Since the haze generation causes unexpected wafer yield losses, it has been a serious issue on wafer lithography as
illumination wavelengths become shorter with 248nm and 193nm. Several papers regarding to cleaning and its effect
on haze generation have been published. A mask is cleaned periodically to prevent from the haze generation. These
periodic or repetitive cleanings causes unacceptable phase and transmittance variation. Therefore, the number of cleaning
cycles has been limited to meet limitation of phase and transmittance.
In this paper, relaxation for pass or fail criteria was studied based on phase and transmittance margin, as one of the
solutions of cleaning limitation. Optimum cleaning cycles were determined by using AIMS (Aerial Image Measurement
system) simulation methods. Various parameters such as phase and transmittance variation, depth profile, intensity, CD
(Critical Dimension) with line and space and contact pattern of pre and post cleaned ArF PSM were measured whenever
a mask was cleaned repeatedly. Moreover, a mask quality was validated based on the measured parameters, considering
limitation of phase and transmittance and lithography margin. The cleaning and validation were repeated several times
until intensity and CD were out of limitation. Based on these studies, a correlation model between the numbers of
cleaning cycles and measured parameters from AIMS simulation were developed. The newly developed correlation
model was used for an estimating parameter for the optimum number of cleaning cycles to be performed.
As the design rule of the semiconductor devices approaches to 90nm node technology, the defect controllability of the photomask becomes critical success factor. The halftone defects generated in photomask cannot be easily judged because the results of Aerial Image Measurement System (AIMS) are flexible with the defect size and
transmission. Also, the printability of halftone defect on wafer is not clear because of low sensitivity of inspection system for pinholes. In this paper, halftone defects with programmed size were fabricated by Focused Ion Beam (FIB) repair tool. We evaluated the transmission correlation of the halftone defects between printability with 248nm simulation tool and inspection machine with 365nm light source. We could make the judgment criteria of halftone defects captured by inspection machine without AIMS result from this correlation result. Inspection machines such as KLA-Tencor and Lasertec are used to verify the detectability of halftone defects. Wafer printability was simulated using AIMS fab 248. Even though the transmission of halftone defects is same, the energy intensity of large size defects is higher than that of small size.
Increasing complexity, smaller design rule and development of PSM (Phase Shift Mask) are required more precise photomask repair technology. Recently, It is important unit process to enhance yield, production time and delivery in 130nm node below mass production. Furthermore, opaque defects are on the increase compare to clear defects using dry process. Therefore key issue of advanced repair technology is opaque defects removal and edge placement accuracy control. In this paper, we will discuss opaque repair technology of 90nm node EA-PSM to get improved edge placement using FIB (Focused Ion Beam) machine. Firstly, we started with a concept of low ion beam current at 30keV acceleration voltage. To optimize image quality in low beam current, we have changed suitable scan parameters in target FOV (Field Of View) and checked scan damage in these parameters with AIMS. Secondly, we have applied a reregistration function to enhance edge placement control and analyzed edge placement variation by CD-SEM and AIMS tool after pattern drift. Thirdly, transmission of repaired region was confirmed with AIMS and inspection tool.
The semiconductor industry continuously shrink the linewidths and the smaller linewidths are easily affected by the defects. The defects have to be detected to prevent printed images on wafers. This paper will present the detection capability of current inspection machines for chrome defects on attenuated MoSiN layer and simulation results for the effect of chrome defect on attenuated layer. Two inspection machines based on i-line light source were used for comparison of detection capability for chrome defect on attenuated layer. The effect of chrome defect on attenuated MoSiN layer was evaluated with MSM 100 at 248 nm wavelength.
Chemically amplified resist (CAR) provides superior lithographic performance compared to traditional e-beam resists in production maskmaking. Parameters benefiting the most are contrast, resolution, and sensitivity. In spite of CAR's advantages, defect control and tighter 50KeV e-beam CAR process restrictions are significantly more critical thanks to smaller geometries, tighter CD specifications, and optical proximity correction (OPC) for 90nm node mask technology. Among defect root causes, resist development is considered to be the one of the most important steps because post-development residue can generate printable defects on finished masks.
We investigated the CAR development process across different resist development methods, such as binary and fan-type nozzle spin spray, and puddle development. Several high density binary and embedded-attenuated phase shift masks (EAPSMs) with 70% clear area in the main pattern field were evaluated in an effort to identify and contain post-develop defects in a typical mask production flow. Development step process residue was examined at the after-develop inspection (ADI) step and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for individual defect review. The KLA-Tencor SLF77 TeraStar inspection tool was used to inspect patterns after the development, Cr/MoSiON layer dry etch, and clean steps. The effectiveness of the various CAR development methods has been also studied following development, dry etch, and cleaning inspection by using identical binary and EAPSM masks from production. The mechanism and defect source during the stepwise process and inspections were scrutinized and discussed.
Experimental results showed that stepwise process inspection was effective in identifying defects and their sources to prevent defects, and in optimizing each process step. It was found that CAR development and dry etch processes are the most important process steps to control defects in CAR-based mask production. Suggested optimized develop process parameters for 90nm-node mask
As photomask making procedures extend to more and more complex and difficult, the detected numbers of the quartz defects are increasing trend. These kinds of defects have been less detected frequently or not detected before. But, it can be found enough now because inspection machines are developed high resolution, short wavelength light source and low pixel size to find small size defects. Defect shapes and sizes detected by inspection machine are evaluated and classified to several types with SEM and then analyzed the wafer printing result with transmission data of the inspection and AIMS simulation result. By this analyzed result, the judge reference of the quartz defect was provided when the defect was detected by inspection machine during producing photomask. This will improve mask yield by reducing mask reject ratio classified blank mask defect problems.
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