wavelength λ a diffraction grating will produce a 1st order an intensity maximum at an angular position θ; at a wavelength λ′=λ/2 the same grating, in the 2nd order, also produces an intensity maximum at θ. Consequently, when 140 nm light impinges upon a diffractive grating in addition to the 1st order diffracted beam, there are 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th etc. diffractive orders that appear at angular positions corresponding to 1st order diffraction at 280 nm, 420 nm, 560 nm, 700 nm and 840 nm light, etc., respectively. Consequently spectrometers that use diffraction gratings to disperse the light must, at a minimum, include order-sorting, optical filters to suppress contributions from the higher orders.

[0008] Second, most common optical materials undergo solarization, structural and electronic changes to the material that occur upon exposure to VUV and DUV light. VUV and DUV exposure can significantly modify and degrade material optical properties. To avoid the adverse effect of solarization, refractive VUV optical systems must exclusively employ wide bandgap optical materials such as CaF2, MgF2, LiF, and LaF3.

[0009] Third, virtually all optical materials are dispersive; i.e. the material refractive index varies as a function of wavelength, or optical frequency. Therefore, the focal position of an individual lens will be wavelength dependent giving rise to chromatic aberration of the lens. This phenomenon complicates the design of broadband optical systems. Chromatic correction can be achieved, to a limited extent, using lenses with multiple optical elements fabricated from at least two optical materials. The general idea is to select and configure components so that there is partial cancellation of the chromatic effects, thereby increasing the useful wavelength range. The designs may be very complex and involve the use of multiple components arranged in multiple groups. The complexity of the optical design and the cost of system fabrication increase with the optical bandwidth.

[0010] Note that, to some extent, requirements two and three above are mutually exclusive. It may not be practical to provide a lens design that simultaneously exhibits good transmission in the VUV and chromatic correction over the 140 to 850 nm wavelength range. As proposed herein, one solution to this problem is to spectrally segregate the broadband light and provide multiple lens systems. Each lens operates over a limited wavelength range, or optical sub-band. The sum of the sub-bands constitutes the overall system bandwidth. Here, each lens is designed to operate over a limited wavelength range. This may permit a simpler optical design to be used in each of the sub-band lenses and provide a system architecture that provides superior broadband optical performance at reduced system cost.

[0011] Accordingly it would be desirable to provide a metrology tool architecture that permits extension of the measurement bandwidth over the spectral region spanning the VUV-NIR 140 nm-850 nm and avoids the problems associate with atmospheric absorption, chromatic aberration and harmonic contamination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The subject invention relates to a broadband optical metrology system that optimizes performance by dividing the broadband illumination into multiple sub-bands, such that each sub-band spans only a fraction of the frequency width of the original broadband spectrum. The sub-band illumination is transmitted along a unique sub-band optical path that connects the illuminator, the sample and the detector. The sub-band optical path includes a sub-band optical system that is optimized for the range of frequencies contained within the sub-band. In this fashion, a single broadband measurement constitutes multiple narrow-band measurements.

[0013] Ideally, the individual sub-band optical systems are arranged to produce small-spot illumination of the sample and are configured such that all systems illuminate the sample at the same location. In this way, the broadband information is derived from probing the same spatial region of the sample. The highest system throughput is achieved when the simultaneous measurements are made over all of the sub-bands. To circumvent the adverse effects of atmospheric optical absorption (particularly problematic in the VUV) the sub-band optical path can be purged with an optically transparent gas such as N2 or He.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIGS. 1 through 4 are schematic diagrams of a generalized optical metrology system comprising illuminator, sample, detector, processor with two light sources and two separate sub-band optical paths. Four representative arrangements of the sub-band optical systems are illustrated.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating separate light paths between the source and sample.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating separate light paths between the sample and detector.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating separate paths between the source and the detector.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a single broadband source and separate light paths between the sample and detector.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating common optical paths with separate detectors

[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention including a multiple light source ellipsometer with separate illumination sub-band optical paths and detector sub-band optical paths.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] FIGS. 1 through 6 are schematic and a highly simplified optical representation has been used to reduce the complexity of the drawings. Herein individual optical components are used to represent functional elements that may be quite complex; for example, a lens in these figures represents an optical system for collecting and focusing light—the physical embodiment of the optical system may employ multiple lenses in multiple groups.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention 10, wherein two spectrally segregated light sources 12 and 14 are used to illuminate the sample. Light source 12 emits illumination over a first spectrum. The optical path 28 traversed by light of the first spectrum includes light source 12, optical system 16, sample 20, optical system 22 and detector 24. Optical system 16 focuses a portion of the light emitted by source 12 onto sample 20 where the light interacts with and reflects from the sample. A portion of the reflected radiation is collected by optical system 22 and focused onto detector 24. Detector 24 generates output signals in response to the detected illumination and processor 26 records and analyzes those signals.

