We present an etch-aware optical proximity correction (OPC) flow that is intended to optimize post-etch patterns
on wafer. We take advantage of resource efficient empirical etch models and a model based retargeting scheme
to determine post-develop in-plane resist targets required to achieve post-etch critical dimensions. The goal of
this flow is to optimize final patterns on wafer rather than two independent patterns from lithography and etch.
As part of this flow, we cover important aspects of etch process variability implications for etch aware OPC.
Metrics for total pattern transfer are developed and explored with an eye toward optimizing pattern transfer.
We present results from a 45 nm poly-silicon and 32 nm shallow trench isolation levels where etch aware OPC
has been applied and compare these results with conventional resist based OPC schemes.
Finally, implications of this flow for unit process developers in lithography and reactive ion etch are explored.
We present a process optimization flow that incorporates model based retargeting into resolution enhancement
technology selection, materials selection as well as lithographic and reactive ion etch process development.
In this paper, we demonstrate a new methodology for post-etch OPC modeling to compensate for effects of
underlayer seen on product wafers. Current resist-only OPC models based on data from flopdown wafers
are not always accurate enough to deliver patterning solutions with stringent critical dimension
requirements in 45/32nm technology node. Therefore it is necessary to include an etch model into the OPC
correction. Both litho and etch model were built using flopdown and integrated wafers to compensate for
topography, differential etch due to different underlayer substrate based on local geometry and local
loading. The wafer data based on such OPC keyword show significant decrease of critical dimensions
offsets of device macros from long poly-line nested structures for gate level. We will compare wafer data
from two different OPC model versions built from flopdown and integrated wafer. We will also discuss
modeling options in terms of two layer test masks for future technologies.
A single patterning solution is still desirable to keep the costs low for high volume wafer manufacturing. This paper will
outline the process steps necessary to scale the single patterning approach for gate level from 65mn into the 45nm
technology node. They consist mainly of the introduction of a new software for optical proximity correction, the
introduction of model based process window correction, the switch to model based etch proximity correction, and
support of an ultra dense SRAM cell. All technology requirements could be met with this single patterning solution.
The lithographic processes and resolution enhancement techniques (RET) needed to achieve pattern fidelity are
becoming more complicated as the required critical dimensions (CDs) shrink. For technology nodes with smaller
devices and tolerances, more complex models and proximity corrections are needed and these significantly increase
the computational requirements. New simulation techniques are required to address these computational challenges.
The new simulation technique we focus on in this work is dense optical proximity correction (OPC). Sparse OPC
tools typically require a laborious, manual and time consuming OPC optimization approach. In contrast, dense OPC
uses pixel-based simulation that does not need as much manual setup. Dense OPC was introduced because sparse
simulation methodology causes run times to explode as the pattern density increases, since the number of simulation
sites in a given optical radius increases.
In this work, we completed a comparison of the OPC modeling performance and run time for the dense and the
sparse solutions. The analysis found the computational run time to be highly design dependant. The result should
lead to the improvement of the quality and performance of the OPC solution and shed light on the pros and cons of
using dense versus sparse solution. This will help OPC engineers to decide which solution to apply to their
particular situation.
As SRAM arrays become lithographically more aggressive than random logic, they are more and more
determining the lithography processes used. High yielding, low leakage, dense SRAM cells demand fairly
aggressive lithographic process conditions. This leads to a borderline process window for logic devices.
The tradeoff obtained between process window optimization for random logic gates and dense SRAM is
not always straightforward, and sometimes necessitates design rule and layout modifications. By delinking
patterning of the logic devices from SRAM, one can optimize the patterning processes for these devices
independently. This can be achieved by a special double patterning technique that employs a combination
of double exposure and double etch (DE2). In this paper we show how a DE2 patterning process can be
employed to pattern dense SRAM cells in the 45nm node on fully integrated wafers, with more than
adequate overlap of gate line-end onto active area. We have demonstrated that this process has adequate
process window for sustainable manufacturing. For comparison purpose we also demonstrate a single
exposure single etch solution to treat such dense SRAM cells. In 45nm node, the dense SRAM cell can also
be printed with adequate tolerances and process window with single expose (SE) with optimized OPC. This
is confirmed by electrical results on wafer. We conclude that DE2 offers an attractive alternative solution to
pattern dense SRAM in 45nm and show such a scheme can be extended to 32nm and beyond. Employing
DE2 lets designers migrate to very small tip-to-tip distance in SRAM. The selection of DE2 or SE depends
on layout, device performance requirements, integration schemes and cost of ownership.
