Abstract: A method of configuring a mark having a trench to be etched into a substrate, the method including: obtaining a relation between an extent of height variation across a surface of a probationary layer deposited on a probationary trench of a probationary depth and a thickness of the probationary layer; determining an extent of height variation across the surface of a layer deposited on the mark allowing a metrology system to determine a position of the mark; and configuring the mark by determining a depth of the trench based on the relation, the extent of height variation and the thickness of a process layer to be deposited on the mark.

Abstract: A micromirror array includes a substrate, a plurality of mirrors for reflecting incident radiation, and for each mirror of the plurality of mirrors, a respective post connecting the substrate to the respective mirror. The micromirror array further includes, for each mirror of the plurality of mirrors, one or more electrostatic actuators connected to the substrate for applying force to the respective post to displace the respective post relative to the substrate, thereby displacing the respective mirror. Also disclosed is a method of forming such a micromirror array. The micromirror array may be used in a programmable illuminator. The programmable illuminator may be used in a lithographic apparatus and/or in an inspection apparatus.

Abstract: A method for determining an optimized weighting of an encoder and decoder network; the method comprising: for each of a plurality of test weightings, performing the following steps with the encoder and decoder operating using the test weighting: (a) encoding, using the encoder, a reference image and a distorted image into a latent space to form an encoding; (b) decoding the encoding, using the decoder, to form a distortion map indicative of a difference between the reference image and a distorted image; (c) spatially transforming the distorted image by the distortion map to obtain an aligned image; (d) comparing the aligned image to the reference image to obtain a similarity metric; and (e) determining a loss function which is at least partially defined by the similarity metric; wherein the optimized weighting is determined to be the test weighting which has an optimized loss function.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of processing data derived from a sample, comprising processing an initial data set of elements derived from a detection by a detector for calibration, the data set comprising elements representing nuisance signals and detection signals. The processing of the initial data set comprising: fitting a distribution model to the initial data set to create a nuisance distribution model; setting a signal strength value, and selecting elements in the initial data set having a magnitude greater than the signal strength value as a set of defect candidates; fitting a distribution model to the set of defect candidates to create a defect distribution model of detection signals; and determining a signal strength threshold dependent on at least the defect distribution model. The determining comprising correcting the defect distribution model.

Abstract: A charged particle-optical device for projecting a plurality of charged particle beams along respective beam paths towards a sample location, the charged particle-optical device comprising: a charged particle-optical assembly configured to manipulate the charged particle beams, the charged particle-optical assembly comprising a first charged particle-optical element comprising a plate having one or more apertures around a beam path of the charged particle beams; and an electrical connector configured to electrically connect the plate of the first charged particle-optical element to an electrical power source, wherein the electrical connector: comprises a shield configured to define a field free region substantially free of electric fields; and is configured to be electrically connectable to a flexible coupling configured to electrically connect the plate of the first charged particle-optical element to the electrical power source, the flexible coupling located within the field free region.

Abstract: A substrate arrangement for use in a lithographic apparatus, the substrate arrangement including: a resist; a photosensitive resist under-layer; and a substrate, wherein an exposure threshold of the resist under-layer is lower than an exposure threshold of the resist. The resist and the resist under-layer may be both photosensitive to EUV radiation.

Abstract: An improved systems and methods for generating a denoised inspection image are disclosed. An improved method for generating a denoised inspection image comprises acquiring an inspection image; generating a first denoised image by executing a first type denoising algorithm on the inspection image; and generating a second denoised image by executing a second type denoising algorithm on the first denoised image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for calculating a corrected substrate height map of a first substrate using a height level sensor. The method comprises: sampling the first substrate by means of the height level sensor with the first substrate moving with a first velocity, wherein the first velocity is a first at least partially non-constant velocity of the first substrate with respect to the height level sensor, to generate a first height level data, generating a first height map based on the first height level data, and calculating a corrected substrate height map by subtracting a correction map from the first height map, wherein the correction map is calculated from the difference between a first velocity height map and a second velocity height map.

Abstract: A method for predicting a property associated with a product unit. The method may include: obtaining a plurality of data sets, wherein each of the plurality of data sets includes data associated with a spatial distribution of a parameter across the product unit; representing each of the plurality of data sets as a multidimensional object; obtaining a convolutional neural network model trained with previously obtained multidimensional objects and properties of previous product units; and applying the convolutional neural network model to the plurality of multidimensional objects representing the plurality of data sets, to predict the property associated with the product unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for image enhancement are disclosed. A method for enhancing an image may include acquiring a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image. The method may also include simulating diffused charge associated with a position of the SEM image. The method may further include providing an enhanced SEM image based on the SEM image and the diffused charge.