[0023] Light source 14 emits illumination over a second spectrum substantially different from the first. The optical path 30 traversed by light of the second spectrum includes light source 14, optical system 18, sample 20, optical system 22 and detector 24. Optical system 18 focuses a portion of the light emitted by source 14 onto sample 20 where the light interacts with and reflects from the sample. A portion of the reflected radiation is collected by optical system 22 and focused onto detector 24. Detector 24 generates output signals in response to the detected illumination and processor 26 records and analyzes those signals.

[0024] Note that in this arrangement the optical paths 28 and 30 in the region between sample 20 and detector 24 are substantially identical. However, those portions of optical paths 28 and 30 between source 12 and sample 20, and source 14 and sample 20 are different. The spatial separation of the light contained within the first and second spectra permits optical systems 16 and 22 to be designed to optimize performance over a limited spectral range: optical system 16 is optimized for wavelengths included within the first spectrum, optical system 18 is optimized for wavelengths included within the second spectrum.

[0025] Optical systems 16 and 18 are configured to illuminate the sample at the same location with substantially identical spot-sizes. In this way, the aberrations of both optical systems may be reduced which permits superior focusing performance and a smaller illuminated region on the sample, which, in turn, permits measurement of smaller regions of the sample and the measurement of smaller features.

[0026] The arrangement admits several variations. For example in one arrangement both light sources are broadband, e.g. light source 12 is a Xe lamp and light source 14 is a deuterium lamp. In this case optical system 16 is optimized for performance over a wavelength range spanning approximately 400-850 nm. Optical system 18 is optimized for performance over a wavelength range spanning approximately 190-400 nm.

[0027] Different optimization criteria may be employed in designing optical systems 16 and 18. For example, it may be important to insure that an identical illumination spot is used to probe the sample at all illumination wavelengths, i.e. the optical designs must minimize chromatic aberration. Generally, chromatic aberrations of optical systems increase with the range of operating wavelengths; therefore, chromatic correction is more readily accomplished over a limited wavelength range. Optical system 18 is designed to operate over a sub-band of optical frequencies spanning the wavelength range between 190 and 400 nm. Similarly, optical system 16 is designed to operate over a sub-band of optical frequencies spanning the wavelength range between 400 and 850 nm. Superior correction can be achieved over the entire range of operating wavelengths since optical systems 16 and 18 may be individually chromatically corrected over their respective sub-band frequencies.

[0028] In the present case the optimum design for optical systems 16 and 18 may be very different, with each system employing a unique set of optical elements fabricated from unique materials. For example, optical system 18 will require the use of higher quality and therefore more expensive UV compatible optical materials such as UV grade fused silica and CaF2. Optical system 16 may employ a wider variety of lower cost optical materials.

[0029] Alternatively, cost may be the most important factor governing the optical design and a given degree of chromatic aberration may be acceptable. As discussed above, chromatic correction of two individual sub-band optical systems is simpler and requires fewer optical elements than chromatic correction of a single broadband optical system that spans the entire wavelength range. Since fewer elements are required the cost is reduced.

[0030] Additionally, it may be desirable to provide superior environmental control for one of the sub-band optical systems, e.g. sub-band optical system 18 which operates over the wavelength region spanning 190-400 nm. In this case, and as illustrated in the preferred embodiments of FIGS. 3-6, it is desirable to house the optical system in an enclosure purged with inert gas. Gas purging can prevent unwanted optical absorption and mitigate against degradation of the sub-band optics due to chemical adsorption of reactive species on the optical surfaces. The concept of optimizing a sub-band optical path can include selection or design of lenses and other optical elements and/or environmental controls which can improve the performance of the system.

[0031] Lastly, although the preceding discussion has been undertaken with regard to the use of broadband sources, one or both of light sources 12 and 14 may be a laser. In this case optical systems 16 and/or 18 are optimized at the laser wavelength(s).

