Gadi Greenberg

AWV: high-throughput cross-array cross-wafer variation mapping

Minute variations in advanced VLSI manufacturing processes are well known to significantly impact device performance and die yield. These variations drive the need for increased measurement sampling with a minimal impact on Fab productivity. Traditional discrete measurements such as CDSEM or OCD, provide, statistical information for process control and monitoring. Typically these measurements require a relatively long time and cover only a fraction of the wafer area. Across array across wafer variation mapping ( AWV) suggests a new approach for high throughput, full wafer process variation monitoring, using a DUV bright-field inspection tool. With this technique we present a full wafer scanning, visualizing the variation trends within a single die and across the wafer. The underlying principle of the AWV inspection method is to measure variations in the reflected light from periodic structures, under optimized illumination and collection conditions. Structural changes in the periodic array induce variations in the reflected light. This information is collected and analyzed in real time. In this paper we present AWV concept, measurements and simulation results. Experiments were performed using a DUV bright-field inspection tool (UVision(TM), Applied Materials) on a memory short loop experiment (SLE), Focus Exposure Matrix (FEM) and normal wafers. AWV and CDSEM results are presented to reflect CD variations within a memory array and across wafers.

Process variation monitoring (PVM) by wafer inspection tool as a complementary method to CD-SEM for mapping LER and defect density on production wafers

As design rules shrink, Critical Dimension Uniformity (CDU) and Line Edge Roughness (LER) constitute a higher percentage of the line-width and hence the need to control these parameters increases. Sources of CDU and LER variations include: scanner auto-focus accuracy and stability, lithography stack thickness and composition variations, exposure variations, etc. These process variations in advanced VLSI manufacturing processes, specifically in memory devices where CDU and LER affect cell-to-cell parametric variations, are well known to significantly impact device performance and die yield. Traditionally, measurements of LER are performed by CD-SEM or Optical Critical Dimension (OCD) metrology tools. Typically, these measurements require a relatively long time and cover only a small fraction of the wafer area. In this paper we present the results of a collaborative work of the Process Diagnostic & Control Business Unit of Applied Materials® and Nikon Corporation®, on the implementation of a complementary method to the CD-SEM and OCD tools, to monitor post litho develop CDU and LER on production wafers. The method, referred to as Process Variation Monitoring (PVM), is based on measuring variations in the light reflected from periodic structures, under optimized illumination and collection conditions, and is demonstrated using Applied Materials DUV brightfield (BF) wafer inspection tool. It will be shown that full polarization control in illumination and collection paths of the wafer inspection tool is critical to enable to set an optimized Process Variation Monitoring recipe.