Enabling reverse tone imaging for via levels using attenuated phase shift mask and source optimization

Bassem Hamieh; Hyun Chol Choi; Burcin Erenturk; Wei Guo; Ayman Hamouda; Huikan Liu; Gregory McIntyre; Jason Meiring; David Moreau; Alan Thomas; Alexander Wei

doi:10.1117/12.2011349

12 April 2013 Enabling reverse tone imaging for via levels using attenuated phase shift mask and source optimization

Bassem Hamieh, Hyun Chol Choi, Burcin Erenturk, Wei Guo, Ayman Hamouda, Huikan Liu, Gregory McIntyre, Jason Meiring, David Moreau, Alan Thomas, Alexander Wei

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8683, Optical Microlithography XXVI; 86830J (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2011349
Event: SPIE Advanced Lithography, 2013, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

Printing small vias with tight pitches is becoming very challenging and consequently, different techniques are explored to achieve a robust and stable process. These techniques include reverse tone imaging (RTI) process, source optimization, mask transmission (attenuated Phase Shift Masks (attnPSM) versus binary thin OMOG masks), three-dimensional mask effects models, and SRAF printing models. Simulations of NILS, MEEF, DoF and process variability (PV) band width across a wide range of patterns are used to compare these different techniques in addition to the experimental process window. The results show that the most significant benefits can be gained by using attnPSM masks in conjunction with source optimization and RTI process. However, this improvement alone is not enough; every facet of the computational lithography and process must be finely tuned to produce sufficient imaging quality. As technology continues to shrink, Electromagnetic Field (EMF)-induced errors limit the scalability of this process and we will discuss the need for advanced techniques to suppress and correct for them.

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Bassem Hamieh, Hyun Chol Choi, Burcin Erenturk, Wei Guo, Ayman Hamouda, Huikan Liu, Gregory McIntyre, Jason Meiring, David Moreau, Alan Thomas, and Alexander Wei "Enabling reverse tone imaging for via levels using attenuated phase shift mask and source optimization", Proc. SPIE 8683, Optical Microlithography XXVI, 86830J (12 April 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2011349

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