[0032] The arrangement of FIG. 1 may be generalized to include multiple light sources and multiple optical systems. Furthermore, it may be employed in systems that include one or more optical systems used separately or in combination including reflectometers, ellipsometers, scatterometers, and optical CD metrology tools operating as single wavelength metrology systems and broadband spectroscopic instruments.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention 40, wherein two spectrally segregated light sources 12 and 14 are used to illuminate the sample. Light source 12 emits illumination over a first spectrum and light source 14 emits illumination over a second spectrum. The optical path 28 traversed by light of the first spectrum includes light source 12, beam combiner 25, optical system 32, sample 20, optical system 34 and detector 24. The optical path 30 traversed by light of the second spectrum includes light source 14, beam combiner 25, optical system 32, sample 20, optical system 36 and detector 24.

[0034] Note that optical paths 28 and 30 are substantially coincident in the region between beam combiner 25 and sample 20 and that optical system 32 is used to provide small-spot illumination of sample 20 with light originating from both of the light sources 12 and 14. Beam combiner 25 may be a prism, a beam-splitter, a dichroic mirror, or other suitable element which functions to combine a portion of the light emitted by sources 12 and 14.

[0035] Following reflection from sample 20 light paths 28 and 30 diverge. A portion of the reflected illumination with wavelengths within the first spectrum is collected by optical system 34, and a portion of the reflected illumination with wavelengths within the second spectrum is collected by optical system 36. Optical systems 34 and 36 are separately optimized for the spectral regions spanning the first and second spectra respectively. In this way, the aberrations of both optical systems may be reduced which permits superior detection performance.

[0036] Optical systems 34 and 36 focus the collected ration onto detector 24. Detector 24 generates output signals in response to the detected illumination and processor 26 records and analyzes those signals.

[0037] The arrangement admits several variations. For example in one arrangement both light sources are broadband, e.g. light source 12 is a Xe lamp and light source 14 is a deuterium lamp. Here optical system 34 is optimized for performance over a wavelength range spanning approximately 400-850 nm. Optical system 36 is optimized for performance over a wavelength range spanning approximately 190-400 nm. In another arrangement one or both of the sources 12 and 14 may be a laser. In this case optical systems 34 and/or 36 are optimized at the laser wavelength(s).

[0038] The arrangement of FIG. 2 may be generalized to include multiple light sources and multiple optical systems. Furthermore, it may be employed in systems that include one or more optical systems used separately or in combination including reflectometers, ellipsometers, scatterometers, and optical CD metrology tools operating as single wavelength metrology systems and broadband spectroscopic instruments.

[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates an arrangement of the invention 50 that employs separate optical paths for each of the spectrally separated light sources 12 and 14. Light source 12 emits illumination over a first spectrum. The optical path 28 traversed by light of the first spectrum includes light source 12, optical system 16, sample 20, optical system 34 and detector 24. Optical system 16 focuses a portion of the light emitted by source 12 onto sample 20 where the light interacts with and reflects from the sample. A portion of the reflected radiation is collected by optical system 34 and focused onto detector 24. Detector 24 generates output signals in response to the detected illumination and processor 26 records and analyzes those signals.

[0040] Light source 14 emits illumination over a second spectrum substantially different from the first. The optical path 30 traversed by light of the second spectrum includes light source 14, optical system 18, sample 20, optical system 36 and detector 24. Optical system 18 focuses a portion of the light emitted by source 14 onto sample 20 where the light interacts with and reflects from the sample. A portion of the reflected radiation is collected by optical system 22 and focused onto detector 24. Detector 24 generates output signals in response to the detected illumination and processor 26 records and analyzes those signals.

[0041] The spatial separation of the light contained within the first and second spectra permits optical systems 16 and 22 to be designed to optimize performance over a limited spectral range: optical system 16 is optimized for wavelengths included within the first spectrum, optical system 18 is optimized for wavelengths included within the second spectrum. Optical systems 16 and 18 are configured to illuminate the sample at the same location with substantially identical spot-sizes.

[0042] In this way, the aberrations of both optical systems may be reduced which permits superior focusing performance and a smaller illuminated region on the sample, which, in turn, permits measurement of smaller regions of the sample and the measurement of smaller features. Further, optical systems 34 and 36 are separately optimized for the spectral regions spanning the first and second spectra respectively. In this way, the aberrations of both optical systems may be reduced which permits superior detection performance.

[0043] The arrangement admits several variations. For example in one arrangement both light sources are broadband, e.g. light source 12 is a Xe lamp and light source 14 is a deuterium lamp. Here optical systems 16 and 34 are optimized for performance over a wavelength range spanning approximately 400-850 nm. Optical systems 18 and 36 are optimized for performance over a wavelength range spanning approximately 190-400 nm. In another arrangement one or both of the sources 12 and 14 may be a laser. In this case optical systems 16 and/or 18 are optimized at the laser wavelength(s).

