IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,345,243
Granted Patent B2
US 8,345,243 · App. 12/717,430 · Granted Jan 1, 2013

Overlay metrology target

Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,345,243
App. No.
12/717,430
Granted
Jan 1, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one embodiment, a metrology target for determining a relative shift between two or more successive layers of a substrate may comprise; an first structure on a first layer of a substrate and an second structure on a successive layer to the first layer of the substrate arranged to determine relative shifts in alignment in both the x and y directions of the substrate by analyzing the first structure and second structure overlay.

Claims (18)

1. A metrology target for determining a relative shift between two or more successive layers of a substrate comprising:

a first structure on a first layer of the substrate, wherein the first structure comprises:

two parallel line segments separated by a known distance;

a third line segment connecting the two parallel line segments starting from the midpoint of each of the two parallel line segments and resulting in a third line perpendicular to the two parallel line segments,

wherein no other line segments on the first layer intersect any of the two parallel line segments and the third line segment,

a second structure on a successive layer to the first layer of the substrate;

wherein:

centers of symmetry for the first structure and second structure are designed to be placed in coincidence and shifts from this coincident placement may be read as substrate layer shifts; and

the first structure and the second structure have 180 degree symmetry.

2. A metrology target for determining a relative shift between, two or more successive layers of a substrate comprising:

a first structure on a first layer of the substrate, wherein the first structure comprises:

two parallel line segments separated by a known distance;

a third line segment connecting the two parallel line segments starting from known points, wherein the known points are closer to one end of a line segment than to a line segment's second end, on each of the two parallel line segments and resulting in a third line perpendicular to the two parallel line segments,

wherein no other line segments on the first layer intersect any of the two parallel line segments and the third line segment,

a second structure on a successive layer to the first layer of the substrate;

wherein:

centers of symmetry for the first structure and second structure are designed to be placed in coincidence and shifts from this coincident placement may be read as substrate layer shifts; and

the first structure and the second structure have 180 degree symmetry.

Continuity (2)
Division 12062874 · Apr 4, 2008
Related Publication 20100155968A1 · Jun 24, 2010