Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for direct self assembly in target design and production

US10303835B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
3References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 12, 2015
Grant dateMay 28, 2019
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 25, 2037

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/24802
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Target designs methods and targets are provided, in which at least some of the differentiation between target elements and their background is carried out by segmenting either of them. Directed self-assembly (DSA) processes are used to generate fine segmentation, and various characteristics of the polymer lines and their guiding lines are used to differentiate target elements from their background. Target designs and design principles are disclosed in relation to the DSA process, as well as optimization of the DSA process to yield high metrology measurement accuracy in face of production inaccuracies. Furthermore, designs and methods are provided for enhancing and using ordered regions of a DSA-produced polymer surface as target elements and as hard masks for production processes. The targets and methods may be configured to enable metrology measurements using polarized light to distinguish target elements or DSA features.

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