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US4779986A
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Reduction projection system alignment method and apparatus
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
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Filing: 1986-04-14
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Granted: 1988-10-25
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Expires: 2006-04-14
Abstract
Abstract A reduction projection system alignment method for detecting the positions of an alignment pattern on a reticle and an alignment pattern on a wafer projected onto a reticle by a reduction projection lens so as to relatively align the reticle and wafer. This method comprises providing spatial images emanating from patterns on the reticle and wafer surfaces as alginment patterns of at least one of the reticle and wafer, and detecting the alignment patterns of the reticle and wafer by the same detection optical system using lights which are different in the wavelength from that of an exposure light and different from each other between the reticle and wafer. An apparatus for performing this method is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Naoto Nakashima
- 👤 Yoshitada Oshida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:08
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F9/00; G03F9/70; H; H10; H10P; H10P95/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A reduction projection system alignment method for detecting the positions of an alignment pattern on a reticle and an alignment pattern on a wafer projected onto a reticle by a reduction projection lens so as to relatively align the reticle and wafer, comprising the steps of: directing a first light beam having a first wavelength different from that of an exposure light by reflecting the first light beam on a mirror pattern formed on the reticle to the alignment pattern on the wafer through said reduction projection lens by a first illumination means, the first light beam emanating from a first light source; directing a second light beam having a second wavelength different from that of the exposure light and said first wavelength to a Fresnel pattern formed on the reticle by a second illumination means, said second light beam emanating from a second light source; forming both a spatial image focused by projecting an image of the wafer alignment pattern through the reduction projection lens and reflecting it from the mirror pattern, and a spatial image diffracted by said Fresnel pattern of the reticle alignment pattern as enlarged images by an optical system; and separately detecting said enlarged images with an image pickup means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A reduction projection system alignment method for detecting the positions of an alignment pattern on a reticle and an alignment pattern on a wafer projected onto a reticle by a reduction projection lens so as to relatively align the reticle and wafer, comprising the steps of: directing a first light beam having a first wavelength different from that of an exposure light by reflecting the first light beam on a mirror pattern formed on the reticle to the alignment pattern on the wafer through said reduction projection lens by a first illumination means, the first light beam emanating from a first light source; directing a second light beam having a second wavelength different from that of the exposure light and said first wavelength to a Fresnel pattern formed on the reticle by a second illumination means, said second light beam emanating from a second light source; forming both a spatial image focused by projecting an image of the wafer alignment pattern through the reduction projection lens and reflecting it from the mirror pattern, and a spatial image diffracted by said Fresnel pattern of the reticle alignment pattern as enlarged images by an optical system; and separately detecting said enlarged images with an image pickup means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A reduction projection system alignment method according to claim 1, wherein the step of directing a first light beam having a first wavelength and the step of directing a second light beam having a second wavelength includes utilizing a wavelength for the first light beam which is smaller than the wavelength utilized for the second light beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A reduction projection system alignment method according to claim 1, wherein said first light source is a Ar + laser beam source and said second light source is He-Ne laser beam source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
181 words
A reduction projection system alignment apparatus for detecting the positions of an alignment pattern on a reticle and an alignment pattern on a wafer projected onto a reticle by a reduction projection lens so as to relatively align the reticle and wafer, comprising: first illuminating means for reflecting light having a first wavelength different from that of an exposure light from a mirror pattern formed on the reticle so as to illuminate the alignment pattern on the wafer through said reduction projection lens; second illuminating means for illuminating a Fresnel pattern formed on the reticle with light having a second wavelength different from that of the exposure light and said first wavelength; an optical system for forming both a spatial image focused by projecting an image of the wafer alignment pattern through the reduction projection lens and reflecting it from the mirror pattern and a spatial image diffracted by said Fresnel pattern of the reticle alignment pattern as enlarged images; and image pickup means for separately detecting said enlarged images and having a pair of light paths which differ in length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
181 words
