Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for detecting processing faults using scatterometry measurements

US6639663B1 · kind B1 · utility

16Cited by
17References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 23, 2001
Grant dateOct 28, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 12, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N21/9501
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for characterizing a misprocessed wafer includes providing a wafer having a grating structure; illuminating at least a portion of the grating structure; measuring light reflected from the grating structure to generate a reflection profile; and characterizing a misprocessed condition of the wafer based on the reflection profile. A metrology tool adapted to receive a wafer having a grating structure includes a light source, a detector, and a data processing unit. The light source is adapted to illuminate at least a portion of the grating structure. The detector is adapted to measure light reflected from the grating structure to generate a reflection profile. The data processing unit is adapted to characterize a misprocessed condition of the wafer based on the reflection profile.

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