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A nano-scale sketch on a millimeter-scale wafer Part 1

  • EUV Minimum Pitch Single Patterning by the Samsung Foundry

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Samsung Foundry recently presented a paper on the subject of EUV Minimum Pitch Single Patterning at the International Interconnect Technology Conference (IITC). We’ve prepared this post to help more people understand the paper, as well as characteristics of EUV technology. 1. Let’s start with photolithography. Photolithography is among the most critical steps in semiconductor processes. EUV, the hottest keyword in today’s semiconductor industry, is also a technology for photolithography. To better understand what EUV is, let’s have a closer look at photolithography.
A. Photolithography: the pre-carving sketch Before carving or cutting, we often sketch out the work to be done. This way, we ensure that we make the cuts and carves exactly where we plan. Photolithography is very similar to this sketching step. The semiconductor process can be described as a repetition of stacking and cutting. Using photolithography, we sketch out where these cuts will be made. B. Creating a blueprint We typically use tools like pens to create sketches. However, in photolithography, as the name suggests, uses light to imprint sketches onto film. This can be seen in [Figure 1]. First, a thin plate containing the desired pattern is created. The pattern on the plate either blocks or lets light through onto the film, creating the desired pattern. This plate used to control the light is called a “mask” or a “reticle”.
[Figure 1] Photolithography uses principles similar to taking a photo with a camera. In order to produce accurate patterns, the mask is created at a scale larger than the actual size of the pattern to be drawn. The size of the patterns is then reduced by focusing light through a central lens.
[Figure 1] Photolithography uses principles similar to taking a photo with a camera. In order to produce accurate patterns, the mask is created at a scale larger than the actual size of the pattern to be drawn. The size of the patterns is then reduced by focusing light through a central lens.
[Figure 1] Photolithography uses principles similar to taking a photo with a camera. In order to produce accurate patterns, the mask is created at a scale larger than the actual size of the pattern to be drawn. The size of the patterns is then reduced by focusing light through a central lens.
However, simply shining light on paper and creating a shadow will not engrave the shadow into the paper. We need the equivalent of film in a camera to imprint a pattern of the incident light. In photolithography, the PR (Photo Resist), which is applied before the light is shone through, plays this role. PR changes its properties in response to light. As shown in Figure [2], the PR is applied on the material to be cut, then light is shone through the mask. This alters the properties of the PR in the areas exposed to light. This alteration of properties allows for either the PR exposed to light or the PR not exposed to light to be selectively removed in the development step. In other words, the PR is left behind in the shape of the mask. This series of steps is called “patterning” because the pattern of the mark is developed on the material to be cut.
[Figure 2] There are two kinds of PR (Photo Resist). Using Positive PR, the parts not exposed to light remain after development.
[Figure 2] There are two kinds of PR (Photo Resist). Using Positive PR, the parts not exposed to light remain after development.
[Figure 2] There are two kinds of PR (Photo Resist). Using Positive PR, the parts not exposed to light remain after development. On the other hand, with Negative PR, only the parts exposed to light remain after development.
After the patterning step is a step of cutting the material, called “etching”. Etching (cutting) is carried out on the whole area at the same time. The PR remaining after development keeps the underlying material from being cut away, and allows the desired sketch to be produced. That was a brief explanation of the basic role and principles of the photolithography process. It would appear that photolithography is a rather simple process that involves little more than shining light through a mask. So why is it that the advancement of photolithography technology is garnering such attention from the semiconductor industry?
2. Why the need for advancement in photolithography? Scaling processes down – that is, producing semiconductors using even smaller transistors – involves overcoming many limitations. One of the hurdles involves photolithography. Then, what kinds of obstacles do we face in photolithography?
A. Light diffraction and interference hindering patterning Diffraction is a property in which light spreads out when passing through a narrow slit, while interference is a property in which two light waves meet and reinforce or cancel each other out. These are currently the two biggest obstacles to the patterning process in photolithography. As shown in Figure [3], light has a diffracting property, and cannot move in a straight line when passing through a narrow slit. Instead, it propagates as a fan-shaped wave radiating from the slit. The diffraction pattern tends to be broader if the slit is narrow or or wavelength is long.
Figure [3] In the two cases above, increased diffraction causes the wavelength to spread out farther. (a) → (b): longer wavelength (c) → (d) narrower slit
