Patent ID: 8293126

Claim:
A method for multi-pass location specific processing of asperities on a substrate, comprising: acquiring metrology data for multiple locations on a substrate; determining at least one asperity on the substrate having a first spatial gradient based on said metrology data; computing first correction data for adjusting said metrology data corresponding to the at least one asperity on the substrate having the first spatial gradient; establishing a first gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) having predetermined characteristics for treating said at least one asperity having the first spatial gradient; applying said first GCIB to said substrate according to said first correction data; determining at least one asperity on the substrate having a second spatial gradient, which is different from the first spatial gradient, based on said metrology data; computing second correction data for adjusting said metrology data corresponding to the at least one asperity on the substrate having the second spatial gradient; establishing a second GCIB different from the first GCIB and having predetermined characteristics for treating said at least one asperity having the second spatial gradient; applying said second GCIB to said substrate according to said second correction data; determining at least one additional asperity on the substrate having another spatial gradient, which is different from the first and second spatial gradients, based on said metrology data; computing additional correction data for adjusting said metrology data corresponding to each of the at least one additional asperity on the substrate having the another spatial gradient; establishing another GCIB different from the first and second GCIB and having predetermined characteristics for treating said additional asperity having another spatial gradient; and applying said another GCIB to said substrate according to said additional correction data wherein said predetermined characteristics include a beam edge profile having a maximum slope equivalent to or exceeding a maximum gradient of its respective asperity.