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In order to perform an optical proximity correction of memory device nodes below half-pitch 50nm, so called 3D mask
effects need to be included in a model based OPC. As the mask pitch approaches wavelength of an optical system, and
the angle of off-axis illumination becomes increasingly greater than normal incident beam, combined effects of
transmission loss and mask induced polarization induces deviations from Kirchhoff thin mask approximation. Presently,
just a handful of methods are being developed for commercial use in full-chip scale optical proximity correction: edge
domain decomposition method (DDM), rim-type boundary layer and more recently, M3D model [1-6]. However, these
methods currently require extensive modeling and proximity correction runtime although its methods are being
continously improved for accuracy and speed. In this work, some results on an alternative approach to 3D mask
modeling that is suitable for OPC are presented. Using modeling test pattern experimental data and FDTD rigorous
simulation results, a thin mask approximation and alternative 3D mask approximate approaches are compared. And the
results indicate improved model accuracy in terms of root mean square of 30% for a cross-pole and a dipole illumination
conditions, respectively, while the OPC run-time remained similar. Furthermore, a flash memory gate-poly OPC results
using the 3D mask approximate model indicates improved correlation to experimental results than a thin mask model at
minimum resolution dense feature and narrow space regions.
Thin mask and proposed approximate 3D mask models were calibrated for three differing illumination conditions: two
X-dipole illuminations with Y-linear polarization and cross-pole quasar illumination with X&Y-linear polarization
states. For each of the extreme off-axis illumination conditions, 3D mask approximate model developed for OPC
indicated improved calibration results to both test pattern wafer images and rigorous simulation results. In addition,
OPC layout image contours of 3D mask approximate model correlated better to wafer image than the thin mask
approximation at nominal and defocus conditions.
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