MULTI CHARGED PARTICLE BEAM WRITING APPARATUS AND MULTI CHARGED PARTICLE BEAM ADJUSTING METHOD

In one embodiment, a multi charged particle beam writing apparatus includes a shaping aperture array forming multiple beams by allowing part of a charged particle beam to pass through a plurality of first openings, a blanking aperture array having a plurality of second openings having respective blankers each configured to deflect and blank the beam passing therethrough, a stopping aperture member having a third opening and configured to block deflected beams of the multiple beams at a position off the third opening, a first alignment coil disposed between the blanking aperture array and the stopping aperture member and adjusting a beam path, an objective lens disposed between the stopping aperture member and a stage, and a movement controller controlling a movement of a position of the third opening in an in-plane direction of the stopping aperture member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims benefit of priority from the Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-112753, filed on Jun. 7, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a multi charged particle beam writing apparatus and a multi charged particle beam adjusting method.

BACKGROUND

As LSI circuits are increasing in density, the required linewidths of circuits included in semiconductor devices become finer year by year. To form a desired circuit pattern on a semiconductor device, a method is employed in which a high-precision original pattern (i.e., a mask, or also particularly called reticle, which is used in a stepper or a scanner) formed on quartz is transferred to a wafer in a reduced manner by using a reduced-projection exposure apparatus. The high-precision original pattern is written by using an electron-beam writing apparatus, in which a so-called electron-beam lithography technique is employed.

A writing apparatus using multiple beams can provide significantly improved throughput, because it is capable of irradiating with more beams at a time than when writing with a single electron beam. In a multi-beam writing apparatus using a blanking aperture array, which is a type of multi-beam writing apparatus, for example, an electron beam emitted from an electron gun is passed through a shaping aperture array having a plurality of holes to form multiple beams (a plurality of electron beams). The multiple beams pass through corresponding blankers in the blanking aperture array. A stopping aperture member is disposed below the blanking aperture array. The multiple beams passing through the blanking aperture array form a crossover at the position of an opening in the stopping aperture member.

The blanking aperture array has electrode pairs (blankers) each configured to individually deflect a beam, and an opening for passage of the beam is provided between electrodes. One electrode of each blanker is fixed at the ground potential and the other electrode of the blanker is switched between the ground potential and another potential, so that electron beams passing through the blankers are individually deflected and blanked. Electron beams deflected by the blankers are blocked by the stopping aperture member, whereas undeflected electron beams pass through the opening in the stopping aperture member and are applied onto a substrate (a mask).

Generally, apertures are categorized into the following types: shaping apertures (including “shaping aperture arrays”), limiting apertures (which may also be referred to as “lens apertures” or simply as “apertures”), and stopping apertures. A shaping aperture is configured to form a beam into a desired shape and is disposed at a position where the beam is greatly extended by a lens system. When irradiated with a beam, the shaping aperture allows only part of the beam corresponding to the desired shape to pass therethrough and blocks the remaining part. A lens aperture is configured to adjust a beam current or convergence state and is disposed before or after, or at substantially the same position as, the lens. The lens aperture allows a midportion of an extended beam to pass therethrough and blocks an unnecessary beam therearound. In contrast, a stopping aperture normally allows passage of the entire beam and blocks only deflected beams by blankers. In an optical system for a multi-beam writing apparatus, the stopping aperture is disposed near the image plane of a crossover (light source image) where beam extent is converged.

Blanking performed in the multi-beam writing apparatus requires high-speed operation for improved controllability over a writing dose. In terms of circuit techniques, the high-speed operation becomes difficult as the output voltage (i.e., blanker driving voltage) increases. Therefore, with currently available techniques, the output voltage can be increased only up to, for example, about 3 V to 5 V. The pitch of an individual beam in the blanker plane ranges from about 30 μm to 50 μm. Blankers are manufactured by microfabrication techniques. The longest possible length of electrodes of blankers that can be produced by currently available microfabrication techniques ranges from 20 μm to 40 μm. That is, since the voltage applied to the blankers cannot be made so high and the electrode length has limitations, it has been difficult to increase the amount of deflection made by the blankers. When the amount of deflection is limited, the beam blocking ratio is low. To compensate for this and improve controllability over a writing dose, it is preferable to reduce the opening diameter of the stopping aperture.

