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Inspection Device detects variations in wafers.
July 25, 2008 -
Filling gap between micro and macro semiconductor inspection devices, APM-3000 Series with Novel CD Inspection Technology leverages form of birefringence in Fourier Space to detect Critical Dimension and Pattern Edge Roughness variations. System consists of optical system with polarizer and high NA objective. Using white LED to minimize damage to resist, APM-3000 Series inspects fields up to .140 µm, and compensates for CD SEM and OCD's technical limitations in under half pitch 55 nm.
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Nikon's New APM-3000 Series Fills Gap Between CD SEM and OCD Semiconductor Inspection Devices
-Novel CD Inspection Technology Detects Variations in Wafers to Improve Yield-
MELVILLE, N.Y., July 15 /-- As the advanced IC device process continues to shrink, monitoring pattern profiles has become so critical that Nikon Instruments Inc. (http://www.nikoninstruments.com/) launched the APM-3000 Series, an automated pattern profile inspection device that fills the gap between micro and macro semiconductor inspection devices. The APM-3000 Series with Novel CD Inspection Technology leverages a form of birefringence in a Fourier Space to detect Critical Dimension (CD) and Pattern Edge Roughness (PER) variations, ultimately increasing yield rate. Traditional metrology methods, such as CD SEM and OCD has been used for such measurements, but proved timely and potentially damaging to the semiconductors.
The APM-3000 Series compensates for CD SEM and OCD's technical limitations in under half pitch 55 nm. It consists of an optical system with a polarizer and a high NA objective and detects light intensity in a Fourier space. The detecting principal is a form of birefringence of the wafer. With this principle, the CD and PER variations are detected as a polarization fluctuation and converted into the light intensity by use of the polarizer.
"Reports show that electrical abnormality caused by pattern profile- related defects accounts for as much as 65 percent of the reasons for lower yield rates," said Mike Metzger, General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Nikon Instruments. "With the APM-3000 Series, Nikon has created a technology that quickly detects differences between non-defective wafers and wafers with CD defects, helping companies improve yield."
CD SEM monitors the pattern profile with extremely high resolution and measures CD values more accurately than optical microscopes. However, it can damage wafers and hardly detects random fluctuations of the pattern profile occurring in short range. OCD, on the other hand, measures line width, height, depth, wall angle, etc. of the pattern profile by analyzing scattered light. However, it requires significant amounts of simulated data for comparison with measurement data and takes a very long time. Conversely, the APM-3000 Series uses a white LED to minimize damage to the resist. It is able to inspect a wide field of up to . 140 um and has high throughput. Other benefits include quick and easy recipe set-up, high sensitivity with excellent correlation with SEM and quick feedback to the exposure system or SEM review.
ABOUT NIKON INSTRUMENTS INC.
Nikon Instruments Inc is a world leader in the development and manufacture of optical and digital imaging technology for biomedical and industrial applications. Now in its 90th year, Nikon provides complete optical systems that offer optimal versatility, performance and productivity. Cutting-edge instruments include microscopes, precision measuring equipment, digital imaging products and software. Nikon Instruments is the microscopy and digital imaging arm of Nikon Inc., the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology. For more information, visit www.nikoninstruments.com. Product-related inquiries may be directed to Nikon Instruments at 800-52-NIKON.
Web site: http://www.nikoninstruments.com/
Contacts:
Public Relations:
Peppercom
Beth Starkin
USA
Phone: 212-931-6108
 E-mail this person
Company Information:
Name: Nikon Inc.
Address: 1300 Walt Whitman Road,
City: Melville
State: NY
ZIP: 11747
Country: USA
Phone: 631-547-8500
FAX: 631-547-0306
http://www.nikonusa.com
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