Patent ID: 9679372
Date: 2017-06-13
CPC Classifications: G06T

Claim:
1. A method of inspecting an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) reticle, the method comprising: using an inspection tool for detecting electromagnetic waveforms to inspect the EUV reticle for phase defects and obtain a phase defect map for the EUV reticle before a pattern is formed on the EUV reticle, wherein the phase defect map identifies a position of each phase defect on the EUV reticle; after the pattern is formed on the EUV reticle, using a charged particle tool to inspect the EUV reticle for pattern defects and obtain a pattern defect map for the EUV reticle, as well as to obtain an image of each reticle portion that is proximate to each position of each phase defect as identified in the phase defect map, wherein the pattern defect map identifies a position of each pattern defect on the EUV reticle; prior to forming the pattern on the EUV reticle, analyzing a position of each of a plurality of phase defects as identified by the phase defect map relative to a design pattern, which can be used to form the pattern on the EUV reticle, to determine whether such phase defect is predicted to cause a problem in a device that is fabricated with the EUV reticle after it is patterned with the design pattern and whether such problem can be mitigated by altering the design pattern of the EUV reticle; and if one or more phase defects are predicted to cause a problem that can be mitigated, altering the design pattern and using the altered design pattern to form the pattern on the EUV reticle so as to mitigate the problem.