A reduction projection system alignment apparatus for detecting the positions of an alignment pattern on a reticle and an alignment pattern on a wafer projected onto a reticle by a reduction projection lens so as to relatively align the reticle and wafer, comprising: first illuminating means for reflecting light having a first wavelength different from that of an exposure light from a mirror pattern formed on the reticle so as to illuminate the alignment pattern on the wafer through said reduction projection lens; second illuminating means for illuminating a Fresnel pattern formed on the reticle with light having a second wavelength different from that of the exposure light and said first wavelength; an optical system for forming both a spatial image focused by projecting an image of the wafer alignment pattern through the reduction projection lens and reflecting it from the mirror pattern and a spatial image diffracted by said Fresnel pattern of the reticle alignment pattern as enlarged images; and image pickup means for separately detecting said enlarged images and having a pair of light paths which differ in length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A reduction projection system alignment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said first illumination means enables swinging movement of the illumination light on the wafer alignment pattern through the reduction projection lens.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A reduction projection system alignment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said optical system includes a mirror provided below said reticle alignment pattern, relay lenses, and a magnifying lens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A reduction projection system alignment apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first illumination means includes a beam splitter for supplying incident light through said optical system to said mirror pattern.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A reduction projection system alignment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first illumination means enables swinging movement of the illumination light on the wafer alignment pattern through said reduction projection lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A reduction projection system alignment apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said second illumination means illuminates a lower side of the reticle through said mirror.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A reduction projection system alignment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said first illumination means includes a Ar + laser beam source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A reduction projection system alignment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said second illumination means includes an He-Ne laser beam source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A reduction projection system alignment apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said first illumination means includes an Ar + laser beam source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A reduction projection system alignment apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said second illumination means includes a He-Ne laser beam source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A reduction projection system alignment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said image pickup means includes a dichroic mirror for separating said enlarged images, a pair of cylindrical lenses for converging said enlarged images, and a pair of linear image sensors for picking up said enlarged images.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
A reduction projection system alignment apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said image pickup means includes a dichroic mirror for separating said enlarged images, a pair of cylindrical lenses for converging said enlarged images, and a pair of linear image sensors for picking up said enlarged images.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
158 words
A reduction projection system alignment apparatus for detecting the positions of an alignment pattern on a reticle and an alignment pattern on a wafer projected onto a reticle by a reduction projection lens so as to relatively align the reticle and wafer, comprising: first illumination means for directing light having a first wavelength different from that of an exposure light to the alignment pattern on the wafer through said reduction projection lens; second illumination means for directing light having a second wavelength different from that of the exposure light and said first wavelength to the reticle alignment pattern of the reticle; an optical system for forming both a spatial image focused by projecting an image of the wafer alignment pattern through the reduction projection lens and a spatial image of the reticle alignment pattern as enlarged images; and image pickup means for separately detecting said enlarged images and having a pair of light paths which differ in length.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
158 words
A reduction projection system alignment apparatus for detecting the positions of an alignment pattern on a reticle and an alignment pattern on a wafer projected onto a reticle by a reduction projection lens so as to relatively align the reticle and wafer, comprising: first illumination means for directing light having a first wavelength different from that of an exposure light to the alignment pattern on the wafer through said reduction projection lens; second illumination means for directing light having a second wavelength different from that of the exposure light and said first wavelength to the reticle alignment pattern of the reticle; an optical system for forming both a spatial image focused by projecting an image of the wafer alignment pattern through the reduction projection lens and a spatial image of the reticle alignment pattern as enlarged images; and image pickup means for separately detecting said enlarged images and having a pair of light paths which differ in length.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A reduction projection system alignment apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said first illumination means enables swinging movement of the illumination light on the wafer alignment pattern through said reduction projection lens.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-10-25 | 1992-04-25 | 1992-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-25 | 1996-04-25 | 1996-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-25 | 2000-04-25 | 2000-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |