We present the basic concept of a fast mask optimization method that utilizes target-intensity back propagation. This method decomposes the target-intensity using a two-dimensional (2-D) transmission cross coefficient. After applying normal incidence approximation to the decomposed target intensity, the spectrum of the mask is optimized in the pupil plane. Since the optimization is performed in the pupil plane, one can use relatively small sampling points, leading to a fast optimization. By setting a high-contrast target intensity, we can obtain an approximation of a phase shifting mask, whereas a low-contrast target intensity approximates a binary intensity mask or attenuated phase shifting mask.
The extendibility of 2D-TCC technique to an isolated line of 45 nm width is investigated in this paper. The 2D-TCC
technique optimizes mask patterns placing assist pattern automatically. For 45 nm line patterns, the assist pattern width
generally becomes much smaller than the exposure wavelength of 193 nm. Thus, the impact of the topography of a mask
is examined using an electro-magnetic field (EMF) simulation. This simulation indicates that unwanted assist pattern
printings are brought about by assist patterns with a smaller size than expected by the Kirchhoff's approximation. The
difference, however, can be easily solved by giving a bias to the main pattern in the optimized mask. The main pattern
bias decreases DOF very little. Furthermore, DOF simulated with a thick mask model is roughly the same as that
simulated with a thin mask model. Therefore the topography of the optimized mask does not have an influence on the
assist pattern position of the optimized mask. From these results, we have confirmed that the 2D-TCC technique can be
extended to the optimization of 45 nm line patterns. As one of the notable features, the optimized aperiodic assist pattern
greatly reduces MEEF compared with the conventional periodic assist pattern. To verify the feasibility of the 2D-TCC
technique for 45 nm line, we performed experiment with an optimized mask. Experimental results showed that DOF
increased with the number of assist pattern as simulation indicated. In addition, a defect whose length was twice that of
the assist pattern did not have an influence on CD. From these results we have confirmed that the 2D-TCC technique can
enhance the resolution of 45 nm line and has practical feasibility.
In this paper, a new resolution enhancement technique named 2D-TCC technique is proposed. This method can
enhance resolution of line patterns as well as that of contact hole patterns by the use of an approximate aerial image.
The aerial image, which is obtained by 2D-TCC calculation, expresses the degree of coherence at the image plane of a
projection optic considering mask transmission at the object plane. OPC of desired patterns and placement of assist
patterns can be simultaneously performed according to an approximate aerial image called a 2D-TCC map. Fast
calculation due to truncation of a series in calculating an aerial image is another advantage. Results of mask
optimization for various line patterns and the validity of the 2D-TCC technique by simulations and experiments are
reported.
A newly developed sub-resolution assist feature (SRAF) placement technique with two-dimensional
transmission cross coefficient (2D-TCC) is described in this paper. In SRAF placement with 2D-TCC, Hopkins'
aerial image equation with four-dimensional TCC is decomposed into the sum of Fourier transforms of diffracted
light weighted by 2D-TCC, introducing an approximated aerial image so as to place SRAFs into a given reticle
layout. SRAFs are placed at peak positions of the approximated aerial image for enhanced resolution. Since the
approximated aerial image can handle the full optical model, SRAFs can be automatically optimized to the given
optical condition to generate the optimized reticle. The validity of this technique was confirmed by experiment
using a Canon FPA6000-ES6a, 248 nm with a numerical aperture (NA) of 0.86. A binary reticle optimized by this
technique with mild off-axis illumination was used in the experiment. Both isolated and dense 100 nm contacts (k1
= 0.35) were simultaneously resolved with the aid of this technique.
ArF water immersion exposure systems with a numerical aperture (NA) of over 1.3 are currently being developed and
are expected to be used for the node up to 45-nm half-pitch. Although there are multiple candidates for the next
generation node, we here focus on ArF immersion lithography using high-index materials. The refractive index of highindex
fluids is typically about 1.64 and is larger than that of fused silica (~1.56). In this situation, the NA is limited by
the refractive index of silica and is at most 1.45. An exposure system with 1.45 NA is not suitable for 32-nm hp node,
but may be used for 37-nm hp node. In spite of this limitation, the system has the advantage of slight alterations from
the current system using water as immersion fluid. On the other hand, high-index lens material is effective to increase
the NA of projection optics further. At present, LuAG, whose refractive index is 2.14, is most promising as high-index
lens material. The combination of high-index fluid and high-index lens material can enhance the NA up to about 1.55
and the exposure system would be available for the 32-nm half-pitch node.
Although high-index immersion lithography is attractive since it is effective in raising resolution, such new materials
should be examined if these materials can be used for high precision projection optics. Here, we have investigated
optical characteristics of high-index materials in order to realize high-index immersion systems.
As imaging properties of ArF Immersion optics are evaluated in a hyper-NA region, the polarization of illumination systems and vectorial mask diffraction play an important role. We investigate the effectiveness of polarized illumination for practical patterns including the border of dense line-and-space (L/S) patterns, semi-dense L/S patterns, isolated lines, and contact holes. The results show that polarized illumination is effective in projecting many patterns except semi-dense L/S patterns and relatively large contact holes. Secondly, we examine how bias settings of alternating phase-shift masks (AltPSMs) are affected by vectorial mask diffraction, which depends on the polarization of incident light and feature size on the mask. Although a reduction ratio of 8x facilitates bias settings compared with that of 4x, it is necessary to take into account the effect of vectorial mask diffraction even in the case of 8x. Since polarized illumination also simplifies bias settings, the illumination is useful for 4x projection optics.
High-index fluids have recently attracted considerable attention because they are capable of extending the numerical aperture of projection optics beyond the refractive index of water (n=1.44). We study imaging properties of 1.50NA projection optics with an immersion fluid of n=1.64 and the preliminary requirements of fundamental optical characteristics of the fluid.
An experimental extreme UV (EUV) interferometer (EEI) using an undulator light source was designed and constructed for the purpose of developing wavefront measurement technology with the exposure wavelength of the projection optics of EUV lithography systems. EEI has the capability of performing five different EUV wavefront metrology methods.
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