Mask manufacturing rule check: how to save money in your mask shop

Martin C. Keck; Wolfram Ziegler; Roman Liebe; Torsten Franke; Gerd Ballhorn; Matthias Koefferlein; Joerg Thiele

doi:10.1117/12.410681

22 January 2001 Mask manufacturing rule check: how to save money in your mask shop

Martin C. Keck, Wolfram Ziegler, Roman Liebe, Torsten Franke, Gerd Ballhorn, Matthias Koefferlein, Joerg Thiele

Proceedings Volume 4186, 20th Annual BACUS Symposium on Photomask Technology; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.410681
Event: Photomask Technology, 2000, Monterey, CA, United States

Abstract

By approaching the physical resolution limits of optical lithography for a given wavelength, data complexity on certain layers of chip layouts increases, while feature sizes decrease. This becomes even more apparent when introducing optical enhancement techniques. At the same time, more and more complex procedures to fracture mask data out of a DRC clean chip-GDS2 require checks on mask data regarding integrity, as well as mask manufacturability and inspectability. To avoid expensive redesigns and large mask house cycle times it is important to find shortcomings before the data are submitted to the mask house. As an approach to the situation depicted, a (Mask) Manufacturing Rule Check (MRC) can be introduced. Aggressive Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) is a special challenge for mask making. Recently, special algorithms for mask inspection of OPC assist features have been implemented by equipment vendors. Structures smaller than two inspection pixels, like assist structures, can be successfully inspected with certain algorithms. The impact of those algorithms on mask pattern requirements and suitable MRC adoptions will be discussed in the present paper.

Citation Download Citation

Martin C. Keck, Wolfram Ziegler, Roman Liebe, Torsten Franke, Gerd Ballhorn, Matthias Koefferlein, and Joerg Thiele "Mask manufacturing rule check: how to save money in your mask shop", Proc. SPIE 4186, 20th Annual BACUS Symposium on Photomask Technology, (22 January 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.410681

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available