Patent · US Active

Method for measuring dimensions and optical system using the same

US7619753B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
4References
20Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateAug 19, 2006
Grant dateNov 17, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 21, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01B9/04
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method of measuring dimensions for an optical system to measure the critical dimension of a sample object according to this aspect of the present invention includes the steps of preparing a plurality of standard objects, selecting a predetermined focus metric algorithm, performing an analyzing process on each standard object to generate a plurality of focus metric distributions using the predetermined focus metric algorithm, analyzing the focus metric distributions to determine a target order, generating a reference relation, acquiring a measured characteristic value from the sample object, and determining the critical dimension of the sample object based on the measured characteristic value and the reference relation. Each standard object has a grating-shaped standard pattern with a predetermined pitch and line width. The focus metric algorithm is a gradient energy method, a Laplacian method, a standard deviation method, or a contrast method.

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