Patent ID: 7853067
Filing Date: 2010-12-14
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. A method for lithographic reticle inspection, comprising: (a) generating a three-dimensional topographical map for a reticle surface, wherein a reticle is in a load-free state; (b) loading the reticle; (c) generating a three-dimensional topographical map for the reticle surface, wherein the reticle is in a loaded state; (d) comparing the load-free reticle three-dimensional topographical map to the loaded reticle three-dimensional topographical map to identify differences between the load-free reticle three-dimensional topographical map and the loaded reticle three-dimensional topographical map; and (e) taking a compensating control action based on the differences between the load-free reticle three-dimensional topographical map and the loaded reticle three-dimensional topographical map.