Patent · US Active

Waferless recipe optimization

US8045786B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
9References
31Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 24, 2006
Grant dateOct 25, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 29, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F7/70625
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Disclosed are apparatus and methods for optimizing a metrology tool, such as an optical or scanning electron microscope so that minimum human intervention is achievable during the optimization. In general, a set of specifications and an initial input data are initially provided for a particular target. The specifications provide limits for characteristics of images that are to be measured by the metrology tool. The metrology tool is then automatically optimized for measuring the particular target so as to meet one or more of the provided specifications without further significant human intervention with respect to the metrology tool. In one aspect, the input data provided prior to the automated optimization procedure includes a plurality of target locations and a synthetic image of the particular target.

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