In the multi-beam writing apparatus, a plurality of beams are applied at a time and beams formed by passing through the same or different holes in the shaping aperture array are stitched together to write patterns of desired shapes. The shape of the entire multi-beam image projected onto the substrate has an influence on the stitching accuracy of written shapes. Therefore, it is required to accurately form a shaping aperture array image on the substrate.

In the multi-beam writing apparatus, to lessen the impact of shape error in the shaping aperture array, it is required to form an image with a high reduction ratio. This high-reduction imaging is realized by a two-stage objective lens. Thus, in the optical system of the multi-beam writing apparatus, a two-stage objective lens (first and second objective lenses) is disposed between the stopping aperture member and the substrate.

The multi-beam writing apparatus forms a large image on the substrate surface. This means that even when the beam path is only slightly displaced from the lens center, the entire multi-beam image is distorted significantly. To reduce such distortion, a beam passing through the opening in the stopping aperture member needs to pass through the center of the two-stage objective lens. However, since mechanical error causes an axial displacement between the objective lenses, or between an objective lens and the stopping aperture member, it has been difficult to allow the beam passing through the opening in the stopping aperture member to pass through the center of the two-stage objective lens.

As described above, to improve the beam blocking ratio during blanking, the stopping aperture preferably has a small opening diameter. However, when the opening diameter of the stopping aperture is reduced, it is more difficult to allow a beam passing through the opening in the stopping aperture member to pass through the center of the two-stage objective lens.

An alignment coil may be provided between the stopping aperture member and the first objective lens to deflect the beam path. In optical design practice, however, it is difficult to place the alignment coil because the stopping aperture member and the first objective lens are arranged close to each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, a multi charged particle beam writing apparatus includes an emitter emitting a charged particle beam, a shaping aperture array having a plurality of first openings, irradiated with the charged particle beam in a region including the plurality of first openings, and forming multiple beams by allowing part of the charged particle beam to pass through the plurality of first openings, a blanking aperture array having a plurality of second openings each configured to allow a corresponding beam of multiple beams passing through the plurality of first openings to pass therethrough, the plurality of second openings having respective blankers each configured to deflect and blank the beam passing therethrough, a stopping aperture member having a third opening and configured to block deflected beams of the multiple beams at a position off the third opening, the deflected beams being deflected by the blankers in such a manner as to be turned off, the stopping aperture member being configured to allow beams in an on-state to pass through the third opening, a first alignment coil disposed between the blanking aperture array and the stopping aperture member and adjusting a beam path, an objective lens disposed between the stopping aperture member and a stage configured to hold thereon a substrate subjected to writing with the beams, and a movement controller controlling a movement of a position of the third opening in an in-plane direction of the stopping aperture member.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described on the basis of the drawings. The embodiment deals with a configuration where electron beams are used as charged particle beams. Note that the charged particle beams are not limited to electron beams and may be, for example, ion beams.

A writing apparatus illustrated inFIG. 1includes a writer10configured to irradiate with electron beams a target object, such as a mask or wafer, to write a desired pattern thereon, and a controller60configured to control the operation of the writer10. The writer10is an example of multi-beam writing device that includes an electron optical column12and a writing chamber40.

The electron optical column12includes therein an electron gun14, an illuminating lens16, a shaping aperture array18, a blanking aperture array20, a projection lens22, a first alignment coil24, a stopping aperture member (limiting aperture member)26, a first objective lens28, a second objective lens30, and a second alignment coil32. An XY stage42is disposed in the writing chamber40. A mask blank, which is a substrate44(writing target), is placed on the XY stage42.

The target substrate44as a drawing target includes, for instance, a wafer and a mask for exposure which prints a pattern on a wafer using a reduced projection exposure device such as a stepper and a scanner utilizing an excimer laser as a light source, or an extreme ultraviolet ray exposure device. In addition, the drawing target substrate44includes a mask in which a pattern is already formed. For instance, a Levenson-type mask needs to be drawn twice, thus a second pattern may be drawn on a mask which has been drawn once and processed.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the shaping aperture array18includes an m-column by n-row array of openings (first openings)18A formed at a predetermined array pitch, where m and n are both greater than or equal to 2 (m, n≥2). All the openings18A are rectangular openings of the same shape and dimensions. The openings18A may be circular in shape. Multiple beams MB are formed by allowing part of an electron beam B to pass through the plurality of openings18A.

