The field of the invention is overlay measurements in manufacturing of semiconductor and similar devices formed from layers.
Modern semiconductor devices, such as integrated circuits, are typically fabricated from wafers of semiconductor material. The wafers are fabricated by a succession of patterned layers of semiconductor material. Circuit patterns are fabricated using a variety of long established techniques, for example, lithographic techniques.
Overlay metrology in semiconductor device fabrication is used to determine how well one printed layer is overlaid and aligned with a previously printed layer. Close alignment of each layer at all points within the device is important for reaching the design goals. It is consequently important for the efficiency of the manufacturing process that any alignment error between two patterned layers on a wafer can be measured quickly and accurately. It is similarly important to be able to measure any alignment error between successive exposures to the same layer. Misregistration between layers is referred to as overlay error. Overlay metrology tools or machines are used to measure the overlay error. This information may be fed into a closed loop system to correct the overlay error.
Current overlay metrology uses optically readable target marks or patterns printed onto layers of a substrate, typically a semiconductor wafer, during fabrication. The relative displacement of two successive layers is measured by imaging the patterns at high magnification, digitizing the images, and processing the image data using various known image analysis algorithms to quantify the overlay error. Overlay metrology techniques thus involve the direct measurement of misregistration between patterns provided in direct association with each of the layers. As semiconductor devices become progressively smaller, making accurate overlay measurements becomes increasingly difficult. It is also important that new measurement methods and systems be able to perform at the relatively high speeds achieved with existing overlay metrology technology. Use of repeated measurements is undesirable, unless they can be made without requiring significantly more time. Consequently, developing improved metrology methods and systems raises significant technical challenges.
One technique for working with increasingly smaller microelectronic devices is use of simple targets which can be reduced in size and placed within the active area of the device. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/035,652, incorporated herein by reference, describes these kinds of targets.
Targets which are small enough to be placed within the active area of devices allow measurements to be made where they are actually needed. Adoption of these targets requires that they be as small as practical and, ideally, that they can be measured with existing overlay tools. There is no single correct size for these targets. However, the smaller they are, the more likely they are to be used. Targets occupying an area of approximately 1 μm square are advantageously achieved. The “size” of the target must include any blank area around it required for proper measurement.
Current optical overlay measurement systems use visible light and operate with optical resolution of approximately 0.5-1.0 μm. These systems will generally not be able to resolve the features within the proposed targets. Although these types of systems may be changed to improve optical resolution, system changes tend to be relatively time consuming, costly and with potentially uncertain results. Consequently, changing the use and operation of existing systems to provide for accurate measurements of smaller targets would be highly advantageous.
With use of new breakthrough methods of operation and programming, existing systems can be made to accurately measure extremely small targets. It has surprisingly been discovered that there is a relationship between asymmetry and overlay error, and that overlay error can actually be determined or calculated based on asymmetry (or symmetry). As a result, the advantages of using very small in-chip targets can be achieved, while their disadvantages are reduced or eliminated. Methods are provided for determining overlay error based on measured asymmetry. The methods can be used with existing measurement tools and systems. The methods, and systems using the methods, allow for improved manufacturing of semiconductor devices and similar devices formed from layers.
In
A test reticle set was designed incorporating potential in-chip overlay measurement targets. Two sets of wafers were made with varying thicknesses of poly-silicon or SiO2 between the buried and surface patterns. This process created structures with the characteristic of films which prove challenging for the current generation of overlay tools: low contrast patterns buried beneath transparent or semi-transparent films of significant thickness. Test results show that it is possible to make accurate overlay measurements using such small targets. However, new image processing methods are needed to make these measurements.
Asymmetry in experimental optical intensity profiles from an in-chip overlay target has been observed. The asymmetry apparently results from proximity effects. Overlay offsets calculated from an asymmetric image, without specifically accounting for the proximity effect, will contain a measurement error in overlay. See R. Attota et al., Evaluation of New In-Chip and Arrayed Line Overlay Target Designs, Proceedings of the SPIE, Vol. 5375, p. 395-402, May 2004. However, as described below, overlay error can actually be determined based on measured asymmetry.
