Pitch Measurement of One-dimensional Gratings Using a Metrological Atomic Force Microscope and Uncertainty Evaluation

미터 소급성을 갖는 원자간력 현미경을 이용한 1차원 격자 피치 측정과 불확도 평가

  • 김종안 (한국표준과학연구원 광기술표준부 길이그룹) ;
  • 김재완 (한국표준과학연구원 광기술표준부 길이그룹) ;
  • 박병천 (한국표준과학연구원 광기술표준부 길이그룹) ;
  • 엄태봉 (한국표준과학연구원 광기술표준부 길이그룹) ;
  • 강주식 (한국표준과학연구원 광기술표준부 길이그룹)
  • Published : 2005.04.01

Abstract

We measured the pitch of one-dimensional (ID) grating specimens using a metrological atomic force microscope (M-AFM). The ID grating specimens a.e often used as a magnification standard in nano-metrology, such as scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thus, we need to certify the pitch of grating specimens fur the meter-traceability in nano-metrology. To this end, an M-AFM was setup at KRISS. The M-AFM consists of a commercial AFM head module, a two-axis flexure hinge type nanoscanner with built-in capacitive sensors, and a two-axis heterodyne interferometer to establish the meter-traceability directly. Two kinds of ID grating specimens, each with the nominal pitch of 288 nm and 700 nm, were measured. The uncertainty in pitch measurement was evaluated according to Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement. The pitch was calculated from 9 line scan profiles obtained at different positions with 100 ㎛ scan range. The expanded uncertainties (k = 2) in pitch measurement were 0.10 nm and 0.30 nm for the specimens with the nominal pitch of 288 nm and 700 nm. The measured pitch values were compared with those obtained using an optical diffractometer, and agreed within the range of the expanded uncertainty of pitch measurement. We also discussed the effect of averaging in the measurement of mean pitch using M-AFM and main components of uncertainty.

Keywords

References

  1. Diebold, A. C. and Joy, D., 'An analysis of techniques and future CD metrology needs,' Solid state technology, Vol. 46, No.7, pp. 63-72, 2003
  2. Semiconductor Industry Association, 'The National Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors,' 1999
  3. Postek, M. T., Vladar, A. E., Jones, S. N. and Keery, W. J.,'Interlaboratory study on the lithographically produced scanning electron microscope magnification standard prototype,' Journal of research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Vol. 98, No. 4, pp. 447-467, 1993 https://doi.org/10.6028/jres.098.033
  4. Nakayama, Y., Okazaki, S. and Sugimoto, A., 'Proposal for a new submicron dimension reference for an e-beam metrology system,' Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, Vol. B6, pp. ?1930-1933, 1988
  5. Meli, F., Thalman, R. and Blattner, P., 'High precision pitch calibration of gratings using laser diffractometry,' 1st international conference and general meeting of the euspen society for precision engineering and nanometrology, pp. 252-255, 1999
  6. Kim, J. A., Won, Y. S. and Park, B. C., 'Precision laser Diffractometer for Two-dimensional Grating Pitch Measurement,' Proceedings of Korea-Japan Joint Symposium on Nanoengineering (NANO 2003), pp. 336-339, 2003
  7. Meli, F. and Thalmann, R., 'Long-range AFM Profiler Used for Accurate Pitch Measurements,' Meas. Sci. Technol., Vol. 9, pp. 1087-1092, 1998 https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-0233/9/7/014
  8. Misumi, I., Gonda, S., Kurosawa, T. and Takamasu, K., 'Uncertainty in Pitch Measurements of One-Dimensional Grating Standards Using a Nanometrological Atomic Force Microscope,' Meas. Sci. Technol., Vol. 14, pp. 463-471, 2003 https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-0233/14/4/309
  9. Schneir, J., McWaid, T. H., Alexander, J. and Wilfley, B. P., 'Design of an Atomic Force Microscope with Interferometric Position Control,' J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B, Vol. 12, No. 6, pp. 3561-3566, 1994 https://doi.org/10.1116/1.587471
  10. Picotto, G. B. and Pisani, M., 'A Sample Scanning System with Nanometric Accuracy for Quantitative SPM Measurements,' Ultramicroscopy, Vol. 86, pp. 247-254, 2001 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3991(00)00112-1
  11. Hasche, K., Herrmann, K., Mirande, W., Seemann, R., Vitushkin, L., Xu, M. and Yu, G., 'Calibrated Scanning Force Microscope with Capabilities in the Subnanometre Range,' Surface and Interface Analysis, Vol. 33, pp. 71-74, 2002 https://doi.org/10.1002/sia.1164
  12. Kim, J. A., Kim, J. W., Park, B. C., Eom, T. B. and Hong, J. W., 'Development of a metrological atomic force microscope for the length measurements of nanometer range,' Journal of Korean Society of Precision Engineering, Vol. 21, No. 11, Nov. 2004
  13. ISO, 'Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement,' 1993