The Limits and Extensibility of Optical Patterned Defect Inspection

Published

April 1, 2010

Author(s)

Richard M. Silver, Bryan M. Barnes, Martin Y. Sohn, Richard Quintanilha, Hui Zhou, Chris Deeb, Mark Johnson, Milton Goodwin, Dilip Patel

Abstract

New techniques recently developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology using bright field optical tools are applied to signal-based defect analysis of features with dimensions well below the measurement wavelength. A key to this approach is engineering the illumination as a function of angle and analysis of the entire scattered field. In this paper we demonstrate advantages using this approach for die-to-die defect detection metrology. This methodology, scatterfield optical microscopy (SOM), has been evaluated in this paper for applications in defect inspection on a number of defect types defined by Sematech on the Defect metrology Advisory Group (DMAG) intentional defect array (IDA) wafers. We also report the systematic evaluation of defect sensitivity as a function of illumination wavelength. Theoretical simulations are reported that were carried out using a fully three-dimensional finite difference time domain (FDTD) electromagnetic simulation package. Comprehensive modeling was completed investigating angle-resolved illumination to enhance defect detection for several defect types from the IDA wafer designs. The defect types covered a variety of defects from the IDA designs. The simulations evaluate the SOM technique as applied to defect sizes from those currently measurable to those considered difficult to measure by the industry. The simulations evaluated both the 65 nm IDA M1 trench and the polysilicon stack and more recent 32 nm logic cell defects.

Proceedings Title

7638: Metrology, Inspection, and Process Control for Microlithography XXIV,
Conference 7638

Volume

7638

Conference Dates

February 21-25, 2010

Conference Location

San Jose, CA

Conference Title

SPIE Advanced Lithography Conference 2010

Pub Type

Conferences

Citation

Silver, R. , Barnes, B. , Sohn, M. , Quintanilha, R. , Zhou, H. , Deeb, C. , Johnson, M. , Goodwin, M. and Patel, D. (2010), The Limits and Extensibility of Optical Patterned Defect Inspection, 7638: Metrology, Inspection, and Process Control for Microlithography XXIV, Conference 7638, San Jose, CA (Accessed September 15, 2024)