Patent · US Active

Method for correlating a structural parameter of a plurality of gratings and method for determining a structural parameter value of an unknown grating using the same

US7433060B2 · kind B2 · utility

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Key dates

Filing dateJun 19, 2006
Grant dateOct 7, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 8, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01B11/24
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for correlating a structural parameter of a plurality of gratings acquires images from a plurality of gratings, which have different structural parameters. A focus metrics algorithm is then performed to find the off-focus offset of the orders of each grating from the intensity variation of these images, and the variation ratio of the off-focus offset to the order for each grating is calculated later. Consequently, the structural parameters of these gratings can be correlated based on the variation ratio of the off-focus offset to the order. The present method acquires images from an unknown grating at different off-focus offsets, and performs a focus metrics algorithm to find the off-focus offset of the orders of the unknown grating. The variation ratio is calculated and the structural parameter of the unknown grating is determined based on the variation ratio.

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