Abstract :
Summary form only given. We begin by reviewing the design and manufacturing flow for modern integrated circuits. We then describe the vital role played by modeling, control, and optimization technologies in this design/manufacturing flow. Next, we present our efforts in developing metrology for lithography and plasma etching applications. These include temperature, etch-rate, and thermal flux sensors. Our sensors are fully self-contained with on board power, communications, and signal processing electronics. They externally resemble standard silicon wafers compatible with standard cassette-to-cassette robotics, and thus require no equipment modification for deployment. The sensors we have developed offer very fine spatial and time resolution, making them suitable for process optimization and control. We describe our efforts in using these sensors for feedback control of the photolithography process. We then discuss our efforts at commercializing this technology. We close with an overview of our most recent work on modeling, optimization, and control for a variety of problems including inverse lithography, proximity correction, double patterning, and design rule checking.
Keywords :
feedback; integrated circuit manufacture; optimisation; photolithography; sputter etching; design flow; double patterning; feedback control; inverse lithography; manufacturing flow; modern integrated circuits; optimization technologies; photolithography process; plasma etching; proximity correction; semiconductor manufacturing; thermal flux sensors; Communication system control; Design optimization; Etching; Integrated circuit manufacture; Integrated circuit technology; Lithography; Plasma temperature; Semiconductor device manufacture; Temperature sensors; Virtual manufacturing;