Figure [3] In the two cases above, increased diffraction causes the wavelength to spread out farther. (a) → (b): longer wavelength (c) → (d) narrower slit
Figure [3] In the two cases above, increased diffraction causes the wavelength to spread out farther. (a) → (b): longer wavelength (c) → (d) narrower slit
Further, when light passes through two or more slits and is diffracted at each, the diffraction patterns overlap and create an interference pattern, as shown in Figure [4]. This is not a problem when the slits and the distance between slits are sufficiently wide relative to the wavelength, as seen in (a) of Figure [4]. But if the slit and distance between slits are narrow, as seen in (b), it becomes impossible to develop the desired pattern accurately on the PR. In other words, the narrower the lines on the sketch and the less space there is between the lines, the more difficult it is to develop the sketch precisely.
Figure [4] When passing through narrower gaps, light creates wider diffraction patterns, causing interference across a broader area and preventing light from accurately reaching the intended areas.
Figure [4] When passing through narrower gaps, light creates wider diffraction patterns, causing interference across a broader area and preventing light from accurately reaching the intended areas.
Figure [4] When passing through narrower gaps, light creates wider diffraction patterns, causing interference across a broader area and preventing light from accurately reaching the intended areas.
As process technology advances, transistors are becoming ever smaller. Accordingly, the lines involved in photolithography are becoming narrower and more densely packed. This translates to ever-increasing difficulty of the photolithography process. Just how have we been able to overcome these photolithography obstacles?
3. Taking the long way around! There are several different ways to overcome the limitations posed by the properties of light. Let’s have a look at some examples of how issues related to diffraction and interference were overcome.
A. Multi Patterning Technology(MPT) - Multi passes if one isn’t enough! If the problem is interference between rays of diffracted light, then maybe we can spread the light rays farther apart? Placing the slits farther apart is one way to overcome the light diffraction problem. In Figure [5] (a), patterning is carried out using 4 slits. Here, as shown in (b) and (c), the 4 slits are divided into pairs, with the slits spaced farther apart. By patterning in this fashion, interference can be reduced.
Figure [5] If slit spacing is too small for proper patterning, as shown in (a), the process can be divided into two steps - (b) and (c) - with greater slit spacing, achieving the desired patterning
Figure [5] If slit spacing is too small for proper patterning, as shown in (a), the process can be divided into two steps - (b) and (c) - with greater slit spacing, achieving the desired patterning
Figure [5] If slit spacing is too small for proper patterning, as shown in (a), the process can be divided into two steps - (b) and (c) - with greater slit spacing, achieving the desired patterning
B. OPC - Too small? Make it larger. Too big? Make it smaller! In archery, if an arrow aimed at the center of the target veers off course in a certain direction, we correct for this error by adjusting our aim in the opposite direction. In other words, we recalculate our aim to compensate for the error. A similar approach can be employed when creating masks to correct for errors in patterning. This process is called Optical Proximity Correction (OPC). In this method, as shown in the process of Figure [6], the mask itself is intentionally distorted using feedback from the final outcome.
Figure [6] When processes (photolithography and etching) are carried out, the inherent properties of light can cause some portions to become thicker or thinner than the original pattern of the mask. In severe cases, parts of the pattern can disappear altogether or merge with an adjacent section. OPC involves modifying the shape of the mask itself based on these errors in the final product, so that the intended pattern can be produced.
Figure [6] When processes (photolithography and etching) are carried out, the inherent properties of light can cause some portions to become thicker or thinner than the original pattern of the mask. In severe cases, parts of the pattern can disappear altogether or merge with an adjacent section. OPC involves modifying the shape of the mask itself based on these errors in the final product, so that the intended pattern can be produced.
Figure [6] When processes (photolithography and etching) are carried out, the inherent properties of light can cause some portions to become thicker or thinner than the original pattern of the mask. In severe cases, parts of the pattern can disappear altogether or merge with an adjacent section. OPC involves modifying the shape of the mask itself based on these errors in the final product, so that the intended pattern can be produced.
4. Efforts for direct resolution. We have been overcoming limitations of the photolithography process due to the nature of light in various different ways. However, at the end of the day, the most fundamental solution to issues caused by the properties of light is to reduce the wavelength. We are consistently working on this fundamental solution of reducing wavelengths. In the next post, we will examine how wavelengths used in the photolithography process have evolved. We will also explore the characteristics of EUV, one of the hottest topics in today’s semiconductor industry.

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