High robustness of correlation-based alignment with Penrose patterns to marker damage in electron beam lithography

Docherty, K., Lister, K.A., Romijn, J. and Weaver, J.M.R. (2009) High robustness of correlation-based alignment with Penrose patterns to marker damage in electron beam lithography. Microelectronic Engineering, 86(4-6), pp. 532-534. (doi: 10.1016/j.mee.2008.11.037)

Abstract

Correlation-based alignment is an alternative alignment method for electron beam lithography. Using complex marker patterns, such as Penrose patterns, which contain more positional information, greater alignment accuracy can be achieved. Correlation-based alignment with Penrose patterns is less susceptible to marker edge defects, such as rat bites, roughness and flagging, since many more edges contribute to determining the marker position. There are however other defects associated with fabricating markers and this paper investigates how defects that result in parts of the pattern being omitted or obscured affect the correlation process when using Penrose pattern markers. We show that in both cases severely damaged markers can be used successfully and demonstrate fabricated structures with sub-5 nm alignment using markers with up to 80% of the marker pattern missing.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: MNE ’08 - The 34th International Conference on Micro- and Nano-Engineering (MNE)
• Keywords: Alignment, complexes, correlation, damage, electron beam, electron beam lithography, engineering, lithograph, marker damage, penrose patterns, physics, position, registration, roughness, science
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Docherty, Mr Kevin and Weaver, Professor Jonathan
• Authors: Docherty, K., Lister, K.A., Romijn, J., and Weaver, J.M.R.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: Microelectronic Engineering
• ISSN: 0167-9317