KEYWORDS: Etching, Photomasks, Critical dimension metrology, Picture Archiving and Communication System, Photoresist processing, Lithography, Scanning electron microscopy, Standards development, Semiconducting wafers, Process control
In previous study the high impact of development by-products on Critical Dimension (CD) through the microloading effect has been demonstrated for a Novolak resist. In this paper, through further tests involving Chemically Amplified Resist (CAR) and Novolak resist, the microloading effect of development is characterized and tentative mechanism is presented.
Megasonic Immersion Development (MID), a high flow rate development technique similar to the Proximity Gap Suction Development (PGSD), was used and compared with spin spray development and puddle development.
On TOK IP3600, a Novolak resist, we have explored a wide range of process conditions with MID. Developer temperature was varied from 5°C to 40°C with TMAH developer concentration of 1.9% and 2.38% resulting in an isofocal dose range of 90mJ to 190mJ. Exposure Focus Matrix (EFM) with a specific microloading pattern and resist cross sections were performed. The best conditions are quite far from the standard process advised by the resist supplier. Very nice standing wave profile was obtained at high temperature development.
On CAR, JEOL 9000MVII, a 50kV e-beam vector scan tool, and ETEC ALTA 4300, a DUV raster scan tool, were used with different develop process techniques including MID. FujiFilm Arch FEP-171 positive CAR and Sumitomo NEB-22 negative CAR were used on 50kV writing tool. Sumitomo PEK-130 was used on DUV writing tool. FEP-171 and PEK-1300 show microloading effect on high density patterns but not NEB-22.
MID shows also improved reproduction of develop features in the chrome and a 20% improvement of CD uniformity. The results of this study seem to indicate that a closer look in their development process is needed for 90nm and 65nm technologies.
The move towards smaller feature size continuously requires more accurate lithography models. Part of models improvement comes from a better understanding of involved physics and chemistry. State of the art models assume development rate to be dependent on level of de-protection of resist film while development kinetics is not taken into account. Model refinements consist in getting a good model of development rate versus de-protection level. Recent studies have put in evidence the importance and the influence of development kinetics. Based on this, a new development process concept has been developed: the Proximity Gap Suction Development (PGSD). This paper presents a parallel approach to PGSD using megasonic agitation in order to improve development process understanding. Analysis has been performed by focusing on microloading effect characterization, also taking into account Critical Dimension (CD) linearity, CD iso-dense bias. Interpretation and analysis were achieved through use of DOE techniques. Results are then discussed with respect to previous PGSD studies but also to current development models. It is believed that improvement of development process could be also achieved in wafer making through the use of high flow rate development techniques such as PGSD or megasonic development.
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