One way of performing the method is:
I. Define a region of interest (ROI) that substantially completely encloses the target or pattern being measured. The ROI should also allow for uncertainty in the location of the target after using pattern recognition. Typically this will make the ROI about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 microns wider than the design size of the target. FIGS 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D show a 2 micron cross-in-frame target. The cross-in-frame design maximizes spacing within the target. Of course, other target shapes and sizes may be used. Targets with an outer dimension of 1 micron may also be used. The ROI around the target is shown in
The following description relates to X-axis or first axis measurement. Y-axis or second axis measurement is performed in the same way, exchanging “X” for “Y”.
II. The image of the target on the detection device in the measuring system or tool changes in the direction perpendicular to measurement. This image is divided into a series of scan lines (y), each running along the direction of measurement, as shown in
III. In each scan line, designated by (y), an initial candidate center point designated by (s) is selected. The light intensity of the image across the scan line (y) is measured. The measured light intensity on one side of the center point (s) is compared to the measured light intensity at a corresponding point on the other side of the center point. A calculation is then performed indicating the degree of symmetry f(s,y) in the image within the ROI about this candidate center point (s). This procedure is then repeated for additional candidate center points on the scan line. For example, a next candidate center point may be selected by adding a positive or negative incremental value to the initial candidate center point. The candidate center point resulting in the minimum value for f(s,y) is taken as the actual center point, or the center of symmetry. The minimum value of f(s,y) is the point on the scan line having highest degree of symmetry, i.e., where the measured light intensity profile along one side of the point (s) is most similar or symmetric to the measured light intensity profile along the other side of the point (s).
Calculating symmetry can be performed in several ways. One way of performing it is from the sum of the square of the difference in intensity at all points the same distance either side of the point, via equation 1 below:
where I(x,y) is the image intensity, (s) is the center point, and the symmetry value at a point s is f(s,y).
This equation 1 is shown along with an image at one scan line (y) in
In
IV. The overlay result is proportional to the minimum value of f (s,yc) for the scan line (yc) along the center of the target, center referring to the direction perpendicular to the measurement direction. Call the minimum f(s,y) value fmin(y), and the value of fmin(yc) is fmin.
After a symmetry value for substantially each scan line is determined, they may be combined in one of several different ways, to derive a combined single symmetry value, which is used to calculate target overlay error. The symmetry values for the scan lines may be averaged or combined in other ways. As described below, one way of combining these values is via a weighted average. Another approach, instead of combining the symmetry values, is to select a minimum symmetry value from among all of the symmetry values, for use in determining overlay error.
Whichever method is used, the resulting single symmetry value is then used to determine target overlay error. The resulting single symmetry value may be used to find overlay error using a theoretical model, for example, as shown in
Another equivalent way to find overlay error is by using an experimental model, for example as shown in
The additional steps described below are helpful in providing improved precision, although they are not necessarily essential. The method, is a basic form, may be practiced without the following steps.
Measurement precision can be improved by using more than just the central scan line to form the result. The more image data used in the calculation, the better the precision. Since overlay varies along both the X and Y axes, it is not yet known which (y) scan line is at the center of the target in that direction.
V. For each scan line (y), calculate a weighting factor w(y) that is a maximum where the best information is expected to be, which may be away from the central scan line. In the method described here, this weighting factor is the maximum value of f(s,y)=fmax(y).
VI. Use the weighting factor to calculate a refined estimate for fmin:
where f(s) is the weighted average of f(s,y), ROI is the region of interest, fmax(y) is used as the weighting function, and the minimum of f(s) is proportional to the overlay error.
These steps are performed because the center of the target (xc,yc) is not yet known. If it were known, an asymmetry could be calculated using:
f(s,y)=(I(xc+s,y)−I(xc−s,y))
where I(x,y) is the image intensity. The previous definition (from page 8) of f(s,y) is signed, whereas more advantageously this new definition is unsigned. The use of an unsigned calculation for f(s,y) using the square of the differences in intensity avoids the need to find (xc,yc).
