US4862008A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for optical alignment of semiconductor by using a hologram
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
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Filing: 1988-06-29
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Granted: 1989-08-29
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Expires: 2008-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A wafer is aligned by using an alignment light having a longer wavelength than an exposure light. Exposure and alignment are effected through a common reduction lens. A wavefront aberration caused by the use of the long wavelength alignment light is compensated by a hologram. Thus, an alignment precision is improved without exposing a resist layer to a light.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshitada Oshida
- 👤 Naoto Nakashima
- 👤 Yasuhiro Yoshitake
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:06
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F9/00; G03F9/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor by irradiating an exposure light to a mask having a fine pattern drawn thereon and directing the transmitted light therefrom to a wafer as a pattern image through an exposure reduction lens, comprising: an alignment illumination step for illuminating an alignment mark on the wafer by an alignment light having a different wavelength than that of he exposure light; an alignment detection step for detecting a reflected light of the alignment light through the exposure reduction lens to detect the position of the alignment mark on the wafer to align the wafer relative to the alignment mark; and compensation step for compensating for a wavefront aberration at the alignment wavelength of the exposure reduction lens by using a hologram in at least one of alignment illumination and alignment detection in the relative alignment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor by irradiating an exposure light to a mask having a fine pattern drawn thereon and directing the transmitted light therefrom to a wafer as a pattern image through an exposure reduction lens, comprising: an alignment illumination step for illuminating an alignment mark on the wafer by an alignment light having a different wavelength than that of he exposure light; an alignment detection step for detecting a reflected light of the alignment light through the exposure reduction lens to detect the position of the alignment mark on the wafer to align the wafer relative to the alignment mark; and compensation step for compensating for a wavefront aberration at the alignment wavelength of the exposure reduction lens by using a hologram in at least one of alignment illumination and alignment detection in the relative alignment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 1 further comprising: a step for scanning the wafer relative to the alignment illumination light fixed at a predetermined position; and a step for detecting an intensity of the reflected light from the alignment mark on the wafer and detecting a scan position on the wafer to detect the position of the alignment mark on the wafer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor to a light according to claim 1 further comprising: a step for directing the reflected light from the alignment mark on the wafer to the hologram while using the hologram for detection; and a step for detecting the diffracted light from the hologram by an image sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 1 further comprising: a step for using the hologram for illumination to the entire alignment mark on the wafer and the detection of the reflected light from the alignment mark; a step for directing the reflected light from the alignment mark to the detection hologram; and a step for detecting the alignment mark for the diffracted light from the detection hologram while the wafer and the illumination light are fixed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 1 further comprising: a step for directing the alignment mark illumination light generated by the hologram to the alignment mark at least two different incident angles; and a step for combining images formed by the illumination lights of different incident angles to produce a detection waveform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 1 further comprising: a step for forming a hologram for a plurality of wavelengths; a step for directing at least one of the laser beams to the alignment mark at least two different incident angles; and a step for combining detection waveforms of images produced by the illumination lights of different incident angles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 1 further comprising: a step for forming a hologram for at least two wavelengths; a step for directing laser beams of respective wavelength to the hologram; and a step for directing the illumination light from the hologram to the alignment mark to detect the alignment mark.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 1 wherein the hologram interference fringe is a pattern determined by a theoretical interference fringe determined by a wavefront (phase) of the light having the alignment light wavelength virtually emitted from the alignment mark on the wafer, including a wavefront aberration generated at a hologram position after the transmission of the light through the exposure reduction lens, and an amplitude of the light, and a wavefront (phase) and an amplitude of a reference light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 1 further comprising: a step for scanning the alignment illumination light formed by the hologram in the detection direction on the wafer while the wafer is fixed in the alignment mark detection mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