[0044] The arrangement of FIG. 3 may be generalized to include multiple light sources and multiple optical systems. Furthermore, it may be employed in systems that include one or more optical systems used separately or in combination including reflectometers, ellipsometers, scatterometers and optical CD metrology tools operating as single wavelength metrology systems and broadband spectroscopic instruments.

[0045] The separation of the light paths illustrated in FIG. 3 has further advantages. For example, one or more of the measurement systems may be maintained in a purged environment. In FIG. 3 the metrology system comprising source 14, light path 30, optical system 18, sample 20, optical system 36 and a portion of detector 24 is located within a purged region 38. In practice, region 38 may include several isolated regions and enclosures that surround the system components 14, 18, 36, and portions of 24, and beam transport tubes which surround the optical paths that connect the system components and the sample. Region 38 may be purged of atmospheric constituents using inert gas such as N2 or He permitting improvement of the system performance and extension of the operating wavelengths into the VUV spectral region, including the 157 nm wavelength (F2 laser transition) used in leading-edge optical lithography. (See the above cited copending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/027385 for discussions of purging technology.)

[0046] For VUV applications, optical systems 18 and 36 are optimized for performance over a spectral range spanning a portion of the spectral region between 140 and 190 nm and employ optical components made from VUV compatible materials selected from the group consisting of UV grade fused silica, CaF2, BaF2, LaF3, LiF, SrF2, MgF2 and fluorine doped fused silica.

[0047] The arrangement admits several variations. For example in a preferred embodiment including two broadband light sources light source 12 is a Xe lamp and light source 14 is a deuterium lamp that includes a VUV window. A separate, gas purged metrology system is used for measurement over the spectral range spanning the spectral region between 140 and 190 nm. In the spectral region between 190 and 850 nm, the remainder of the system is configured as illustrated in FIG. 1, e.g. both sources illuminate the sample, and a common path optical system 22 and detector 24 are employed.

[0048] The arrangement of FIG. 3 may be further generalized to include multiple light sources, multiple optical systems and multiple purging systems. Furthermore, it may be employed in systems that include one or more optical instruments used separately or in combination including reflectometers, ellipsometers, scatterometers, and optical CD metrology tools operating as single wavelength metrology systems and broadband spectroscopic instruments.

[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement of the invention that employs a single ultra-broadband light source 13. By ultra-broadband we mean to indicate that the light source emits illumination over a very broad spectral range including, for example, the DUV and VUV, or the DUV, visible and NIR, or the VUV, DUV, visible, and NIR.

[0050] A portion of the illumination 29 emitted by ultra-broadband light source 13 is collected by broadband optical system 32 and focused to provide small-spot illumination of sample 20. The incident illumination interacts with and reflects from sample 20. A portion of the reflected illumination is incident onto beamsplitter 31 that divides the reflected portion into two spectrally segregated optical beams 28 and 30.

[0051] The spectral segregation may be accomplished with a one or more elements selected from the group consisting of, for example, dichroic mirrors, grating, prisms or their equivalent. Beam 28 comprises a first sub-band spectrum that includes illumination with wavelengths or frequencies spanning a first portion of the original ultra-broadband spectrum. Similarly, beam 30 comprises a second sub-band spectrum that includes illumination with wavelengths or frequencies spanning a second portion of the original ultra-broadband spectrum.

[0052] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, beamsplitter 31 is a dichroic mirror, which is designed to reflect the first sub-band spectrum 28 and transmit the second sub-band spectrum 30. Illumination within the first sub-band spectrum reflects from fold-mirror 33 and is collected and focused by sub-band optical system 34 onto detector 24. Illumination within the second sub-band spectrum is transmitted through dichroic mirror 31, and collected and focused by sub-band optical system 36 onto detector 24. Detector 24 generates output signals in response to the detected illumination and processor 26 records and analyzes those signals.

[0053] The spectral segregation of the light contained within the first and second spectra permits optical systems 34 and 36 to be designed to optimize performance over a limited spectral range: optical system 34 is optimized for wavelengths included within the first spectrum, optical system 36 is optimized for wavelengths included within the second spectrum. In this way, the aberrations of both optical systems may be reduced which permits superior detection performance.

[0054] In this arrangement, the spectrally segregated light reaching detector 24 is also spatially separated. Consequently, as illustrated in FIG. 4, detector 24 could consist of two detectors: a first detector optimized for the wavelength region comprising the first sub-band spectrum and a second detector optimized for the wavelength region comprising the second sub-band spectrum.

[0055] Further, the metrology system comprising source 13, light path 29, optical system 32, sample 20, beamsplitter 31, light paths 28 and 30, fold mirror 33, optical systems 34 and 36 and a detector 24 may be located within a purged region 38. In practice, region 38 may include several isolated regions and enclosures that surround the system components 14, 18, 36, and portions of 24, and beam transport tubes which surround the optical paths that connect the system components and the sample. Region 38 may be purged of atmospheric constituents using inert gas such as N2 or He permitting improvement of the system performance and extension of the operating wavelengths into the VUV spectral region.

[0056] The arrangement of FIG. 4 may be generalized to include multiple light sources and multiple optical systems. Furthermore, it may be employed in systems that include one or more optical systems used separately or in combination including reflectometers, ellipsometers, scatterometers and optical CD metrology tools operating as single wavelength metrology systems and broadband spectroscopic instruments.

[0057] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention 60, wherein two spectrally segregated light sources 12 and 14 are used to illuminate the sample, and separate detection systems 70 and 72 are employed to detect illumination after reflection from and interaction with sample 20.

[0058] Light source 12 emits illumination over a first spectrum and light source 14 emits illumination over a second spectrum. The optical path 28 traversed by light of the first spectrum includes light source 12, beam combiner 25, optical system 32, sample 20, optical system 22, beam-splitter 31 and one, or both, of the detectors 70 and 72. The optical path 30 traversed by light of the second spectrum includes light source 14, beam combiner 25, optical system 32, sample 20, optical system 22, beam-splitter 31 and one or both, of the detectors 70 and 72.

[0059] Note that optical paths 28 and 30 are substantially coincident in the region between beam combiner 25 and beam splitter 31 and that optical system 32 is used to provide small-spot illumination of sample 20 with light originating from both of the light sources 12 and 14. Beam combiner 25 may be a prism, a beam-splitter, a dichroic mirror, or other suitable element which functions to combine a portion of the light emitted by sources 12 and 14.

[0060] Following reflection from sample 20 a portion of the reflected illumination is collected by optical system 22; the optical system is optimized over the spectral region spanning both sources 12 and 14. Optical system 22 focuses the collected illumination onto the detectors 70 and 72. Beam-splitter 31 divides the focused illumination so that each detector receives a portion of the focused illumination, and generates separate output signals in response thereto.

[0061] In FIG. 5, beam-splitter 31 is shown as a spectrally selective element. Illumination originating from light source 12 is directed along optical path 28 toward detector 70. Illumination originating from light source 14 is directed along optical 30 toward detector 72. This arrangement permits optimization of the response of each detector over a limited spectral region, thereby improving detection system performance.

[0062] One or both of detector systems 70 and 72 may be located within a N2 purged environment 38 to limit the adverse effects of temperature variation, atmospheric optical absorption, etc., and improve the temporal stability of the detector response. Processor 26 records and analyzes the detector output signals.

[0063] The arrangement admits several variations. For example in one arrangement both light sources are broadband, e.g. light source 12 is a Xe lamp and light source 14 is a deuterium lamp. Here detector 72 is optimized for performance over a wavelength range spanning approximately 400-850 nm. Detector 70 is optimized for performance over a wavelength range spanning approximately 190-400 nm.

[0064] For example, in certain applications it is advantageous to employ array detectors. In this case, detector 70 is a UV enhanced photodiode or UV enhanced CCD array. Detector 72 is a photodiode or CCD array selected to provide high sensitivity and good quantum efficiency throughout the visible and NIR. In applications requiring narrow band detectors, detectors 70 and 72 are, respectively, photomultiplier tubes with photocathode materials optimized for the UV and visible-NIR regions of the spectrum. In another arrangement one or both of the sources 12 and 14 may be a laser. In this case detectors 70 and 72 may be photodiode detectors optimized at one or more laser wavelength(s).

[0065] The arrangement of FIG. 4 may be generalized to include multiple light sources and multiple optical systems. Furthermore, it may be employed in systems that include one or more optical systems used separately or in combination including reflectometers, ellipsometers, scatterometers, and optical CD metrology tools operating as single wavelength metrology systems and broadband spectroscopic instruments.

