Ryoji Yoshikawa

Advanced electron-beam writing system EX-11 for next-generation mask fabrication

Toshiba and Toshiba Machine have developed an advanced electron beam writing system EX-11 for next-generation mask fabrication. EX-11 is a 50 kV variable-shaped beam lithography system for manufacturing 4x masks for 0.15 - 0.18 micrometer technology generation. Many breakthroughs were studied and applied to EX-11 to meet future mask-fabrication requirements, such as critical dimension and positioning accuracy. We have verified the accuracy required for 0.15 - 0.18 micrometer generation.

Metrology and inspection required for next generation lithography

We summarize the metrology and inspection required for the development of nanoimprint lithography (NIL) and directed self-assembly (DSA), which are recognized as candidates for next generation lithography. For NIL, template inspection and residual layer thickness (RLT) metrology are discussed. An optical-based inspection tool for replica template inspection showed sensitivity for defects below 10 nm with sufficient throughput. Scatterometry was applied for RLT metrology. Feedback control with scatterometry improved RLT uniformity across an imprinting field. For DSA, metrology for image placement and cross-sectional profile are addressed. Design-based scanning electron microscope (SEM) metrology utilizing a die-to-database electron beam (EB) inspection tool was effective for image placement metrology. For the cross-sectional profile, a holistic approach combining scatterometry and critical dimension SEM was developed. The technologies discussed here will be important when NIL and DSA are applied for IC manufacturing, as well as in the development phases of those lithography technologies.

257-nm wavelength mask inspection for 65-nm node reticles

We have developed a new photomask inspection method which has capability for inspecting 65nm technology node reticles using 257nm wavelength light source. This new method meets the requirement for the current mask inspection system using KrF inspection light source to be employed even in the fabrication of photomasks for 65nm technology node by the appearance of immersion technology using ArF wavelength. This paper discusses the detection capability of the 257nm wavelength inspection system for the defects on the 6% ArF attenuated phase shifting masks for 65nm node, using DSM based test pattern mask.

DUV inspection tool application for beyond optical resolution limit pattern

Mask inspection tool with DUV laser source has been used for Photo-mask production in many years due to its high sensitivity, high throughput, and good CoO. Due to the advance of NGL technology such as EUVL and Nano-imprint lithography (NIL), there is a demand for extending inspection capability for DUV mask inspection tool for the minute pattern such as hp4xnm or less. But current DUV inspection tool has sensitivity constrain for the minute pattern since inspection optics has the resolution limit determined by the inspection wavelength and optics NA. Based on the unresolved pattern inspection capability study using DUV mask inspection tool NPI-7000 for 14nm/10nm technology nodes, we developed a new optical imaging method and tested its inspection capability for the minute pattern smaller than the optical resolution. We confirmed the excellent defect detection capability and the expendability of DUV optics inspection using the new inspection method. Here, the inspection result of unresolved hp26/20nm pattern obtained by NPI-7000 with the new inspection method is descried.

Capability of particle inspection on patterned EUV mask using model EBEYE M

According to the road map shown in ITRS [1], the EUV mask requirement for defect inspection is to detect the defect size of sub- 20 nm in the near future. EB (Electron Beam) inspection with high resolution is one of the promising candidates to meet such severe defect inspection requirements. However, conventional EB inspection using the SEM method has the problem of low throughput. Therefore, we have developed an EB inspection tool, named Model EBEYE M※. The tool has the PEM (Projection Electron Microscope) technique and the image acquisition technique with TDI (Time Delay Integration) sensor while moving the stage continuously to achieve high throughput [2]. In our previous study, we showed the performance of the tool applied for the half pitch (hp) 2X nm node in a production phase for particle inspection on an EUV blank. In the study, the sensitivity of 20 nm with capture rate of 100 % and the throughput of 1 hour per 100 mm square were achieved, which was higher than the conventional optical inspection tool for EUV mask inspection [3]-[5]. Such particle inspection is called for not only on the EUV blank but also on the patterned EUV mask. It is required after defect repair and final cleaning for EUV mask fabrication. Moreover, it is useful as a particle monitoring tool between a certain numbers of exposures for wafer fabrication because EUV pellicle has not been ready yet. However, since the patterned EUV mask consists of 3D structure, it is more difficult than that on the EUV blank. In this paper, we evaluated that the particle inspection on the EUV blank using the tool which was applied for the patterned EUV mask. Moreover, the capability of the particle inspection on the patterned EUV mask for the hp 2X nm node, whose target is 25 nm of the sensitivity, was confirmed. As a result, the inspection and SEM review results of the patterned EUV masks revealed that the sensitivity of the hp 100 nm Line/Space (LS) was 25 nm and that of the hp 140- 160 nm Contact Hole (CH) was 21 nm. Therefore, we confirmed that particle inspection on the patterned EUV mask using Model EBEYE M could be available for the EUV mask of the hp 2X nm node. In the future, we will try to inspect the production mask of the hp 2X nm node, and try to confirm the performance for the EUV mask of the hp 1X nm node.

Defect management of EUV mask

Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUVL) is a promising technology for the fabrication of ULSI devices with 20nm half-pitch node. One of the key challenges before EUVL is to achieve defect-free masks. There are three main categories of mask defects: multilayer defects which cause phase defects, absorber pattern defects, and particles during blank/mask fabrication or mask handling after mask fabrication. It is important to manage multilayer defect because small multilayer defects are difficult to be identified by SEM/AFM after mask patterning and can impact wafer printing. In this paper, we assess blank defect position error detected by 3rd generation blank inspection tool, using blank defect information from blank supplier and 199nm wavelength patterned mask inspection tool NPI-7000. And we rank blank defect in the order of projection defect size to multilayer in order to estimate blank defect printability. This method avoids overestimating the number of potential killer defects that hardly be identified by SEM/AFM under the condition that EUV-AIMS is not available.

Development of a fast beam-blanking system

In order to obtain a precise dose control for proximity effect correction, a fast beam blanking system has been developed which can make possible the fine control of the beam pulse width with precision of less than 1 nanosecond. The system consists of a high precision blanker driving circuit and a blanking structure suitable for fast operation. The blanker driving circuit controls the pulse width by selecting delay line logic with required delay. The pulse width control of less than 1 nanosecond and pulse rising time of less than 10 nanoseconds were achieved. A coaxial structure was adopted for the blanking structure. The simulation study has shown that a blanking structure with low reflectance in a few GHz range is achievable. The pulse passed through an experimental blanking structure without distortion in waveform.

Required metrology and inspection for nanoimprint lithography

We summarize the metrology and inspection required for the development of nanoimprint lithography (NIL), which is recognized as a candidate for next-generation lithography. Template inspection and residual layer thickness (RLT) metrology are discussed. An optical-based inspection tool for replica template inspection showed sensitivity for defects below 10 nm with sufficient throughput. For the RLT control, in-die RLT metrology is needed. Because the metrology requires dense sampling, optical scatterometry is the best solution owing to its ability to measure profile features nondestructively with high throughput. For in-die metrology, we have developed a new hybrid metrology that can combine key information from these complex geometries with scatterometry measurements to reduce the impact on the RLT measurement due to the layers beneath the resist. The technologies discussed here will be important when NIL is applied for IC manufacturing, as well as in the development phases of those lithography technologies.

DUV inspection beyond optical resolution limit for EUV mask of hp 1X nm

It is generally said that conventional deep ultraviolet inspection tools have difficulty meeting the defect requirement for extreme ultraviolet masks of hp 1X nm. In previous studies, it has been shown that the newly developed optics and systems using deep ultraviolet, named Super Inspection Resolution Improvement method for UnreSolved pattern (SIRIUS), has high sensitivity for nanoimprint lithography templates with unresolved patterns which are the same scale as the wafer. In this paper, the capability of SIRIUS for the extreme ultraviolet mask of hp 1X nm lines and spaces pattern has been studied by evaluating the signal to noise ratio of inspection images and capture rates with 5 runs to the target defects which cause over 10% printed wafer critical dimension errors calculated by simulation. It was demonstrated that the signal to noise ratio was increased and the all target defects became detectable with the throughput of 120 min per 100 × 100 mm2 . Additionally, the printability of natural defects detected with SIRIUS was analyzed. It was confirmed that SIRIUS was able to detect natural defects under 10% of wafer critical dimension. In conclusion, we confirm that SIRIUS can be available for the extreme ultraviolet mask inspection of hp 1X nm lines and spaces pattern.

Application of EB repair for nanoimprint lithography template

Recently, much attention has been paid on nanoimprint lithography (NIL) because of its capability for fabricating device at a low cost without multiple patterning. It is considered as a candidate for next generation lithography technology. NIL is one to one lithography and contact transfer technique using template. Therefore, the lithography performance depends greatly on the quality of the template pattern. And there are some challenges to be solved for defect repair of template because pattern size of template is as same as that of wafer. In order to realize the defect repair of template using electron beam (EB) repair tools, it is necessary to control the EB irradiated area and dose amount of EB repair process more accurately. By optimizing these conditions, EB repair process for template has been improved. In this paper, we evaluated etching repair of a master template and the imprinting to replica. Programmed missing defects on master template were repaired by changing parameters of EB repair tool. It was confirmed that the relationship of critical dimension (CD) and depth of etching repair process for master template and the influence on replica imprinting. As a result, the repair process for master template with hole pattern enables the corresponding CD error of the replica template to be less than ±10% of the target CD.