The application of submicron lithography defect simulation to IC yield improvement

Abstract

Yield improvement efforts traditionally involve extensive experimental work aimed at diagnosis of defect sources. This paper proposes a methodology for supplementing such experimental work with defect simulation. In particular, it is shown that lithography defect simulation can provide insight into defect mechanisms that cause major distortions in photoresist profiles. The nature of the distorted patterns can assist us in yield improvement efforts, since by comparing simulation results with the observed photoresist profiles on wafers, defect sources may be identified. Several lithography defect diagnosis examples are presented to demonstrate the approach.