[0066] FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a broadband spectroscopic ellipsometry system 80. Ellipsometry system 80 includes two separate measurement systems; one optimized for VUV operation, the other for operation in the UV-NIR spectral range. Detector system 24 may include separate VUV 72 and UV-VIS 70 detectors.

[0067] The VUV ellipsometer is comprised of a VUV light source 14, optical system 18, sample 20, optics system 36 and detector 72. The VUV ellipsometer is isolated from the ambient environment and maintained in a N2 purged environment 38, in order to remove optically absorbing atmospheric constituent from the optical path 30.

[0068] Optical system 18 includes condenser 56, polarizer 58, and focusing system 62 and is configured to provide small-spot illumination of the sample with polarized broadband VUV light at a measurement location. Optical system 36 includes collection optics 64, wave-plate 66 and analyzer 68 configured to collect a portion of the illumination reflected from the sample and measure the change in the illumination produced by interaction with the sample.

[0069] Detector 72 generates output signals in response to the detected illumination at a plurality of wavelengths spanning the spectral region between 140 and 190 nm. Processor 26 records and analyzes those output signals. Optical systems 18 and 36 are fabricated from VUV transparent materials and components selected from the group consisting of UV grade fused silica, CaF2, BaF2, LaF3, LiF, SrF2, MgF2 and fluorine-doped fused silica. Ideally, the VUV light source 14 is a deuterium lamp with a VUV window. In the preferred embodiment polarizer 58 and analyzer 68 are VUV grade Rochon prisms and wave-plate 66 is manufactured form MgF2.

[0070] The UV-NIR ellipsometer is comprised of a UV-NIR light source 12, optical system 16, sample 20, optics system 34 and detector 70. The UV-NIR ellipsometer is illustrated with optical path 28 maintained in the ambient environment; however, if so desired, this system may also be maintained in a N2 purged environment in order to improve the performance of the UV-NIR measurement system.

[0071] Optical system 16 includes condenser 42, polarizer 44, and focusing system 46 and is configured to provide small-spot illumination of the sample with polarized broadband UV-NIR light at a measurement location. Optical system 34 includes collection optics 48, wave-plate 52 and analyzer 54 configured to collect a portion of the illumination reflected from the sample and measure the change in the illumination produced by interaction with the sample.

[0072] Detector 70 generates output signals in response to the detected illumination at a plurality of wavelengths spanning the spectral region between 190 and 850 nm. Processor 26 records and analyzes those output signals.

[0073] Optical systems 16 and 34 are optimized for the wavelength region spanning 190-850 nm. In the preferred embodiment, the UV-NIR light source 12 includes both deuterium and Xe lamps arranged to provide broadband illumination of the sample over the wavelength range spanning 190-850 nm. In the preferred embodiment polarizer 44 and analyzer 54 are Rochon prisms.

[0074] The VUV and UV-NIR optical systems are arranged so that the measurement regions of the VUV and UV-NIR ellipsometers are substantially identical, e.g. the size and shape of the illuminated area at the measurement location and the numerical aperture of the collection systems are virtually identical in the VUV and UV-NIR.

[0075] The arrangement of FIG. 5 may be further generalized to include additional light sources and additional measurement systems that employ gas purged optical paths. Possible generalizations include systems that use one or more measurement technologies employed separately or in combination including instruments commonly known as reflectometers, ellipsometers, scatterometers, and optical CD metrology tools operating as single wave-length metrology systems and broad-band spectroscopic instruments.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating a sample with a broadband optical wafer metrology tool employing a broadband illumination system arranged to illuminate the sample with broadband light spanning a plurality of wavelengths contained within a broadband spectrum, said broadband illumination interacting with the sample and further including a detection system for collecting at least a fraction of the light after interacting with the sample, said method comprising: separating the broadband spectrum into at least two sub-bands wherein the frequency width of the sub-band is a fraction of the total frequency bandwidth; providing a unique optical sub-path along at least a portion of the optical path between the illumination system and the detection system for each sub-band, said unique optical sub-path containing a sub-band optical system configured to optimize performance over the frequency width of the sub-band; whereby, the performance of the wafer metrology tool is improved over the total frequency bandwidth.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising configuring each sub-band optical system such that all of the sub-band optical systems provide small-spot illumination of the sample at substantially the same location on the sample.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical metrology tool employs at least one metrology system selected from the group consisting of spectroscopic reflectometers, polarized beam spectroscopic reflectometers, spectroscopic ellipsometers and spectroscopic scatterometers.

