Patent · US Expired

Continuous alignment target pattern and signal processing

US4578590A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
3References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 2, 1983
Grant dateMar 25, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 2, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F9/7076
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a combination of elements for use in an alignment system for a scanning mask aligner, which include a viewing system having an optical grid, apparatus for moving the mask and wafer alignment patterns across the optical grid, each pattern having front edge portions displaced with respect to rear edge portions in the direction of scanning so that only light corresponding to a plurality of said front edge portions is transmitted through the grid at one time and only light corresponding to a plurality of the rear edge portions being transmitted through the grid at a second later period of time, the grid corresponding to the directions and spacing of the pattern so that light transmitted through the grid is strongly modulated, and circuitry responsive to the transmitted light operative to output alignment signal errors.

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