Metrology method and apparatus, computer program and lithographic system

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9879988
SERIAL NO

15013340

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Abstract

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Disclosed is a method of measuring a parameter of a lithographic process, and associated computer program and apparatuses. The method comprises providing a plurality of target structures on a substrate, each target structure comprising a first structure and a second structure on different layers of the substrate. Each target structure is measured with measurement radiation to obtain a measurement of target asymmetry in the target structure, the target asymmetry comprising an overlay contribution due to misalignment of the first and second structures, and a structural contribution due to structural asymmetry in at least the first structure. A structural asymmetry characteristic relating to the structural asymmetry in at least the first structure of each target structure is obtained, the structural asymmetry characteristic being independent of at least one selected characteristic of the measurement radiation. The measurement of target asymmetry and the structural asymmetry characteristic is then used to determine the overlay contribution of the target asymmetry of each target structure.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
ASML NETHERLANDS B VP O BOX 324 VELDHOVEN 5500 AH

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Cekli, Hakki Ergün Eindhoven, NL 30 101
Liu, Xing Lan Veldhoven, NL 18 121
Pello, Josselin Eindhoven, NL 2 12
Peng, Yue-Lin Taoyuan, TW 5 44
Smilde, Hendrik Jan Hidde Veldhoven, NL 40 1878
Van, Haren Richard Johannes Franciscus Waalre, NL 103 789

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