The existence of pitch range with depth of focus below a sustainable limit is a well known fact in lithography. Such
'forbidden pitch' range limits designers' ability to pack more functionality in a logic chip. One of the ways to increase
the process window is to have a careful placement of SRAFs (Sub Resolution Assist Features) that can boost process
window across the pitch range. However the standard SRAF strategy that has been followed historically is not always
able to increase the process window of these 'forbidden pitches' sufficiently to allow sustainable manufacturing. With
shrinking technology node, placement of SRAF is becoming rather difficult due to space limitations between concerned
features and mask house's ability to manufacture mask with small assist features and smaller aspect ratios. In many
cases the number of SRAF that can be inserted between main features in a symmetrical way is not enough to boost the
process window. In this paper we discuss how asymmetrical placement of SRAF can increase process window for
critical feature in layouts where such critical features are placed near not-so-critical patterns. We also discuss how such
concepts can be extended to an array of critical features, where one SRAF is placed near a critical feature instead of
placing them in the center. We finally demonstrate how wafer data confirm process window boost from such
asymmetrical placement of SRAFs in gate layer for 65nm. We also show how to determine the optimal placement of
SRAF in such cases and recommend some rules that can be used for 45nm node based on such results.
The transition to the 65nm technology node requires improved methodologies for model based optical proximity correction. The approaches used for previous generations might not be able to deliver the high accuracy which is necessary for gate patterning on high performance or low leakage circuits. A new categorization scheme for OPC fragments will be introduced, which then allows independent optimization for various OPC tool parameters. The feasibility of this technique will be demonstrated by quantifying the OPC convergence through iterations, which emphasizes the performance gain in OPC accuracy and runtime.
DFM (Design for Manufacturing) has become a buzzword for lithography since the 90nm node. Implementing DFM intelligently can boost yield rates and reliability in semiconductor manufacturing significantly. However, any restriction on the design space will always result in an area loss, thus diminishing the effective shrink factor for a given technology. For a lithographer, the key task is to develop a manufacturable process, while not sacrificing too much area. We have developed a high performing lithography process for attenuated gate level lithography that is based on aggressive illumination and a newly optimized SRAF placement schemes. In this paper we present our methodology and results for this optimization, using an anchored simulation model. The wafer results largely confirm the predictions of the simulations. The use of aggressive SRAF (Sub Resolution Assist Features) strategy leads to reduction of forbidden pitch regions without any SRAF printing. The data show that our OPC is capable of correcting the PC tip to tip distance without bridging between the tips in dense SRAM cells. SRAF strategy for various 2D cases has also been verified on wafer. We have shown that aggressive illumination schemes yielding a high performing lithography process can be employed without sacrificing area. By carefully choosing processing conditions, we were able develop a process that has very little restrictions for design. In our approach, the remaining issues can be addressed by DFM, partly in data prep procedures, which are largely area neutral and transparent to the designers. Hence, we have shown successfully, that DFM and effective technology shrinks are not mutually exclusive.
Ability to predict process behavior under defocus has until now relied on explicit calculations, which while accurate, cannot be realistically used in full-chip optical and process correction strategies due to the long run times. In this work, we have applied a vector model for the optics, and a compact model for the resist development process. Simulations with these models are fast enough to be the basis of full-chip OPC. We verify this strategy with an independent set of measurements, and compare it to current lithographic process fitting strategies. The results indicate that by describing optical processes as accurately as possible, the model accuracy improves over a wider range of defocus conditions when compared to the traditional calibration method. As long as the calibration process successfully decouples optical and resist effects, relatively simple resist models deliver excellent accuracy within the noise level of the metrology measurements. Our data are based on one-dimensional and two-dimensional results using a 193nm system using 0.75 NA and off axis illumination with 6% attenuated phase shift mask. In all cases, a wide variety of sub-resolution assist feature rules were used in order to further test the ability of the models to predict various optical and resist environments.
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