Defect characterization of EUV Self-Aligned Litho-Etch Litho-Etch (SALELE) patterning scheme for advanced nodes

Kaushik Sah; Andrew Cross; Sayantan Das; Victor Blanco; Luka Kljucar; Sandip Halder; Philippe Leray

doi:10.1117/12.2585779

22 February 2021 Defect characterization of EUV Self-Aligned Litho-Etch Litho-Etch (SALELE) patterning scheme for advanced nodes

Kaushik Sah, Andrew Cross, Sayantan Das, Victor Blanco, Luka Kljucar, Sandip Halder, Philippe Leray

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11611, Metrology, Inspection, and Process Control for Semiconductor Manufacturing XXXV; 116112H (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2585779
Event: SPIE Advanced Lithography, 2021, Online Only

Conference Poster

Abstract

In this paper, we will investigate defect modes and pattern variations for EUV (extreme ultra-violet lithography) double pattering scheme using self-aligned litho-etch-litho-etch process on final pitch 28nm test structures. As we continuously shrink device sizes towards aggressive pitches, the industry is moving towards adopting double pattering using EUV. Although we continue to push limits of 0.33NA EUV in terms of pitch and CD (critical dimensions) with novel resists and processes, stochastic defects pose greater challenge at pitches below 40 nm [1]. One of the ways to circumvent this problem is to use a multi-patterning scheme with relaxed design rule. Self-aligned litho-etch-litho-etch (SALELE) is one such scheme for early BEOL (back end of line) layers. The benefit of this patterning approach is that no dummy metal is added and blocks are needed only at tight tip-to-tip definitions, which can help to reduce parasitic capacitance. In this paper we will employ SEM inspection techniques to understand pattern variabilities, after initial optical inspection was done to discover different defect modes. We show that with analysis of SEM images we can get further insight on process variations.

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Kaushik Sah, Andrew Cross, Sayantan Das, Victor Blanco, Luka Kljucar, Sandip Halder, and Philippe Leray "Defect characterization of EUV Self-Aligned Litho-Etch Litho-Etch (SALELE) patterning scheme for advanced nodes", Proc. SPIE 11611, Metrology, Inspection, and Process Control for Semiconductor Manufacturing XXXV, 116112H (22 February 2021); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2585779

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