Patent · US Expired

Metrology system using optical phase

US6710876B1 · kind B1 · utility

56Cited by
12References
52Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 14, 2000
Grant dateMar 23, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 1, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F7/70633
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Misalignment error between two periodic structures such as two overlay targets placed side-by-side is measured. The two structures are illuminated by coherent radiation and the positive and negative diffraction beams of the input beam by the two structures are detected to discover the optical phase difference between the positive and negative diffraction beams. The misalignment between the two structures may then be ascertained from the phase difference.

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