98 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 1 further comprising: a step for directing the alignment light transmitted through or reflected by the hologram used for the alignment illumination to the exposure reduction lens; and a step for illuminating a wafer areas of a relatively narrow width substantially equal to a resolution width of a diffraction limit determined by a number of aperture of the exposure reduction lens and the wavelength in a direction of detection of the position of the alignment mark on the wafer after the transmission through the exposure reduction lens.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 7 further comprising: a step for forming a hologram for a plurality of wavelengths; a step for directing at least one of the laser beams to the alignment mark at least two different incident angles; and a step for combining detection waveforms of images produced by the illumination lights of different incident angles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 8 further comprising: a step for drawing the pattern of the hologram based on the theoretical interference fringe by using a charged particle beam or laser beam drawing apparatus; and a step for compensating for a wavefront aberration at the alignment wavelength by using the drawn hologram pattern as a master.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 9 further comprising: a step for scanning the alignment illumination light by light deflection means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 9 further comprising: a step for directing the reflected light from the alignment mark on the wafer to the hologram while using the hologram for detection; and a step for detecting the diffracted light from the hologram by an image sensor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 10 further comprising: a step for directing the alignment mark illumination light generated by the hologram to the alignment mark at least two different incident angles; and a step for combining images formed by the illumination lights of different incident angles to produce a detection waveform.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 10 further comprising: a step for scanning the wafer relative to the alignment illumination light fixed at a predetermined position; and a step for detecting an intensity of the reflected light from the alignment mark on the wafer and detecting a scan position on the wafer to detect the position of the alignment mark on the wafer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 10 further comprising: a step for forming a hologram for at least two wavelengths; a step for directing laser beams of respective wavelengths to the hologram; and a step for directing the illumination light from the hologram to the alignment mark to detect the alignment mark.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 10 further comprising: a step for scanning the alignment illumination light formed by the hologram in the detection direction on the wafer while the wafer is fixed in the alignment mark detection mode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 17 further comprising: a step for forming a hologram for a plurality of wavelengths; a step for directing at least one of the laser beams to the alignment mark at least two different incident angles; and a step for combining detection waveforms of images produced by the illumination lights of different incident angles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 18 further comprising: a step for scanning the alignment illumination light by light deflection means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method for optical alignment of a semiconductor according to claim 18 further comprising: a step for directing the reflected light from the alignment mark on the wafer to the hologram while using the hologram for detection; and a step for detecting the diffracted light from the hologram by an image sensor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
131 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor having an exposure light source for illuminating a circuit pattern formed on a mask and an exposure reduction lens for focusing the circuit pattern on a wafer to be processed, comprising: alignment illumination means for directing an alignment light having a different wavelength than that of the exposure light source to an alignment mark on the wafer; alignment detection means illuminated by said alignment illumination means for detecting the alignment light reflected from said alignment mark through said exposure reduction lens to align said wafer relative to said mask by said alignment mark; and a hologram provided in at least one of said alignment illumination means and said alignment detection means for compensating a wavefront aberration at the alignment wavelength of said exposure reduction lens.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
131 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor having an exposure light source for illuminating a circuit pattern formed on a mask and an exposure reduction lens for focusing the circuit pattern on a wafer to be processed, comprising: alignment illumination means for directing an alignment light having a different wavelength than that of the exposure light source to an alignment mark on the wafer; alignment detection means illuminated by said alignment illumination means for detecting the alignment light reflected from said alignment mark through said exposure reduction lens to align said wafer relative to said mask by said alignment mark; and a hologram provided in at least one of said alignment illumination means and said alignment detection means for compensating a wavefront aberration at the alignment wavelength of said exposure reduction lens.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
83 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 22 further comprising: means for scanning said wafer, wherein said alignment illumination means directs the illumination light to an illumination hologram and directs a diffracted light therefrom to the wafer while the wafer is scanned by said scan means, and said alignment detection means includes means for detecting the alignment mark on the wafer based on a change in time of the detection signal and a change in the scan position on the wafer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 22 wherein said alignment detector means includes a hologram and means for directing the reflected light from the alignment mark on the wafer to said detection hologram, and said alignment detection means includes are image sensor for detecting the diffracted light from said detection hologram.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 22 wherein said alignment illumination means includes an illumination hologram for illuminating the entire alignment mark on the wafer and directs the reflected light from the alignment mark to the detection hologram, and includes an image sensor for detecting the diffracted light from the detection hologram.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 22 wherein said alignment illumination means includes an illumination hologram directed to the alignment mark at different incident angles, and image combining means for combining images of the alignment mark illuminated by the illumination hologram.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
