lithoAPC Modules

lithoAPC Run to Run

Logo RuntoRun litho apc
Screenshot RuntoRun View with Wafer Panel and Diagram View
Screenshot RuntoRun View with Wafer Panel and Diagram View

Features

lithoAPC impresses with its modern design and user friendly user interface. The user can navigate between all features easily since the well structured architecture.

Comfortable user interface

All modules are integrated into the APC desktop application. The user interface combines all functionality to setup, monitor and control the APC control. In details this covers:
  • visualize measurement and process data
  • create, delete and setup all master data
  • control status of master data
  • visualize and compare all analysis results and intermediate information including
    • systematic failure
    • value and residual statistics
    • residuals
  • trigger manual analysis for single or selected runs
  • edit run context information or measurement values
  • access wafer visualizations
  • visualize the process time line in diagrams
  • access user management and system capabilities
  • connect to any lithoAPC server in the network
  • export and import functionality
  • copy of all table information
The ongoing development of the system will produce frequent new modules and new features accessible in the user interface. Screenshot RuntoRun View Screenshot RuntoRun View

Master data and parametrization

lithoAPC is completely configurable via master data. Any master data item can be an instruction or some piece of information, which is required for the analysis like wafer layout, target set, parameter model.
New master data implementations but also customer’s master databases are accepted and enable functional extensions of the system.
Master data can be parametrized. Such parameters are evaluated dynamically during the analysis. In this case the values are evaluated at the first request for the given run.

LVHM production support

LVHM (Low Volume – High Mix) FABs have special requirements. lithoAPC is focusing on those needs to provide best performance for production and optimal user experience for the engineers.

Optimal througput

The focus of lithoAPC is on high prediction quality of the offset values and exposure settings for the process tool. Based on modern filter technologies, lithoAPC selects the optimal set of former exposures to calculate best offset values and exposure energy.
Especially in logic FABs (LVHM) pilot wafers are needed for product ramp up and after tool maintenance. lithoAPC address the pilot wafer use cases and provides approaches to avoid or to reduce the need of pilot wafers.

Real time support

lithoAPC always uses actual data. Some predictions of startup values analyse data for 6 month and more. The time for calculation new starting values is critical because it is tool time. lithoAPC provides all data within the shortest time possible (98%: <1s; 2%<3s).

Configurable R2R controller

The integrated R2R Controller is a complex and configurable controller. It already supports all common photo lithography use cases. With this control, even the most demanding applications of the exposure process in terms of R2R configuration and start value generation become simple

Extendible and modular system architecture

lithoAPC is expandable. All features are implemented based on a modular architecture and are dynamically bind during run time. New features can be easily integrated into the system – independent, whether they are provided by BlueLine AG, the IT department of the FAB or any 3rd party. litho apc architecture

Advanced merge approach

Incoming data is automatically merged with existing process information for the same lot and layer. The merge algorithm recognizes the correct sequence of exposures and measurements. Even complex use cases like tool aborts, reworks and splits are handled by the software.

merge stradegies litho apc

Default values

Incoming data is automatically merged with existing process information for the same lot and layer. The merge algorithm recognizes the correct sequence of exposures and measurements. Even complex use cases like tool aborts, reworks and splits are supported.

Standard prediction

lithoAPC allows to calculate starting values for the process tool. This calculation is based on reference runs with similar process conditions. The standard case greps a specific number of reference runs. Based on these runs, a R2R controller calculates the optimum starting parameters using the configured controller. By default an EWMA controller is used (enhanced weighted moving average). This controller can be replaced with other approaches.
The system allows to run several controllers in parallel. Each controller will manage a predefined subset of all starting parameters. This offers the greatest flexibility for all applications in photo lithography.

User definable R2R levels with fall back

The system can be setup using R2R levels. With this approach, the entire process can be described from a R2R perspective. Especially for high mix production lines and tool mix without dedication, the R2R level support groups e.g. for similar tools or products. This apporach has proven itself in many advanced logic FABs over years. The use of R2R levels provides full access to all filter functions like

  • flexible selection of filter criteria
  • dynamic filter criteria (dynamically
    evaluated
    based on customer sources)
  • virtual grouping
  • grouping by target or gradient values

RuntoRun levels litho apc

Selectable optimization strategy (default: EWMA)

The selected historical runs are optimized with an assigned optimizer. By default, EWMA is being used, but the user can replace it with any other optimizer.

