Patent ID: 6557163
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
A method for determining an initial exposure condition for a new reticle implemented in a lithography tool for achieving a wafer design dimension, said new reticle having a known reticle design dimension and a known reticle measured feature dimension, said method comprising the steps of:a) recording said reticle design dimension and said reticle measured feature dimension of said new reticle in a memory storage device, said memory storage device further storing: i.) reticle dimension data from other reticles; and, ii.) exposure conditions of past wafers when implementing said other reticles; and, resulting wafer feature dimensions of said past wafers when exposed using said other reticles; b) recording a first relationship between said reticle measured feature dimension of said new reticle and said reticle design dimension of said new reticle as one of a plurality of size deviations in said memory storage device, said plurality of size deviations comprising said first relationship for each of said other reticles; c) for each of a plurality of said other reticles, calculating a reticle factor comprising a second relationship between said exposure conditions required to meet said wafer design dimension using said each of a plurality of said other reticles and average exposure conditions of similar reticles required to meet said wafer design dimension to thereby create a plurality of calculated reticle factors; d) determining a derived reticle factor (derived reticleFactor) for said new reticle by correlating a first population of said plurality of size deviations to a second population of said plurality of calculated reticle factors; e) calculating an initial exposure condition (OptimumDosenew reticle) for said new reticle by using said derived reticle factor; and, f) applying said initial exposure condition to said new reticle during manufacturing of said semiconductor device, whereby said wafer design dimension is achieved.