IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,600,497
Granted Patent B2
US 11,600,497 · App. 16/836,828 · Granted Mar 7, 2023

Using absolute Z-height values for synergy between tools

Inventors: Sandeep Madhogarhia (Howrah, IN); Hari Sriraman Pathangi (Chennai, IN); Rohit Bhat (Milpitas, CA)
Assignee: KLA CORPORATION
H01L21/461G01B7/31G01B15/025G01N23/22H01L21/02689
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,600,497
App. No.
16/836,828
Granted
Mar 7, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A semiconductor review tool receives absolute Z-height values for the semiconductor wafer, such as a semiconductor wafer with a beveled edge. The absolute Z-height values can be determined by a semiconductor inspection tool. The semiconductor review tool reviews the semiconductor wafer within a Z-height based on the absolute Z-height values. Focus can be adjusted to within the Z-height.

Claims (29)

1. A system comprising:

a particle beam generator in a semiconductor review tool that generates a particle beam;

a platen in the semiconductor review tool configured to hold a semiconductor wafer;

a detector in the semiconductor review tool configured to receive the particle beam reflected off the semiconductor wafer; and

a processor in electronic communication with detector, wherein the processor is configured to:

receive absolute Z-height values with respect to a tool component of the semiconductor review tool, azimuthal angle values, and polar angle values for the semiconductor wafer;

send instructions to review the semiconductor wafer with the particle beam within a Z-height based on the absolute Z-height values at locations of the azimuthal angle values and the polar angle values; and

adjust focus of the semiconductor review tool to within the Z-height during the review of the semiconductor wafer.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor wafer has a beveled edge.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the particle beam is a photon beam.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the particle beam is an electron beam.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine a correlation of the Z-height to a Z-height value of a semiconductor inspection tool separate from the system.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the correlation is determined at the azimuthal angle values and the polar angle values.

7. A method comprising:

receiving, at a semiconductor review tool, absolute Z-height values with respect to a tool component of a semiconductor review tool, azimuthal angle values, and polar angle values for a semiconductor wafer;

reviewing the semiconductor wafer using the semiconductor review tool at locations of the azimuthal angle values and the polar angle values, wherein the review begins at the absolute Z-height values includes sweeping a Z-height on the semiconductor wafer; and

adjusting focus of the semiconductor review tool to within the Z-height during the review of the semiconductor wafer.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the semiconductor wafer has a beveled edge.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

inspecting a semiconductor wafer with a semiconductor inspection tool; and

determining, using measurements from the semiconductor inspection tool, the absolute Z-height values.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising determining a correlation between a Z-height value from the second semiconductor inspection tool and the Z-height using the semiconductor inspection tool.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the correlation is performed at locations at the azimuthal angle values and the polar angle values.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprising one or more programs for executing the following steps on one or more computing devices:

receiving absolute Z-height values with respect to a tool component of a semiconductor review tool, azimuthal angle values, and polar angle values for a semiconductor wafer; and

sending instructions to review the semiconductor wafer with a particle beam within a Z-height based on the absolute Z-height values at locations of the azimuthal angle values and the polar angle values; and

adjusting focus of the semiconductor review tool to within the Z-height during the review of the semiconductor wafer.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12 , wherein the steps include determining a correlation between a Z-height value from the second semiconductor inspection tool and the Z-height using the semiconductor inspection tool.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the correlation is performed at locations at the azimuthal angle values and the polar angle values.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2020
From: MADHOGARHIA, SANDEEP; PATHANGI, HARI SRIRAMAN; BHAT, ROHIT
To: KLA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 052633/0483 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62849401 · May 17, 2019
Related Publication 20200321221A1 · Oct 8, 2020
Cited By (1)
US 12,564,016