Patent · US Active

Simulating near field image in optical lithography

US10209615B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
6References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 26, 2017
Grant dateFeb 19, 2019
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 26, 2037

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F1/36
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for determining near field images for optical lithography include receiving a thin mask image indicative of a photomask feature, in which the thin mask image is determined without considering a mask topography effect associated with the photomask feature, and determining a near field image from the thin mask image by a processor using an artificial neural network (ANN), in which the ANN uses the thin mask image as input. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory configured to store instructions executed by the processor to perform the method.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.