Patent · US Active

Monitoring a photolithographic process using a scatterometry target

US7760360B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
4References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 18, 2007
Grant dateJul 20, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 14, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L22/34
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method is provided for monitoring a photolithographic process in which a substrate is patterned to form (i) a scatterometry target having a plurality of parallel elongated features, and desirably, (ii) other features each having at least one of a microelectronic function or a micro-electromechanical function. Desirably, each elongated feature of the scatterometry target has a length in a lengthwise direction and a plurality of stress-relief features disposed at a plurality of positions along the length of each elongated feature. A return signal is detected in response to illumination of the scatterometry target. The return signal can be used to determine a result of the photolithographic process.

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