Patents Assigned to Nova Measuring Instruments Inc.
  • Patent number: 11680915
    Abstract: XPS spectra are used to analyze and monitor various steps in the selective deposition process. A goodness of passivation value is derived to analyze and quantify the quality of the passivation step. A selectivity figure of merit value is derived to analyze and quantify the selectivity of the deposition process, especially for selective deposition in the presence of passivation. A ratio of the selectivity figure of merit to maximum selectivity value can also be used to characterize and monitor the deposition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Larson, Kavita Shah, Wei T Lee
  • Patent number: 11668663
    Abstract: Determining a property of a layer of an integrated circuit (IC), the layer being formed over an underlayer, is implemented by performing the steps of: irradiating the IC to thereby eject electrons from the IC; collecting electrons emitted from the IC and determining the kinetic energy of the emitted electrons to thereby calculate emission intensity of electrons emitted from the layer and electrons emitted from the underlayer calculating a ratio of the emission intensity of electrons emitted from the layer and electrons emitted from the underlayer; and using the ratio to determine material composition or thickness of the layer. The steps of irradiating IC and collecting electrons may be performed using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) or x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Wei Ti Lee, Heath Pois, Mark Klare, Cornel Bozdog
  • Publication number: 20230091625
    Abstract: Systems and approaches for semiconductor metrology and surface analysis using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) are disclosed. In an example, a secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) system includes a sample stage. A primary ion beam is directed to the sample stage. An extraction lens is directed at the sample stage. The extraction lens is configured to provide a low extraction field for secondary ions emitted from a sample on the sample stage. A magnetic sector spectrograph is coupled to the extraction lens along an optical path of the SIMS system. The magnetic sector spectrograph includes an electrostatic analyzer (ESA) coupled to a magnetic sector analyzer (MSA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: David A. REED, Bruno W. SCHUELER, Bruce H. NEWCOME, Rodney SMEDT, Chris BEVIS
  • Publication number: 20230021209
    Abstract: XPS spectra are used to analyze and monitor various steps in the selective deposition process. A goodness of passivation value is derived to analyze and quantify the quality of the passivation step. A selectivity figure of merit value is derived to analyze and quantify the selectivity of the deposition process, especially for selective deposition in the presence of passivation. A ratio of the selectivity figure of merit to maximum selectivity value can also be used to characterize and monitor the deposition process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: Charles LARSON, Kavita SHAH, Wei T LEE
  • Publication number: 20220390395
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide improved patterned X-ray emitting targets as well as X-ray sources that include patterned X-ray emitting targets as well as X-ray reflectance scatterometry (XRS) systems and also including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) systems and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) systems which employ such X-ray emitting targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: David A. REED, Bruce H. NEWCOME, Bruno W. SCHUELER
  • Patent number: 11430647
    Abstract: Systems and approaches for semiconductor metrology and surface analysis using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) are disclosed. In an example, a secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) system includes a sample stage. A primary ion beam is directed to the sample stage. An extraction lens is directed at the sample stage. The extraction lens is configured to provide a low extraction field for secondary ions emitted from a sample on the sample stage. A magnetic sector spectrograph is coupled to the extraction lens along an optical path of the SIMS system. The magnetic sector spectrograph includes an electrostatic analyzer (ESA) coupled to a magnetic sector analyzer (MSA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: David A. Reed, Bruno W. Schueler, Bruce H. Newcome, Rodney Smedt, Chris Bevis
  • Patent number: 11346795
    Abstract: XPS spectra are used to analyze and monitor various steps in the selective deposition process. A goodness of passivation value is derived to analyze and quantify the quality of the passivation step. A selectivity figure of merit value is derived to analyze and quantify the selectivity of the deposition process, especially for selective deposition in the presence of passivation. A ratio of the selectivity figure of merit to maximum selectivity value can also be used to characterize and monitor the deposition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Thomas Larson, Kavita Shah, Wei Ti Lee
  • Publication number: 20210372787