4. A method for evaluating a sample with a broadband optical wafer metrology tool employing a broadband illumination system arranged to illuminate the sample with broadband light spanning a plurality of wavelengths contained within a broadband spectrum, said broadband illumination interacting with the sample and further including a detection system for collecting at least a fraction of the light after interacting with the sample, said method comprising: providing a first sub-band optical system optimized for performance in the VUV spectral region, said first sub-band optical system contained within a gas-purged first sub-band optical path, whereby said first sub-band optical system is maintained in a purged environment; and providing at least one additional sub-band optical system located within a separate optical sub-path, maintained in the ambient environment, and optimized for performance in one or more spectral regions selected from the group consisting of DUV, UV, VIS and NIR.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising configuring each sub-band optical system such that all of the sub-band optical systems provide small-spot illumination of the sample at substantially the same location on the sample.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the optical metrology tool employs at least one metrology system selected from the group consisting of spectroscopic reflectometers, polarized beam spectroscopic reflectometers, spectroscopic ellipsometers and spectroscopic scatterometers.

7. A method for evaluating a sample with an optical metrology tool employing an illumination system that includes at least two spectrally separated sources arranged to illuminate the sample, said illumination interacting with the sample and further including a detection system for collecting at least a fraction of the light after interacting with the sample, said method comprising: directing a first portion of the illumination from a first source down a first optical path containing a first optical system configured to optimize the performance over the emission spectrum of the first source; directing a second portion of the illumination from a second source down a second optical path containing a second optical system configured to optimize the performance over the emission spectrum of the second source; whereby, the performance of the optical metrology tool is improved.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising configuring said first and second sub-band optical system such that both systems provide small-spot illumination of the sample at substantially the same location on the sample.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the optical metrology tool employs at least one metrology system selected from the group consisting of reflectometers, polarized beam reflectometers, ellipsometers, scatterometers, optical CD metrology tools, spectroscopic reflectometers, polarized beam spectroscopic reflectometers, spectroscopic ellipsometers, spectroscopic scatterometers and spectroscopic optical CD metrology tools.

10. A method for evaluating a sample with an optical metrology tool employing: an illumination system arranged to illuminate the sample, at a small-spot, with broadband light, said illumination interacting with and reflecting from the sample; an optical system for collecting at least a fraction of the illumination after interacting with and reflecting from the sample; a detection system that generates output signals in response to the incident illumination; and a processor for analyzing the output signals; said method comprising: spectrally separating the collected illumination into at least two sub-bands such that the frequency width of each sub-band is a fraction of the total frequency bandwidth of the broadband illumination; directing the first sub-band of the spectrally separated illumination along a first optical path to a first detector that detects the first sub-band illumination and generates output signal in response thereto; directing the second sub-band of the spectrally segregated illumination along a second optical path to a second detector that detects the second sub-band illumination and generates output signal in response thereto, wherein the first detector is optimized to detect illumination in the first sub-band and the second detector is optimized to detect illumination in the second sub-band.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the spectral separation of the illumination is accomplished using spectrally selective optical elements selected from the group consisting of, gratings, prisms, and dichroic mirrors.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the optical metrology tool employs at least one metrology system selected from the group consisting of reflectometers, polarized beam reflectometers, ellipsometers, scatterometers, optical CD metrology tools, spectroscopic reflectometers, polarized beam spectroscopic reflectometers, spectroscopic ellipsometers, spectroscopic scatterometers and spectroscopic optical CD metrology tools.

13. An arrangement of an optical metrology tool for evaluating a sample, including an illumination system configured to illuminate the sample with a broadband spectrum of broadband light spanning a plurality of wavelengths, said broadband light interacting with the sample, and further including a detection system for collecting at least a fraction of the light after interacting with the sample, said arrangement including: means for separating the broadband spectrum into at least two sub-bands wherein the frequency width of the sub-band is a fraction of the total frequency bandwidth; a first unique sub-path for transmitting light, within frequencies contained within the first sub-band, between the illumination system and the detection system; a second unique sub-path for transmitting light, within frequencies contained within the second sub-band, between the illumination system and the detection system; each sub-path containing a sub-band optical system configured to optimize performance over the frequency width of said sub-band; whereby, the performance of the wafer metrology tool is improved over the total frequency bandwidth.

14. The arrangement of claim 13, wherein each sub-band optical system is further configured to produce small-spot illumination of the sample at substantially the same location on the sample.

