Computer-implemented methods for detecting and/or sorting defects in a design pattern of a reticle

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 7729529
APP PUB NO 20060291714A1
SERIAL NO

11005658

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Abstract

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Various computer-implemented methods are provided. One method for sorting defects in a design pattern of a reticle includes searching for defects of interest in inspection data using priority information associated with individual defects in combination with one or more characteristics of a region proximate the individual defects. The priority information corresponds to modulation levels associated with the individual defects. The inspection data is generated by comparing images of the reticle generated for different values of a lithographic variable. The images include at least one reference image and at least one modulated image. A composite reference image can be generated from two or more reference images. The method also includes assigning one or more identifiers to the defects of interest. The identifier(s) may include, for example, a defect classification and/or an indicator identifying if the defects of interest are to be used for further processing.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
KLA-TENCOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPONE TECHNOLOGY DRIVE MILPITAS CA 95035

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Gao, Lisheng Morgan Hill, US 61 1143
Kowalski, Michal Santa Cruz, US 8 312
Kulkarni, Ashok San Jose, US 27 1921
Nafisi, Kourosh Los Altos, US 10 155
Peterson, Ingrid B Menlo Park, US 8 549
Randall, David Sunnyvale, US 34 775
Tribble, Ariel Fremont, US 3 205
Wu, Kenong Davis, US 35 718
Ynzunza, Ramon Milpitas, US 3 142

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