Abstract: A charged particle assessment apparatus for detecting defects in samples by scanning a charged particle beam across a sample; the apparatus comprising: a detector unit configured to output a digital detection signal of pixel values in response to signal particles incident from the sample, the pixel values representing elongate pixels.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus comprising an optical element having a reflective surface for reflecting incident radiation in a beam path, and at least one sensor configured to sense radiation corresponding to a temperature of a respective portion of a backside surface of the optical element. Also disclosed is a method of controlling a temperature of a reflective surface of an optical element in a lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: Spots of illumination directed at a target are described. Ghost reflections often prevalent in wafer alignment sensors are reduced or eliminated. First, second, and third optical elements are described. The first optical element receives illumination along a first axis, reflects a first portion of the illumination away from the first axis, and transmits a second portion of the illumination along the first axis. The second first optical element receives the first portion of the reflected illumination and at least partially reflects a third portion of the illumination along a second axis. The third first optical element receives and fully reflects a fourth portion of the illumination along a third axis. The second portion, third and fourth portions of the illumination are directed toward the target at different angles relative to each other to create three different spots of illumination.

Abstract: A charged particle-optical apparatus for assessing a sample at an assessment location, the charged particle-optical apparatus comprising: an assessment charged particle-optical device configured to project an assessment charged particle beam along an assessment beam path toward an assessment location, the assessment charged particle beam for assessing a sample at the assessment location; a preparatory charged particle-optical device configured to project a preparatory charged particle beam along a preparatory beam path, the preparatory charged particle beam for preparing a sample for assessment; and a light source configured to project a light beam toward an illumination location; wherein a locational relationship between the illumination location and the assessment charged particle-optical device is different from a locational relationship between the assessment location and the assessment charged particle-optical device.

Abstract: Systems directed to a stage apparatus in an electron beam inspection tool to inspect a sample are disclosed. The stage apparatus comprises a short stroke stage; a long stroke stage; a first sensor configured to measure a position of the short stroke stage with respect to a measurement reference; one or more roller bearings configured to support the long stroke stage; and a controller having circuitry and configured to control a motion of the long stroke stage and a motion of the short stroke stage for following movement of the reference at least partly based on measurement from the first sensor, wherein the controller is operable such that control of the long stroke stage is decoupled from the movement of the reference in at least a part of operation of the stage apparatus for reducing debris generation of the one or more roller bearings.

Abstract: A substrate holder for use in a lithographic apparatus and configured to support a substrate, the substrate holder having a main body having a main body surface, a plurality of main burls projecting from the main body surface, wherein each main burl has a distal end surface configured to support the substrate, a first seal member projecting from the main body surface and having an upper surface, the first seal member surrounding the plurality of main burls and configured to restrict the passage of liquid between the substrate and the main body surface radially inward past the first seal member, and a plurality of minor burls projecting from the upper surface of the first seal member, wherein each minor burl has a distal end surface configured to support the substrate.

Abstract: A system for measuring the difference between a property of a first target and a property of a second target, the system comprising a first member and a second member, wherein the first member comprises a first pattern, and the speed of rotation of the first member is configured to be based on the property of the first target; and the second member comprises a second pattern wherein, the speed of rotation of the second member is configured to be based on the property of the second target, further wherein the first and second pattern are angularly-varying and are configured to generate an interference pattern by their interaction when the first and second members have a relative difference in their rotational speeds, the interference pattern being indicative of the magnitude of this difference.

Abstract: The invention provides a wavelength tracking system comprising a wavelength tracking unit and an interferometer system. The wavelength tracking unit has reflection surfaces at stabile positions providing a first reflection path with a first path length and a second reflection path with a second path length. The first path length is substantially larger than the second path length.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for transferring fluid to a stage in a charged particle beam system are disclosed. In some embodiments, a stage may be configured to secure a wafer; a chamber may be configured to house the stage; and a tube may be provided within the chamber to transfer fluid between the stage and outside of the chamber. The tube may include a first tubular layer of first material, wherein the first material is a flexible polymer; and a second tubular layer of second material, wherein the second material is configured to reduce permeation of fluid or gas through the tube. In some embodiments, a system may include a degasser system outside of the chamber, where the degasser system may be configured to remove gases from the transfer fluid before the transfer fluid enters the tube.

Abstract: A method for evaluating images of a printed pattern. The method includes obtaining a first averaged image of the printed pattern, where the first averaged image is generated by averaging raw images of the printed pattern. The method also includes identifying one or more features of the first averaged image. The method further includes evaluating the first averaged image, using an image quality classification model and based at least on the one or more features. The evaluating includes determining, by the image quality classification model, whether the first averaged image satisfies a metric.