Control flow using UseApc flag

The R2R functionality is enabled by default and can be disabled for selected processes. If APC is disabled the default values are being used.

Virtual grouping

virtual groupingThere are logic products, which are identical up to a certain process layer. Technically those products fit into the same controller group – but due to different product names these products often are handled completely independent of each other. To avoid pilot wafers runs and in order to learn from the other products within the group, lithoAPC enables the declaration of virtual product groups.

Unique 2-phase streaming data filter

The common database filtering method is applied on database level. In addition a second filter is applied on system level, which takes care for all sophisticated filter criteria like dynamic context information. To ensure fastest response times a life stream to the database is used for filters, flier checks and validations. The filter supports complex criteria based on the current run context as well on any context information in the MES system. It includes the status information, scope of time and more. Without any additional effort, the user can filter – for example – by reference layer information or a process tool.

data filter litho apc

Flier elimination

The calculation of the startup values is based on previous runs and their optimal process conditions. The system expects a continuous distribution and tests the data quality. The flier elimination will detect and remove all runs, which do not follow the common behavior. Flier elimination is based on a combination of absolute flier limits and the definition of relative tunnels. flier emilation

Constraint check on start-up data

The reference data should follow a predefined minimum quality. This quality level is defined based on rules. In case of any violation of the user-defined data range the software allows to trigger a pilot wafer to validate the process.

Use constraints

The reference data should follow a predefined minimum quality. This quality level is defined based on rules. In case of any violation, which can be used to trigger a pilot wafer.

Full inline support for any tool and tool type combinations

The system distinguishes between different tool types. Logical controller groups are supported. Logical controllers can combine data or allows to split data into distinct groups.

Included graphical user interface with easy access to all data and each detail of the controller setup

The extendible user interface allows easy access to all data from any client. The platform approach supports the seamless integration of new modules.

Full traceability of all data including controller setup

The system stores all exposure and measurement activities – no data is lost. lithoAPC will assign the correct measurement to the appropriate exposure entry. Aborted exposures and re-measurements are still stored in the database and provide a complete, unfiltered view of the activities in photo lithography. The existing complete time line allows to simulate the process with changed process setup for any time frame in the past.

Reset management

Some process issues require to disable selected runs. Such runs are never used for any calculation. But these runs are still stored and visible in the user interface.

Charting

All diagramming is based on a separate module called “Statistics module”. It allows to define diagram templates for various visualization types and to combine those with analysis and R2R data. Finally, the templates can be called from the analysis or R2R modules to visualize the currently selected runs.

This template approach is a very efficient and flexible. It supports advanced diagramming features like:

  • various diagramming types
  • scatter plot
  • box plot
  • pie charts
  • bar plot
  • probability plot
  • table output
  • event time line
  • histogram and normal
  • distribution chart
boxplot diagram in Diagram View
scatterplot diagram in Diagram View
event-timeline diagram in Diagram View

In addition the data can be group into distinct charts or series based on the run context.

Gradient monitor

lithoAPC provides capabilities to monitor and upgrade the gradient information. This includes comparing runs from different processes and their behavior and finding similarities and differences. The effort for test runs to update the gradient can be reduced and the production quality can be increased.

Integrated baseline correction

The integrated baseline correction is an advanced feature. Process parameters are not only subject of process behavior. There are also dependencies on the substrate, maintenance activities, resist batches or mask size. Often the impact is just an offset (bias) to the initial baseline. lithoAPC allows to specify such baseline offsets. With this information all available data can be used to predict new starting values even if the data are at different baseline levels. There is no need to delete any data and there is no need to run additional any pilot wafers.

R2R baseline correction

Best matching view

Different master data are implemented as look-up tables and allow the definition of parameters.
The parameters are each assigned to a set of context values that correspond to the respective processes.
The “Best Matching View” provides a quick overview of the lockup tables and the parameters for a specific run.

