Patent ID: 7439001
Filing Date: 2008-10-21
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. A method for optimizing imaging and process parameter settings in a lithographic pattern imaging and processing system is disclosed, the method comprising: correlating the dimensions of a first set of at least one control pattern printed in a lithographic resist layer, measured at three or more locations on or within the pattern which correspond to differing dose, defocus and blur sensitivity, the locations of high defocus sensitivity on or within a pattern corresponding to different heights on the profile in the resist layer resulting from the image of a low density pattern and comprising isolated features for which pitch to an adjacent feature is significantly greater than twice the width of the smallest feature dimension and the location of low defocus sensitivity corresponding to a single height on the profile in the resist layer resulting from the image of a high density pattern and comprising nested features for which pitch to an adjacent feature is not significantly greater than twice the width of the smallest feature dimension, the dimensions of the first set of at least one control pattern being measured at different blur condition of the pattern imaging system varied by changing bandwidth of illumination or tilt of an image plane in the lithographic pattern imaging and processing system; measuring the dimensions on subsequent sets of control patterns, printed in a lithographic resist layer, simultaneously at three or more locations on or within each pattern, of which a minimum of three locations match those measured in the first set; and determining the effective dose, defocus and blur values associated with forming the subsequent sets of control patterns by comparing the dimensions at the matching locations with the correlated dependencies.