24 November 2023 Curvilinear mask handling in OPC flow
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

The edge-based optical proximity correction (OPC) has been serving the industry for more than 20 years with few changes the mask geometry. In the past 10 years, ILT pioneers created the curvilinear mask using alternate algorithms. The two approaches differ so much that the experiences in conventional OPC do not easily translate to the use of ILT, and vice versa. We report a new approach to curvilinear masks that follows the conventional OPC workflow. It creates and manipulates the curvilinear shapes by generalizing the edge-based OPC to vertices. Conventional OPC techniques, including dissection, classification, target point placement, etc., remain as central roles. Full-chip correction results are included to demonstrate the good performance of the curvilinear mask for both contact and line/space patterns. The analysis of critical patterns shows that the curvilinear OPC lifts the mask rule check restriction to the mask shape that limits Manhattan OPC. The turnaround time of creating the curvilinear mask is around two times than that of the Manhattan mask.

© 2023 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)
Yung-Yu Chen, Kai-Hsiang Chang, Wen-Li Cheng, and Yu-Po Tang "Curvilinear mask handling in OPC flow," Journal of Micro/Nanopatterning, Materials, and Metrology 23(1), 011203 (24 November 2023). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JMM.23.1.011203
Received: 30 April 2023; Accepted: 23 October 2023; Published: 24 November 2023
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KEYWORDS
Optical proximity correction

Shrinkage

Shape analysis

Histograms

Industry

Lithography

Manufacturing

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