Source Code Option

Every APC solution is a critical part of semiconductor production. This concerns both the availability of the APC solution and the support for new requirements. We offer a source-code option for the APC solution, which allows you to integrate your own modules, implement new functions and, if required, continue to develop the solution independently.

lithoAPC Critical Dimension

Logo Critical Dimension module litho apc
Screenshot Critical Dimension View with Waferfield Panel and Diagram Panel
Screenshot Critical Dimension View with Waferfield Panel and Diagram Panel

Features

lithoAPC impresses with its modern design and user friendly user interface.
The user can navigate between all features easily since the well structured architecture.

Comfortable user interface

All modules are integrated into the APC desktop application. The user interface combines all functionality to setup, monitor and control the APC control. In details this covers:

  • visualize measurement and process data
  • create, delete and setup all master data
  • control status of master data
  • visualize and compare all analysis results and intermediate information including
    • systematic failure
    • value and residual statistics
    • residuals
  • trigger manual analysis for single or selected runs
  • edit run context information or measurement values
  • access wafer visualizations
  • visualize the process time line in diagrams
  • access user management and system capabilities
  • connect to any lithoAPC server in the network
  • export and import functionality
  • copy of all table information
  •  

The ongoing development of the system will produce frequent new modules and new features accessible in the user interface.

Screenshot RuntoRun view

Master data and parametrization

lithoAPC is completely configurable via master data. Any master data item can be an instruction or some piece of information, which is required for the analysis like wafer layout, target set, parameter model.
New master data implementations but also customer’s master databases are accepted and enable functional extensions of the system.
Master data can be parametrized. Such parameters are evaluated dynamically during the analysis. In this case the values are evaluated at the first request for the given run.

Workflow based

analysis workflowThe analysis of lithoAPC is document and work-flow based. The work-flow is defined by the engineers in the master data. It contains the general flow of dedicated analysis steps and their settings. The document approach ensures, that all details of the analysis is collected into a single document, which is stored in the system database. It can be reviewed by the engineer at any time.

Fine alignment

The target locations provided by measurement tools usually do correspond to the design coordinates. If a target set of the design information is provided, lithoAPC calculates the wafer shift and corrects the target location to the real design coordinates. Furthermore, recipe issues are detected and the measurement is rejected.

Flier elimination

The calculation of the startup values is based on previous runs and their optimal process conditions. The system expects a continuous distribution and tests the data quality. The flier elimination will detect and remove all runs, which do not follow the common behavior.
Flier elimination is based on a combination of absolute flier limits and the definition of relative tunnels.flier emilation

Data validation

All misalignment data are subject for a flier elimination. The elimination accepts absolute and relative borders. The flier elimination is applied to the residuals after the analysis is done. This ensures a maximum of sensitivity for the flier elimination even with respect for systematic failiure.

Standard analysis

By default the analysis is done by a Gaussian solver. This is different from other CD analysis system which usually are based on statistics only. The solver is model based and allows to introduce any kind of parameter model to the analysis. Now the correction could be sensitive to projection problem, which might be dependent on radius or any other coordinate.
lithoAPC combines the Gaussian solver with row and column weighting to support different specification and with respect to the different value ranges of the systematic failures.
This approach allows to extrapolate the systematic based on an measurement and to generate a shot correction map for the exposure recipe.

Qualification step

lithoAPC has an integrated rule based qualification function. The user defined rules are applied on the input and output values or the work flow. As result of the qualification check messages for the MES system are generated, which can be used to control the next process steps of the lot.

Charting

All diagramming is based on a separate module called “Statistics module”. It allows to define diagram templates for various visualization types and to combine those with analysis and R2R data. Finally, the templates can be called from the analysis or R2R modules to visualize the currently selected runs.

This template approach is a very efficient and flexible. It supports advanced diagramming features like:

various diagramming types

  • scatter plot
  • box plot
  • pie charts
  • bar plot
  • probability plot
  • table output
  • event time line
  • histogram and normal
  • distribution chart
boxplot diagram in Diagram View
scatterplot diagram in Diagram View
event-timeline diagram in Diagram View

In addition the data can be group into distinct charts or series based on the run context.

Grouping

The software allows to measure several features with one single recipe. All features are assigned to separate groups. A single group or a combination of groups can be used for R2R control (APC). For other groups a simple statistics is calculated and a specification test is performed.