    Abstract: Methods and systems for feed-forward of multi-layer and multi-process information using XPS and XRF technologies are disclosed. In an example, a method of thin film characterization includes measuring first XPS and XRF intensity signals for a sample having a first layer above a substrate. The first XPS and XRF intensity signals include information for the first layer and for the substrate. The method also involves determining a thickness of the first layer based on the first XPS and XRF intensity signals. The method also involves combining the information for the first layer and for the substrate to estimate an effective substrate. The method also involves measuring second XPS and XRF intensity signals for a sample having a second layer above the first layer above the substrate. The second XPS and XRF intensity signals include information for the second layer, for the first layer and for the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: Heath POIS, Wei T. LEE, Lawrence BOT, Michael KWAN, Mark KLARE, Charles LARSON
  • Patent number: 11183377
    Abstract: An ion detector for secondary ion mass spectrometer, the detector having an electron emission plate coupled to a first electrical potential and configured to emit electrons upon incidence on ions; a scintillator coupled to a second electrical potential, different from the first electrical potential, the scintillator having a front side facing the electron emission plate and a backside, the scintillator configured to emit photons from the backside upon incidence of electrons on the front side; a lightguide coupled to the backside of the scintillator and confining flow of photons emitted from the backside of the scintillator; and a solid-state photomultiplier coupled to the light guide and having an output configured to output electrical signal corresponding to incidence of photons from the lightguide. A SIMS system includes a plurality of such detectors movable arranged over the focal plane of a mass analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Bevis, Yungman Alan Liu, David Allen Reed, Eli Cheifetz, Amit Weingarten, Alexander Kadyshevitch
  • Publication number: 20210305037
    Abstract: Systems and approaches for semiconductor metrology and surface analysis using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) are disclosed. In an example, a secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) system includes a sample stage. A primary ion beam is directed to the sample stage. An extraction lens is directed at the sample stage. The extraction lens is configured to provide a low extraction field for secondary ions emitted from a sample on the sample stage. A magnetic sector spectrograph is coupled to the extraction lens along an optical path of the SIMS system. The magnetic sector spectrograph includes an electrostatic analyzer (ESA) coupled to a magnetic sector analyzer (MSA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: David A. REED, Bruno W. SCHUELER, Bruce H. NEWCOME, Rodney SMEDT, Chris BEVIS
  • Patent number: 11029148
    Abstract: Methods and systems for feed-forward of multi-layer and multi-process information using XPS and XRF technologies are disclosed. In an example, a method of thin film characterization includes measuring first XPS and XRF intensity signals for a sample having a first layer above a substrate. The first XPS and XRF intensity signals include information for the first layer and for the substrate. The method also involves determining a thickness of the first layer based on the first XPS and XRF intensity signals. The method also involves combining the information for the first layer and for the substrate to estimate an effective substrate. The method also involves measuring second XPS and XRF intensity signals for a sample having a second layer above the first layer above the substrate. The second XPS and XRF intensity signals include information for the second layer, for the first layer and for the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Heath A. Pois, Wei Ti Lee, Lawrence V. Bot, Michael C. Kwan, Mark Klare, Charles Thomas Larson
  • Patent number: 10910208
    Abstract: Systems and approaches for semiconductor metrology and surface analysis using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) are disclosed. In an example, a secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) system includes a sample stage. A primary ion beam is directed to the sample stage. An extraction lens is directed at the sample stage. The extraction lens is configured to provide a low extraction field for secondary ions emitted from a sample on the sample stage. A magnetic sector spectrograph is coupled to the extraction lens along an optical path of the SIMS system. The magnetic sector spectrograph includes an electrostatic analyzer (ESA) coupled to a magnetic sector analyzer (MSA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: David A. Reed, Bruno W. Schueler, Bruce H. Newcome, Rodney Smedt, Chris Bevis
  • Patent number: 10859519
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring periodic structures using multi-angle X-ray reflectance scatterometry (XRS) are disclosed. For example, a method of measuring a sample by X-ray reflectance scatterometry involves impinging an incident X-ray beam on a sample having a periodic structure to generate a scattered X-ray beam, the incident X-ray beam simultaneously providing a plurality of incident angles and a plurality of azimuthal angles. The method also involves collecting at least a portion of the scattered X-ray beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Heath A. Pois, David A. Reed, Bruno W. Schueler, Rodney Smedt, Jeffrey T. Fanton
  • Patent number: 10801978
