# RD 720083
LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, CALIBRATION RETICLE, CALIBRATION METHOD AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD
Publication date
19/03/2024
Language
English
Paper publication
April 2024 Research Disclosure journal
Digital time stamp
e3b0c44298fc1c149afbf4c8996fb92427ae41e4649b934ca495991b7852b855
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17 pages(s) - 2M
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Abstract

1 LITHOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, CALIBRATION RETICLE, CALIBRATION METHOD AND DEVICE MANUFACTURING METHOD BACKGROUND [0001] A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a substrate, usually onto a target portion of the substrate. A lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). In that instance, a patterning device, which is alternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, may be used to generate a circuit pattern to be formed on an individual layer of the IC. This pattern can be transferred onto a target portion (e.g., comprising part of, one, or several dies) on a substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer). Transfer of the pattern is typically via imaging onto a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist) provided on the substrate. In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively patterned. [0002] Lithography is widely recognized as one of the key steps in the manufacture of ICs and other devices and/or structures. However, as the dimensions of features made using lithography become smaller, lithography is becoming a more critical factor for enabling miniature IC or other devices and/or structures to be manufactured. [0003] A theoretical estimate of the limits of pattern printing can be given by the Rayleigh criterion for resolution as shown in equation (1): NA CD  k 1 *  (1) where λ is the wavelength of the radiation used, NA is the numerical aperture of the projection system used to print the pattern, k1 is a process-dependent adjustment factor, also called the Rayleigh constant, and CD is the feature size (or critical dimension) of the printed feature. It follows from Equation (1) that reduction of the minimum printable size of features can be obtained in three ways: by shortening the exposure wavelength λ, by increasing the numerical aperture NA or by decreasing the value of k1. [0004] In order to shorten the exposure wavelength and, thus, reduce the minimum printable size, it has been proposed to use an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation source. EUV radiation is electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength within the range of 10-20 nm, for example within the range of 13-14 nm. It has further been proposed that EUV radiation with a wavelength of less than 10 nm could be used, for example within the range of 5-10 nm such as 6.7 nm or 6.8 nm. Such radiation is termed extreme ultraviolet radiation or soft x-ray radiation. Possible sources include, for example, laser-produced plasma sources, discharge plasma sources, or sources based on synchrotron radiation provided by an electron storage ring. [0005] It is desirable to measure aberrations in the projection system of a lithographic apparatus (the optical system which projects the beam patterned by the patterning device onto the substrate). A method and apparatus for measuring such aberrations is disclosed in WO2019149468A1, which 2 Company Secret document is incorporated by reference in its entirety. As disclosed therein, radiation beams diffracted by a diffraction grating at reticle level are projected onto a sensor at substrate level, the sensor including a radiation detector and a transmissive diffraction grating corresponding to the diffraction grating at reticle level. A suitable transmissive diffraction grating and a method of making it are disclosed in WO2021259745A1, which docum...