Multivariate Constraint Optimizer

The “Advanced Solver” is a unique approach to find the best corrective values for a given lot. The solver takes care for very specific configurations like: it accepts targets from different features with different specifications to calculate the correction  it accept target specific specifications and optimizes according to the probability of a specification violation. The solver minimizes the maximum failure. The user can use the specification to fine tune lithoAPC for the chip design. The solver will access any parameter model configured by the user for the process tool.

improvement Overlay view litho apc

Gradient Monitor

lithoAPC analyzes the effective gradient based on productive runs. This allows the engineer to update the configured gradient continuously.The need for test runs to find the optimum gradient will be reduced.

Source Code Option

Every APC solution is a critical part of semiconductor production. This concerns both the availability of the APC solution and the support for new requirements. We offer a source-code option for the APC solution, which allows you to integrate your own modules, implement new functions and, if required, continue to develop the solution independently. 

lithoAPC Overlay

Logo Overlay module litho apc

Features

lithoAPC impresses with its modern design and user friendly user interface.
The user can navigate between all features easily since the well structured architecture.

The analysis features address all needs of a modern chip production. The features support high end production as well logic FABs like chip production for automotive, mobile devices or sensors.
lithoAPC support sophisticated exposure approaches like:

  • standard exposure
  • multiple exposures
  • double exposure
  • multiple images
  • mixed products
  • stiched products
  • first layer analysis
  • wide field exposures based on advanced mathematical algorithms lithoAPC provides the optimal results for
    • systematic failures
    • statistics

In addition the system provides internal information about the analysis to support the engineers with helpful information about the process setup and the analysis flow.

Screenshot Overlay View with Field Definition and Statistics Panel
Screenshot Overlay View with Field Definition and Statistics Panel

Comfortable user interface

All modules are integrated into the APC desktop application. The user interface combines all functionality to setup, monitor and control the APC control. In details this covers:

  • visualize measurement and process data visualize
  • create, delete and setup all master data
  • control status of master data
  • visualize and compare all analysis results and
    intermediate information including
    • systematic failure
    • value and residual statistics
    • residuals
  • trigger manual analysis for single or selected runs
  • edit run context information or measurement values
  • access wafer visualizations
  • visualize the process time line in diagrams
  • access user management and system capabilities
  • connect to any lithoAPC server in the network
  • export and import functionality
  • copy of all table information
  •  

The ongoing development of the system will produce frequent new modules and new features accessible in the user interface.

UserInterface litho apc

Master data and parametrization

APC completely is configurable by master data. Any master data item can be an active item – like an active analysis step – or a passive item, which is required for the analysis like wafer layout, target set, parameter model.
New master data implementations are accepted and allow easy functional enhancements to the system. Every master data item can be parametrized. In this case the values are evaluated with the first request for the given run.

All features can be enabled or disabled. The master data controls all activated features in detail. The parametrized work flow contains all activated steps of the analysis.

Workflow based

The analysis of lithoAPC is document and work-flow based. The work-flow is defined by the engineers in the master data. It contains the general flow of dedicated analysis steps and their settings. The document approach ensures, that all details of the analysis is collected into a single document, which is stored in the system database. It can be reviewed by the engineer at any time.

analysis workflow

Fine alignment

The target locations provided by measurement tools usually do correspond to the design coordinates. If a target set of the design information is provided, lithoAPC calculates the wafer shift and corrects the target location to the real design coordinates. Furthermore, recipe issues are detected and the measurement is rejected.

Flier elimination

The calculation of the startup values is based on previous runs and their optimal process conditions. The system expects a continuous distribution and tests the data quality. The flier elimination will detect and remove all runs, which do not follow the common behavior.
Flier elimination is based on a combination of absolute flier limits and the definition of relative tunnels.

flier emilation

Data validation

All incoming data are validated against limit values. This allows to mark targets with unreliable values or to remove values already flagged by the measurement tool.

Standard analysis

By default the analysis is done by a Gaussian solver. In these days this is status quo for most Overlay analysis systems. It is the “Solid Rock” approach usable for most use cases. lithoAPC combines the Gaussian solver with row and column weighting to support different specifications respects different value ranges of the systematic failures. The standard solver supports any kind of parameter model including
  • stepper/ scanner
  • wide field stepper
  • HOPC – high order parameter models
  • CPE – correction per exposure
The analysis provides the systematic failure based on the parameter. This systematic failure will be sent to the R2R system to correct the process accordingly.

