Patent · US Active

Ellipsometer and method of inspecting pattern asymmetry using the same

US9612212B1 · kind B1 · utility

2Cited by
6References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 30, 2015
Grant dateApr 4, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 30, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2201/12
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An ellipsometer includes a stage, a light source, a polarizer, a detector, and a processor. The stage is configured to support a substrate including a pattern. The light source is configured to emit illumination toward the substrate. The polarizer is configured to polarize the illumination. The detector is configured to generate, in association with a plurality of azimuthal angles, data corresponding to polarized illumination reflected from the substrate. The processor is configured to: control rotation of the stage in association with sequential inspection of the pattern at the plurality of azimuthal angles, and determine asymmetry of the pattern based on the data. Each azimuthal angle of the plurality of azimuthal angles corresponds to a different rotational state of the stage.

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