    Abstract: XPS spectra are used to analyze and monitor various steps in the selective deposition process. A goodness of passivation value is derived to analyze and quantify the quality of the passivation step. A selectivity figure of merit value is derived to analyze and quantify the selectivity of the deposition process, especially for selective deposition in the presence of passivation. A ratio of the selectivity figure of merit to maximum selectivity value can also be used to characterize and monitor the deposition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Thomas Larson, Kavita Shah, Wei Ti Lee
  • Patent number: 10648802
    Abstract: Methods and systems for feed-forward of multi-layer and multi-process information using XPS and XRF technologies are disclosed. In an example, a method of thin film characterization includes measuring first XPS and XRF intensity signals for a sample having a first layer above a substrate. The first XPS and XRF intensity signals include information for the first layer and for the substrate. The method also involves determining a thickness of the first layer based on the first XPS and XRF intensity signals. The method also involves combining the information for the first layer and for the substrate to estimate an effective substrate. The method also involves measuring second XPS and XRF intensity signals for a sample having a second layer above the first layer above the substrate. The second XPS and XRF intensity signals include information for the second layer, for the first layer and for the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Heath A. Pois, Wei Ti Lee, Lawrence V. Bot, Michael C. Kwan, Mark Klare, Charles Thomas Larson
  • Patent number: 10636644
    Abstract: Systems and approaches for semiconductor metrology and surface analysis using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) are disclosed. In an example, a secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) system includes a sample stage. A primary ion beam is directed to the sample stage. An extraction lens is directed at the sample stage. The extraction lens is configured to provide a low extraction field for secondary ions emitted from a sample on the sample stage. A magnetic sector spectrograph is coupled to the extraction lens along an optical path of the SIMS system. The magnetic sector spectrograph includes an electrostatic analyzer (ESA) coupled to a magnetic sector analyzer (MSA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: David A. Reed, Bruno W. Schueler, Bruce H. Newcome, Rodney Smedt, Chris Bevis
  • Patent number: 10533961
    Abstract: Determining a property of a layer of an integrated circuit (IC), the layer being formed over an underlayer, is implemented by performing the steps of: irradiating the IC to thereby eject electrons from the IC; collecting electrons emitted from the IC and determining the kinetic energy of the emitted electrons to thereby calculate emission intensity of electrons emitted from the layer and electrons emitted from the underlayer calculating a ratio of the emission intensity of electrons emitted from the layer and electrons emitted from the underlayer; and using the ratio to determine material composition or thickness of the layer. The steps of irradiating IC and collecting electrons may be performed using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) or x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Wei Ti Lee, Heath Pois, Mark Klare, Cornel Bozdog
  • Patent number: 10481112
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring periodic structures using multi-angle X-ray reflectance scatterometry (XRS) are disclosed. For example, a method of measuring a sample by X-ray reflectance scatterometry involves impinging an incident X-ray beam on a sample having a periodic structure to generate a scattered X-ray beam, the incident X-ray beam simultaneously providing a plurality of incident angles and a plurality of azimuthal angles. The method also involves collecting at least a portion of the scattered X-ray beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: Heath A. Pois, David A. Reed, Bruno W. Schueler, Rodney Smedt, Jeffrey T. Fanton
  • Patent number: 10403489
    Abstract: Systems and approaches for semiconductor metrology and surface analysis using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) are disclosed. In an example, a secondary ion mass, spectrometry (SIMS) system includes a sample stage. A primary ion beam is directed to the sample stage. An extraction lens is directed at the sample stage. The extraction lens is configured to provide a low extraction field for secondary ions emitted from a sample on the sample stage. A magnetic sector spectrograph is coupled to the extraction lens along an optical path of the SIMS system. The magnetic sector spectrograph includes an electrostatic analyzer (ESA) coupled to a magnetic sector analyzer (MSA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: NOVA MEASURING INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: David A. Reed, Bruno W. Schueler, Bruce H. Newcome, Rodney Smedt, Chris Bevis
  • Patent number: 10119925
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring periodic structures using multi-angle X-ray reflectance scatterometry (XRS) are disclosed. For example, a method of measuring a sample by X-ray reflectance scatterometry involves impinging an incident X-ray beam on a sample having a periodic structure to generate a scattered X-ray beam, the incident X-ray beam simultaneously providing a plurality of incident angles and a plurality of azimuthal angles. The method also involves collecting at least a portion of the scattered X-ray beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Nova Measuring Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Heath A. Pois, David A. Reed, Bruno W. Schueler, Rodney Smedt, Jeffrey T. Fanton