Mr. Qian Xie Profile

Qian Xie

at Brion Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Publications (3)

Proceedings Article | 28 April 2023 Presentation + Paper

A holistic approach to model-based stochastic-aware computational lithography

ChangAn Wang, Yongfa Fan, Mu Feng, Qian Xie, Jazer Wang, Chris Kaplan, Michael Crouse, Xiaoyang Li, Stephen Hsu, Peigen Cao, Yi-Hsing Peng, Stephen Chang, Jun Ye, Youping Zhang, Bin Cheng, Ken Yang, Leiwu Zheng, Jen-Shiang Wang, Austin Peng, Li-Hao Yeh, Cuiping Zhang, Rafael Howell, Alexander Tan, Yiqiong Zhao, Jun Lang, Xiaolong Zhang

Proceedings Volume 12494, 124940B (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2658508

KEYWORDS: Stochastic processes, Data modeling, Optical proximity correction, Line width roughness, Source mask optimization, Computational lithography, Semiconducting wafers, Modeling, Performance modeling, Photons

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 25 May 2022 Presentation + Paper

OPC accuracy improvement through deep-learning based etch model

Liang Zhu, Yuqian Chen, Bilun Zhang, Yunfei Xi, Wenhao Pan, Yuanxia Zheng, Yongfa Fan, Jin Cheng, Yu Zhao, Leiwu Zheng, Weina Shi, Jiao Huang, Jinze Wang, Qian Xie

Proceedings Volume 12056, 1205607 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2613926

KEYWORDS: Etching, Process modeling, Data modeling, Performance modeling, Optical proximity correction, Semiconducting wafers, Scanning electron microscopy, Calibration, Model-based design, Metrology

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 23 March 2020 Presentation + Paper

Accurate etch modeling with massive metrology and deep-learning technology

Xichen Sheng, Jinze Wang, Yuhang Zhao, Ming Li, Xiang Peng, Hongmei Hu, Shuxin Yao, Zhunhua Liu, Yu Tian, Ying Gao, Bingyang Pan, Weijun Wang, Chunyan Yi, Wei Yuan, Yifei Lu, Yanjun Xiao, Qian Xie, Ying-chen Wu, Guanyong Yan, Liang Liu, Liang Ji, Qian Zhao, Yongfa Fan, Yiqiong Zhao, Mu Feng, Yueliang Yao, Terrance Yang, Jun Lang

Proceedings Volume 11327, 113270B (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2552001

KEYWORDS: Etching, Metrology, Calibration, Scanning electron microscopy, Data modeling, Optical proximity correction, Critical dimension metrology, Performance modeling, Image processing, Semiconducting wafers

Read Abstract +

The semiconductor design node shrinking requires tighter edge placement errors (EPE) budget. OPC error, as one major contributor of EPE budget, need to be reduced with better OPC model accuracy. In addition, the CD (Critical Dimension) shrinkage in advanced node heavily relies on the etch process. Therefore AEI (After Etch Inspection) metrology and modeling are important to provide accurate pattern correction and optimization. For nodes under 14nm, the etch bias (i.e. the bias between ADI (After Development Inspection) CD and AEI CD) could be -10 nm ~ -50 nm, with a strong loading and aspect-ratio dependency. Etch behavior in advanced node is very complicated and brings challenges to conventional rule based OPC correction. Therefore, accurate etch modeling becomes more and more important to make precise prediction of final complex shapes on wafer for OPC correction. In order to ensure the accuracy of etch modeling, high quality metrology is necessary to reduce random error and systematic measurement error. Moreover, CD gauges alone are not sufficient to capture all the effects of the etch process on different patterns. Edge placement (EP) gauges that accurately describe the contour shapes at various key positions are needed. In this work we used the AEI SEM images obtained from traditional CD-SEM flow, processed with ASML’s MXP (Metrology for eXtreme Performance) tool, and used the extracted CD gauges and massive EP gauges to train a deeplearning Newron Etch model. In the approach, MXP reduced the AEI metrology random errors and shape fitting measurement error and provides better pattern coverage with massive reliable CD and EP gauges, Newron Etch captures complex and unknown physical and chemical effects learned from wafer data. Results shows that MXP successfully extracted stable contour from AEI SEM for various pattern types. Three etch models are calibrated and compared: CD based EEB model (Effective Etch Bias), CD+EP based EEB model, and CD+EP based Newron etch model. CD based EEB model captures the major trend of the etch process. Including EP gauges helps EEB model with about 10% RMS reduction on prediction. Integration of MXP (CD+EP) and Newron Etch model gains about 45% prediction RMS reduction compared to baseline model. The good prediction of Newron Etch is also verified from wafer SEM overlay on complex-shape patterns. This result validates the effectiveness of ASML’s solution of deep learning etch model integration with MXP AEI’s massive wafer data extraction from etch process, and will help to provide accurate and reliable etch modeling for advanced node etch OPC correction in semiconductor manufacturing.

View contact details

UPDATE YOUR PROFILE

Is this your profile? Update it now.

Sign into your SPIE.org account

Don’t have a profile and want one?

Create an account on SPIE.org

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years