Photomask with detector for optimizing an integrated circuit...

Radiation imagery chemistry: process – composition – or product th – Radiation modifying product or process of making – Radiation mask

Reexamination Certificate

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

C430S311000, C700S121000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07910269

ABSTRACT:
A photomask for integrated circuit production comprising a substrate, one or more layers and a detector for monitoring a process parameter of the integrated circuit production in combination with one or more of the following: communication circuitry for communicating with external equipment for the integrated circuit production, a computational processor for analyzing the monitored process parameter, and a data storage component. In addition, a method of integrated circuit production comprising the steps of providing a photomask in the integrated circuit production process and monitoring a process parameter of the integrated circuit production using the photomask, in combination with one or more following steps: analyzing the monitored process parameter using the photomask; communicating the monitored process parameter from the photomask to external equipment involved in the integrated circuit production; and storing the monitored process parameter in the photomask. For example, the photomask embodying aspects of the present invention may monitor and track the process parameter of a stepper during the integrated circuit production. The monitored data may be analyzed against the production information to determine possible adjustment or alteration to the integrated circuit production steps.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4014602 (1977-03-01), Ruell
patent: 4477182 (1984-10-01), Takanashi et al.
patent: 4576439 (1986-03-01), Gale et al.
patent: 4662653 (1987-05-01), Greenaway
patent: 4663625 (1987-05-01), Yewen
patent: 5361307 (1994-11-01), Hartley et al.
patent: 5379131 (1995-01-01), Yamazaki
patent: 5528402 (1996-06-01), Parker
patent: 5734752 (1998-03-01), Knox
patent: 5790703 (1998-08-01), Wang
patent: 5909313 (1999-06-01), Lee
patent: 5949055 (1999-09-01), Fleet et al.
patent: 6001510 (1999-12-01), Meng et al.
patent: 6057082 (2000-05-01), Korth
patent: 6127069 (2000-10-01), Balz et al.
patent: 6160782 (2000-12-01), Kayanuma et al.
patent: 6207330 (2001-03-01), Balz et al.
patent: 6337752 (2002-01-01), Heckenkamp et al.
patent: 6359734 (2002-03-01), Staub et al.
patent: 6421013 (2002-07-01), Chung
patent: 6449377 (2002-09-01), Rhoads
patent: 6597427 (2003-07-01), Katsu et al.
patent: 6610351 (2003-08-01), Shchegolikhin et al.
patent: 6610446 (2003-08-01), Lercel
patent: 6614235 (2003-09-01), Kraz
patent: 6693432 (2004-02-01), Kraz
patent: 6700385 (2004-03-01), Kraz
patent: 6706314 (2004-03-01), Butland
patent: 6734931 (2004-05-01), Yu
patent: 6740472 (2004-05-01), Karasev
patent: 6780564 (2004-08-01), Lawandy et al.
patent: 6822769 (2004-11-01), Drinkwater et al.
patent: 6855463 (2005-02-01), Lassiter et al.
patent: 6860927 (2005-03-01), Kuntz et al.
patent: 6882737 (2005-04-01), Lofgren et al.
patent: 6887650 (2005-05-01), Shimoda et al.
patent: 6894766 (2005-05-01), West et al.
patent: 6903850 (2005-06-01), Kay et al.
patent: 6924088 (2005-08-01), Mui et al.
patent: 6964837 (2005-11-01), Schrof et al.
patent: 7057259 (2006-06-01), Arikado et al.
patent: 7063924 (2006-06-01), Kaminsky et al.
patent: 7108171 (2006-09-01), Ergo et al.
patent: 7108945 (2006-09-01), Sutani et al.
patent: 7204419 (2007-04-01), Lizotte et al.
patent: 7220535 (2007-05-01), Lawandy et al.
patent: 7234645 (2007-06-01), Silverbrook et al.
patent: 7265904 (2007-09-01), Schilling et al.
patent: 7281810 (2007-10-01), Lee
patent: 7529385 (2009-05-01), Lawandy et al.
patent: 7790340 (2010-09-01), Progler
patent: 2002/0037461 (2002-03-01), VanDer Werf et al.
patent: 2002/0167653 (2002-11-01), Mulkens et al.
patent: 2003/0052691 (2003-03-01), Kraz
patent: 2003/0143472 (2003-07-01), Koizumi et al.
patent: 2003/0179277 (2003-09-01), Stadler et al.
patent: 2004/0043308 (2004-03-01), Lutz et al.
patent: 2004/0121268 (2004-06-01), Conroy et al.
patent: 2004/0169516 (2004-09-01), Kraz
patent: 2005/0008944 (2005-01-01), Cerrina et al.
patent: 2005/0019680 (2005-01-01), Pinchen
patent: 2005/0056441 (2005-03-01), Rider et al.
patent: 2005/0134463 (2005-06-01), Yamazaki
patent: 2006/0043197 (2006-03-01), Chang et al.
patent: 2006/0154180 (2006-07-01), Kannurpatti
patent: 2007/0037070 (2007-02-01), Ohnuma et al.
patent: 2007/0148599 (2007-06-01), True
patent: 2007/0218667 (2007-09-01), Rider
Nomura, Hiroski and Furutono, Yohko, “In-situ polarimetry of illumination for 193-nm lithography.” Proc. of SPIE vol. 6924 69241T, (2008), Optical Microlithography XXI, pp. 1-12.
Zanzal, Andrew, “Benchmark Technologies and Estion Sign Distribution Agreement for Insitu Electric Field Test Reticle,” dated Feb. 2, 2009, Benchmark Technologies, Inc., Lynnfield, Massachusetts.
Zanzal, Andrew, “Benchmark Technologies and Estion Sign Distribution Agreement for Insitu Electric Field Test Reticle,” dated Feb. 13, 2009, Benchmark Technologies, Inc., Lynnfield Massachusetts.

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for the USA inventors and patents. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Photomask with detector for optimizing an integrated circuit... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Photomask with detector for optimizing an integrated circuit..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Photomask with detector for optimizing an integrated circuit... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2770684

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.