79 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 22 wherein said alignment illumination means includes illumination light source means for generating a plurality of wavelengths, and an illumination hologram illuminated by the illumination light emitted from said illumination light source means for generating illumination lights of different wavelengths for illuminating the alignment mark, and said alignment detection means includes means for combining a plurality of images of the alignment mark produced by the illumination lights of different wavelengths.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
62 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 22 wherein said alignment illumination means includes means for directing the illumination light having at least one of said plurality of wavelengths to the alignment mark at least two different incident angles, and said alignment detection means includes means for combining detection images of the alignment mark illuminated by said alignment illumination means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
83 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 22 wherein the hologram interference fringe is a pattern determined by a theoretical interference fringe determined by a wavefront (phase) of the light having the alignment light wavelength virtually emitted from the alignment mark on the wafer, including a wavefront aberration generated at a hologram position after the transmission of the light through the exposure reduction lens, and an amplitude of the light, and a wavefront (phase) and an amplitude of a reference light.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
55 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 22 further comprising: means for scanning the alignment illumination light on the fixed wafer by varying a relative position of said illumination hologram and the laser beam, wherein said alignment detection means scans the alignment illumination light to detect the alignment mark on the fixed wafer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
101 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 22 wherein said alignment illumination means includes said hologram and means for directing the laser beam transmitted through or reflected by said hologram to said exposure reduction lens, and said alignment illumination means illuminates a wafer area of a relatively narrow width substantially equal to a resolution width of a diffraction limit determined by a number of aperture of said exposure reduction lens and the wavelength, in a direction of detection of the position of the alignment mark on the wafer after the alignment light has passed through said exposure reduction lens.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
43 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 29 further comprising: means for correcting a wavefront at the alignment waveform by using a pattern of the hologram drawn by a charged particle beam or laser beam based on the theoretical interference fringe.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 30 wherein the means for scanning the alignment illumination light is light deflection means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
54 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 30 wherein said alignment detection means includes a hologram and means for directing the reflected light from the alignment mark on the wafer to said detection hologram, and said alignment detection means includes an image sensor for detecting the diffracted light from said detection hologram.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
83 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 31 further comprising: means for scanning said wafer, wherein said alignment illumination means directs the illumination light to an illumination hologram and directs a diffracted light therefrom to the wafer while the wafer is scanned by said scan means, and said alignment detection means includes means for detecting the alignment mark on the wafer based on a change in time of the detection signal and a change in the scan position on the wafer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 31 wherein said alignment illumination means includes an illumination hologram directed to the alignment mark at different incident angles, and image combining means for combining images of the alignment mark illuminated by the illumination hologram.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
79 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 31 wherein said alignment illumination means includes illumination light source means for generating a plurality of wavelengths, and an illumination hologram illuminated by the illumination light emitted from said illumination light source means for generating illumination lights of different wavelengths for illuminating the alignment mark, and said alignment detecttion means includes means for combining a plurality of images of the alignment mark produced by the illumination lights of different wavelengths.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
55 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 31 further comprising: means for scanning the alignment illumination light on the fixed wafer by varying a relative position of said illumination hologram and the laser beam, wherein said alignment detection means scans the alignment illumination light to detect the alignment mark on the fixed wafer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
54 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 38 wherein said alignment detection means includes a hologram and means for directing the reflected light from the alignment mark on the wafer to said detection hologram, and said alignment detection means includes an image sensor for detecting the diffracted light from said detection hologram.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical aligner for a semiconductor according to claim 38 wherein the means for scanning the alignment illumination light is light deflection means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-08-28 | 1993-02-27 | 1993-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-28 | 1997-02-27 | 1997-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-28 | 2001-02-27 | 2001-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |