For almost a decade Nanomachining application has been studied and developed to repair next generation of
photomasks. This technique, based on Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), applies a mechanical removing of the defects
with almost negligible quartz-damage, high accuracy of the edge-placement and without spurious depositions (stain,
implanted elements, etc.) that may affect the optical transmission. SII NanoTechnology Inc. (SIINT) is carrying out a
joint-development project with DNP Photomask Europe S.p.A. (DPE) that has allowed the installation in DPE of the
next generation state-of-the-art AFM based system SPR6300 to meet the repair specifications for the 65 nm Node.
Drift phenomena of the AFM probe represent one of the major obstacles for whichever kind of nano-manipulation
(imaging and material or pattern modification). AFM drift undermines the repeatability and accuracy performances of
the process. The repair methodology, called NewDLock, implemented on SPR6300, is a semi-automated procedure by
which the drift amount, regardless of its origin, is estimated in advance and compensated during the process. Now AFM
Nanomachining approach is going to reveal properties of repeatability and user-friendly utilization that make it suitable
for the production environment.
Since 2001, we have been improving the hp65nm generation photomask repairing systems, the SIR7000. FIB repair stains quartz substrate with Ga ions. We process the repaired area using two parameters: edge bias and over-etching depth to recover transmission loss. The simulation shows that smaller over-etching makes the lithography process window larger. The dependence of Ga density in quartz with on FIB acceleration voltages shows that the Ga-doped area is smaller according as acceleration voltage is lower. It is found that the over-etching depth should be below 15nm, and a new FIB repairing system should have a low acceleration column. In order to confirm the effect of low acceleration voltage, we investigated the transmittance and the over-etching depth as a feasibility study. As the result, lower acceleration voltage repair gives higher transmittance and lower over-etching depth. We confirmed that the FIB with low acceleration voltage is the most promising technology for the hp65nm generation photomask repairing.
The 65nm photomasks have to meet tight specifications and improve the production yield due to high production cost. The 65nm optical lithography was thought to have two candidates, 157nm and 193nm. However, at the advent of immersion lithography, it is certain that 193nm lithography will be adopted. Therefore, we decided to develop the FIB machine, SIR7000FIB, proior to the EB machine. We optimized repair conditions of FIB system, SIR7000FIB, and evaluated this system. First, we demonstrated minute defect repair using about 15nm defect mask. Then, we confirmed that the repeatability of repair accuracy was below 7nm on a MoSi HT mask patterned 360nm and 260nm L&S patterns with opaque and clear defects by AFM. Consequently, we have achieved the target specifications of this system.
The 65nm photomasks have to meet tight specifications and improve the production yield due to high production cost. The 65nm optical lithography has two candidates, 157nm and 193nm, and we are developing two types of experimental photomask repair systems, FIB and EB, for the 65nm generation. We designed and developed experimental EB and FIB system that are beta systems. The construction of these systems was the same design except the each column. The platforms of beta systems consist of anti-vibration design to reduce outer disturbance for repair accuracy. Furthermore, we developed a new CPU control system, especially the new beam-scanning control system that makes it possible to control the beam position below nanometer order. These developments will suppress transmission loss and improve repair accuracy of the systems. We also adopt the 6-inch mask SMIF pod system and the CAD data linkage system that matches the EB mask data image with the SED image to search defects in photomasks with sophisticated patterns such as OPC patterns. We evaluated the EB and FIB beta systems with AIMS, LWM and AFM. EB and FIB beta systems were able to deposit carbon film and etch chrome, quartz, and MoSi. Furthermore, We confirmed that repair accuracy is 3σ below 10nm and transmission is over 97%. We also confirmed that CAD linkage was able to repair sophisticated pattern completely. In this paper, we report the photomask defect repair experimental systems for the 65nm generation.
The 65nm photomasks have to meet tight specifications and improve the production yield due to high production cost. The 65nm optical lithography has two candidates, 157nm and 193nm, and we are developing two types of experimental photomask repair systems, FIB and EB, for the 65nm generation. We designed and developed FIB and EB beta systems. The platforms of beta systems consist of anti-vibration design to reduce outer disturbance for repair accuracy. Furthermore, we developed a new CPU control system, especially the new beam-scanning control system that makes it possible to control the beam position below nanometer order. These developments will suppress transmission loss and improve repair accuracy of the systems. We also adopt the 6-inch mask SMIF pod system and the CAD data linkage system that matches the EB mask data image with the SED image to search defects in photomasks with sophisticated patterns such as OPC patterns. We evaluate the EB repair process, and confirm that it generates carbon film, which has possibility to generate the same quality as that of FIB. Furthermore, we confirmed that EB and FIB repair systems were able to deposit carbon film and etch chrome, quartz, and MoSi. In this paper, we report the photomask defect repair experimental systems and the feasibility study on photomask defect repair for the 65nm generation.
Semiconductor device manufacturing demands rapid ramp of yield together with feature size reduction, especially for logic and ASIC because of their short-lives and small volume production characteristics. As a technological breakthrough for rapid yield ramp of such devices, we have endeavored to integrate CAD technology with SEM for printed pattern observation, and have developed Grade Scope, an evaluation technology, by combining the wafer proces and upstream design process.
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