The blanking aperture array20is disposed below the shaping aperture array18and has pass holes20A (second openings) corresponding to the respective openings18A in the shaping aperture array18. The pass holes20A are each provided with a blanker (not shown) composed of a pair of two electrodes. One of the electrodes of the blanker is fixed to the ground potential, and the other electrode is switched between the ground potential and another potential. An electron beam passing through each of the pass holes20A is independently deflected by a voltage applied to the blanker. Thus, a plurality of blankers each deflect and blank a corresponding one of the multiple beams MB passing through the plurality of openings18A in the shaping aperture array18.

The stopping aperture member26blocks beams deflected by the blankers. Beams not deflected by the blankers pass through an opening26A (third opening) formed in the center of the stopping aperture member26. To reduce beam leakage during individual blanking performed by the blanking aperture array20, the stopping aperture member26is disposed in the image plane of a crossover (light source image) where beam extent is converged.

The stopping aperture member26is mounted on a moving mechanism50, which includes an actuator such as a motor, movable in a plane orthogonal to the direction of beam travel (beam axis direction). The moving mechanism50moves the stopping aperture member26in the direction of the aperture plane (horizontal plane), thereby adjusting the position of the opening26A (third opening). The moving mechanism50used here may be, for example, one that is driven by a known piezoelectric element.

The controller60includes a control computer62, a control circuit64, and a movement control circuit66. The movement control circuit66is connected to the moving mechanism50, and the movement control circuit66and moving mechanism50constitute a movement controller.

The electron beam B emitted from the electron gun14(emitting unit) substantially perpendicularly illuminates the entire shaping aperture array18through the illuminating lens16. The electron beam B is formed into a plurality of electron beams (multiple beams) MB by passing through the plurality of openings18A in the shaping aperture array18. The multiple beams MB pass through corresponding ones of the blankers in the blanking aperture array20.

The multiple beams MB passing through the blanking aperture array20are reduced in size by the projection lens22and travel toward the opening26A in the center of the stopping aperture member26. Electron beams deflected by the blankers in the blanking aperture array20are displaced from the opening26A in the stopping aperture member26and blocked by the stopping aperture member26. On the other hand, electron beams not deflected by the blankers pass through the opening26A in the stopping aperture member26. Blanking control is performed by turning on and off the blankers and this controls the “on” and “off” of the beams.

As described above, the stopping aperture member26blocks the beams that are deflected by the blankers in the blanking aperture array20in such a manner as to be turned off. Beams passing through the stopping aperture member26during the period from “beam-on” to “beam-off” are equivalent to a single shot.

The first alignment coil24for adjustment of a beam path is disposed between the projection lens22and the stopping aperture member26.

The multiple beams MB passing through the stopping aperture member26are brought into focus by the first objective lens28and the second objective lens30to form a pattern image with a desired reduction ratio, and projected onto the substrate44. Using a two-stage objective lens, which includes the first objective lens28and the second objective lens30, makes it possible to achieve a high reduction ratio. To reduce lens imaging aberrations and distortions, the stopping aperture member26is disposed close to, and directly above, the first objective lens28on the first stage (upper stage).

The second alignment coil32disposed between the first objective lens28and the second objective lens30adjusts the beam path in such a manner as to allow the beam to pass through the center of the second objective lens30.

The control computer62reads writing data from a storage device, and performs multiple stages of data conversion to generate shot data that is specific to the apparatus. The shot data defines, for example, the amount of irradiation by each shot and the coordinates of the irradiation position of the shot.

On the basis of the shot data, the control computer62outputs the amount of irradiation by each shot to the control circuit64. The control circuit64determines irradiation time t by dividing the input amount of irradiation by a current density. Then, when performing the corresponding shot, the control circuit64applies a deflection voltage to the corresponding blanker in the blanking aperture array20in such a manner that the beam is “on” during the irradiation time t.