15. The arrangement of claim 13, wherein the optical metrology tool employs at least one metrology system selected from the group consisting of spectroscopic reflectometers, polarized beam spectroscopic reflectometers, spectroscopic ellipsometers and spectroscopic scatterometers.

16. An arrangement of an optical metrology tool for evaluating a sample with light, including an illuminator comprised of at least two spectrally separated sources configured to illuminate and interact with the sample, further including a detection system for collecting at least a fraction of the light after interacting with the sample, said arrangement comprising: a first unique sub-path for transmitting a first portion of the light emitted by the first source between the illuminator and the detection system; a second unique sub-path for transmitting a second portion of the light emitted by the second source between the illuminator and the detection system; each sub-path containing a sub-band optical system configured to optimize performance over the spectral region spanned by each spectrally separated source; whereby, the performance of the metrology tool is improved.

17. The arrangement of claim 16, wherein each sub-band optical system is further configured to produce small-spot illumination of the sample at substantially the same location on the sample.

18. The arrangement of claim 16, wherein the optical metrology tool employs at least one metrology system selected from the group consisting of reflectometers, polarized beam reflectometers, ellipsometers, scatterometers, optical CD metrology tools, spectroscopic reflectometers, polarized beam spectroscopic reflectometers, spectroscopic ellipsometers, spectroscopic scatterometers and spectroscopic optical CD metrology tools.

19. An arrangement of an optical metrology tool for evaluating a sample with light, said arrangement including an illuminator configured to provide small-spot, broadband illumination of a sample, said illumination interacting with and reflecting from the sample, an optical system for collecting a portion of the illumination reflected from the sample, and further including a detection system, said arrangement comprising: means for spectrally separating the collected illumination into at least two sub-bands, such that the frequency width of each sub-band is a fraction of the total frequency bandwidth of the broadband illumination, and directing the first sub-band along a first optical path and directing the second sub-band along a second optical path; a first detector for detecting the first sub-band of the collected illumination; a second detector for detecting the second sub-band of the collected illumination, wherein the first detector is optimized to detect illumination in the first sub-band and the second detector is optimized to detect illumination in the second sub-band.

20. The arrangement of claim 19 further including provision for maintaining said first and second detectors in purged environments to improve the temporal stability and repeatability of the detector response.

21. The arrangement of claim 19, wherein the optical metrology tool employs at least one metrology system selected from the group consisting of reflectometers, polarized beam reflectometers, ellipsometers, scatterometers, optical CD metrology tools, spectroscopic reflectometers, polarized beam spectroscopic reflectometers, spectroscopic ellipsometers, spectroscopic scatterometers and spectroscopic optical CD metrology tools.

22. An apparatus for evaluating a sample including an illuminator for illuminating the sample with light comprising a plurality of wavelengths, said illuminating light interacting with the sample, and further including a detection system for collecting at least a fraction of the light after interacting with the sample, comprising: at least two spectrally segregated light sources selected such that each source emits light over a distinct spectral region, whereby the sum of source outputs comprises said plurality of wavelengths; an optical system for separating the plurality of wavelengths into a plurality of sub-bands such that each sub-band includes a fraction of the plurality of illumination wavelengths, said optical system forming a unique optical sub-path for each sub-band along at least one portion of the optical path between the illuminator and the detection system, said sub-path containing a sub-band optical system configured to optimize the measurement accuracy and performance at the sub-band illumination wavelengths, whereby, the performance of the wafer metrology tool is improved over the plurality of wavelengths; a detection system generating output signals in response to the light collected at said plurality of wavelengths; and, a processor for analyzing the output signals and evaluating the sample.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein each sub-band optical system is further configured to produce small-spot illumination of the sample at substantially the same location on the sample.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the optical metrology tool employs at least one metrology system selected from the group consisting of reflectometers, polarized beam reflectometers, ellipsometers, scatterometers, optical CD metrology tools, spectroscopic reflectometers, polarized beam spectroscopic reflectometers, spectroscopic ellipsometers, spectroscopic scatterometers and spectroscopic optical CD metrology tools.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the metrology tool employs a plurality of metrology systems selected from the group consisting of reflectometers, polarized beam reflectometers, ellipsometers, scatterometers, optical CD metrology tools, spectroscopic reflectometers, polarized beam spectroscopic reflectometers, spectroscopic ellipsometers, spectroscopic scatterometers and spectroscopic optical CD metrology tools, and the processor analyzes the detector outputs either individually or in combination to evaluate the sample.