Qualification step

lithoAPC has an integrated rule based qualification function. The user defined rules are applied on the input and output values or the work flow. As result of the qualification check messages for the MES system are generated, which can be used to control the next process steps of the lot.

Charting

All diagramming is based on a separate module called “Statistics module”. It allows to define diagram templates for various visualization types and to combine those with analysis and R2R data. Finally, the templates can be called from the analysis or R2R modules to visualize the currently selected runs.

This template approach is a very efficient and flexible. It supports advanced diagramming features like:

various diagramming types

  • scatter plot
  • box plot
  • pie charts
  • bar plot
  • probability plot
  • table output
  • event time line
  • histogram and normal
  • distribution chart
boxplot diagram in Diagram View
scatterplot diagram in Diagram View
event-timeline diagram in Diagram View

In addition the data can be group into distinct charts or series based on the run context.

Multivariate Constraint Optimizer

The “Advanced Solver” is a unique approach to find the best corrective values for a given lot. The solver takes care for very specific configurations like: it accepts targets from different features with different specifications to calculate the correction  it accept target specific specifications and optimizes according to the probability of a specification violation. The solver minimizes the maximum failure. The user can use the specification to fine tune lithoAPC for the chip design. The solver will access any parameter model configured by the user for the process tool.

improvement Overlay view

Pre - Bias

lithoAPC support preBias. This analysis step removes a given systematic from the measured misalignment. It allows to correct a known systematic of the measured targets.

Post - Bias

The postBias analysis step add a systematic failure to the result of the analysis. A tool introduced failure of the next process step can get compensated.

Source Code Option

Every APC solution is a critical part of semiconductor production. This concerns both the availability of the APC solution and the support for new requirements. We offer a source-code option for the APC solution, which allows you to integrate your own modules, implement new functions and, if required, continue to develop the solution independently.

lithoAPC Master data

Logo Master Data module litho apc
Screenshot Master Data with all Panels
Screenshot Master Data with all Panels

Features

“Master data” are all control information used to build and setup the workflow for any LithoAPC activity.
Master data might be very simple values or complex data structures.
The master data parametrization allows to adapt the master data with process specific settings depending on the current run. The system accepts any new type of master data – which allows to add workflow steps and needed data.

  • Hierarchical structure
  • Internal, powerful query engine to select the correct master data
  • Comfortable master data editor
  • State flow to control impact of master data
  • Master data allow to
  • Dynamically adjust the workflow (translate master data)
  • Use customer specific parametrization to evaluate specific values for current run
  • Minimal maintenance effort and maximal flexibility

Analysis workflow

All activities are workflow based. An analysis document is processed by several sequential steps. The workflow is under full control of the user.

  • A workflow can be
  • Dynamically changed (enhance workflow for current run)
  • Parametrized (use run specific process setup for all calculations)

The analysis document is stored in the database. It contains all details of any analysis step. The user has full access to all details within this document.analysis workflow

Architecture

  • PlugIn architecture
  • Supports flexible, user specific deployment
  • Allows to add new functionality or to rem
  • ove
    functionality
  • Extensible (by user and 3rd party)
  • Existing (productive) modules:
  • R2R, CD, OV, MasterData, Statistics
  • Modules in work:
  • CMP, WaferLayout management, User management

architecture litho apc server

Integration

  • Flexible integration into any infrastructure
  • Tool connection implemented by customer specific agents
  • Connect by MessageBus, Web-Service calls or other protocols
  • Database connection implemented using Hibernate
    (support for all common database management systems)
  • Scalable & configurable deployment
  • Runs single or multiple servers
  • Dedicated server for online requests
    (process tools)
  • Hosted on shared or distinct physical servers
  • Proven on virtual infrastructure
  • Requirements
    • 12 GByte memory
    • 500 GByte storage
    • 1 GBit network interface
    • i7 Quad-core CPU
    • Oracle 9 ++
      (or SqlServer, MySql, Postgres, DB2)

integration litho apc desktop to server