VII. Overlay is measured using fmin, which is proportional to signal intensity I. Consequently, measurement precision is improved if the result is normalized by the intensity so as to remove dependency on it. Overlay (e.g., misalignment of overlying targets on different layers) is calculated from f′min:
f′min=fmin/sum over×sum over y l(x,y)
the sum being performed for all points within the ROI.
VIII. If an unsigned symmetry function is used, then it never approaches zero if there is noise in the signal. This is shown in the upper or top trace in
Referring to
The model shown in
A system for performing the measurements as described above may include a digital camera for capturing the target image. The digital camera is typically provided with optical magnification lenses (e.g., a microscope) and linked to a computer programmed to perform the steps described above. The system may also include a light source to illuminate the target, a stage to support the substrate, and robotics or actuators to move the stage, to move targets into alignment, typically under the lens. The digital camera, if used, acquires the target image, in the form of pixels. In the example shown, one pixel corresponds to about 104 nm. Interpolation may be used to resolve the position (s) to subdivide pixels. This allows for calculations of symmetry values about a point located between pixels.
Reference to overlay here means overlay error or overlay offset, e.g., the difference in position or misalignment of a target on one layer with another underlying target on another layer. Reference here to a step performed on each or substantially each scan line, or other parameter, means that one or more scan lines or other parameters may be skipped, within the scope of the invention. Reference here to a minimum value also includes a maximum value, and vice versa, since various equivalent calculations may be used interchanging maximums and minimums. The terms maximum and minimum here also include near maximum and minimum values, as benefits of the invention may be obtained even when practiced in a less effective form. The systems and methods described are useful in manufacturing a wide array of micro-scale devices formed in layers. These include microelectronic semiconductor devices, and also micro-mechanical, micro-electromechanical, and micro-optical devices, thin film devices, memory devices, etc. Various changes, substitutions and modifications can of course be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention, therefore should not be limited only to the specific examples and descriptions provided above. Rather, the invention includes the full range of equivalents of the elements and steps described and shown.
This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/656,662 filed Feb. 25, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4149085 | Davis et al. | Apr 1979 | A |
5504999 | Barr | Apr 1996 | A |
5958632 | Sekiguchi | Sep 1999 | A |
6022650 | Sogawa | Feb 2000 | A |
6077756 | Lin et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6083807 | Hsu | Jul 2000 | A |
6462818 | Bareket | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6486954 | Mieher et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6536130 | Wu et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6571485 | Yu et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6636311 | Ina et al. | Oct 2003 | B1 |
6734971 | Smith et al. | May 2004 | B2 |
6788393 | Inoue | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6916585 | Sreenivasan et al. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
7084427 | Argandona et al. | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7160657 | Smith et al. | Jan 2007 | B2 |
20020063856 | Inoue | May 2002 | A1 |
20030027065 | Fujimoto | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030077527 | Ausschnitt et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030095267 | Mieher et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
20030156750 | Dajee et al. | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20040004726 | Sezginer et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040032581 | Nikoonahad et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040038455 | Seligson et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040063009 | Phan et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040066963 | Hechtl et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040126004 | Kikuchi | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20050195398 | Adel et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050208683 | Chen | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050264783 | Smith et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060115751 | Fay et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060151890 | Smith et al. | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060197950 | Smith et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
06-216206 | Aug 1994 | JP |
WO 0129618 | Apr 2001 | WO |
WO 0198835 | Dec 2001 | WO |
WO 0199150 | Dec 2001 | WO |
WO 2004049072 | Jun 2004 | WO |
WO-2006044320 | Apr 2006 | WO |
WO-2006044320 | Apr 2006 | WO |
WO-2006093722 | Sep 2006 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20060197950 A1 | Sep 2006 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60656662 | Feb 2005 | US |