In the writer10, for example, errors in manufacture of components or errors in installation of components to the apparatus may cause a displacement between the position of the opening26A in the stopping aperture member26and the center position of the first objective lens28. In the event of such a positional displacement, it is difficult to adjust the beam path, with the first alignment coil24, in such a manner as to allow the beam to pass through the opening26A in the stopping aperture member26and also through the center of the first objective lens28. As a result, as illustrated inFIG. 3A, the beam path is displaced from the center of the first objective lens28and this causes distortion of the entire multi-beam image projected onto the substrate44.

In the present embodiment, where the stopping aperture member26is mounted on the moving mechanism50, the position of the opening26A is adjusted in the in-plane direction of the stopping aperture member26. By moving the stopping aperture member26as illustrated inFIG. 3B, it is possible to adjust the beam path, with the first alignment coil24, in such a manner as to allow the beam to pass through the opening26A and also through the center of the first objective lens28. Note that the moving mechanism50is not shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B.

With reference to the flowchart ofFIG. 4, a method for determining the position of the stopping aperture member26will be described.

The stopping aperture member26is moved to an initial position within its moving region (step S1). The moving region is several times as large as an expected mechanical error. For example, the moving region is a 500-μm by 500-μm square region.

A current in the first alignment coil24is adjusted in such a manner as to allow a beam to pass through the center of the opening26A in the stopping aperture member26(step S2).

The excitation of the first objective lens28is varied, and the amount of in-plane displacement of the beam position on the substrate surface with respect to a unit amount of the variation is measured (steps S3and S4).

If the measurement in the moving region has not been completed (NO in step S5), the stopping aperture member26is moved at a predetermined pitch (step S6), and steps S2to S4are performed again to measure the amount of beam displacement. The predetermined pitch is a distance obtained, for example, by dividing the moving region into about 5 to 20, that is, about 25 μm to 100 μm.

After the measurement of the amount of beam displacement is completed throughout the moving region (YES in step S5), the position of the opening26A in the stopping aperture member26where the amount of beam displacement is minimized is detected (step S7). By positioning the opening26A of the stopping aperture member26at the detected position, the first alignment coil24can adjust the beam path in such a manner that the beam passing through the opening26A passes through the center of the first objective lens28.

After the position of the opening26A in the stopping aperture member26is determined, the second alignment coil32is adjusted in such a manner as to allow the beam to pass through the center of the second objective lens30. For example, the excitation of the second objective lens30is varied, and the amount of current in the second alignment coil32is adjusted in such a manner as to eliminate (or minimize) the in-plane displacement of the beam position on the substrate surface with respect to the variation.

The control computer62outputs, to the movement control circuit66, positional information that represents the position detected in step S7. The movement control circuit66controls the moving mechanism50in such a manner as to move the stopping aperture member26to the detected position. In accordance with a control signal from the control computer62, the control circuit64controls the amount of current in the first alignment coil24and the second alignment coil32.

By thus adjusting the position of the opening26A in the stopping aperture member26, the beam passing through the opening26A in the stopping aperture member26can pass through the center of each of the two objective lenses28and30.

In the present embodiment, even when the diameter of the opening26A in the stopping aperture member26is reduced, the beam can still pass through the center of each of the two objective lenses28and30. This makes it possible to produce multiple beams that are distortion-free. Additionally, since it is possible to increase the beam blocking ratio of individual blanking performed by the blanking aperture array20and reduce the beam blocking time, controllability over a writing dose is improved. This improves writing accuracy.

In the embodiment described above, if the amount of beam displacement at the position detected in step S7in the flowchart ofFIG. 4is greater than a predetermined threshold, a smaller moving region centered on the detected position may be defined and steps S2to S4may be performed again at a narrower moving pitch. If the amount of beam displacement is smaller than the predetermined threshold, the process proceeds to the step of adjusting the second alignment coil32.

In the embodiment described above, a plurality of the first alignment coils24and a plurality of the second alignment coils32may be provided.

The embodiment has described an example in which the moving mechanism50moves the stopping aperture member26in the in-plane direction to adjust the in-plane position of the opening26A. Alternatively, the position of the stopping aperture member26may be fixed and the first objective lens28may be moved. Moving the stopping aperture member26is easier, however, because objective lenses of magnetic field type are large in size and weight and objective lenses of electrostatic type require application of a high voltage.