Patents Examined by Mohamad K Amara
  • Patent number: 9646902
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and techniques for scanner alignment sampling are provided. A set of scan region pairs are defined along a periphery of a sampling area associated with a semiconductor wafer. Alignment marks are formed within scan regions of the set of scan region pairs, but are not formed within other regions of the sampling area. In this way, scan region pairs are scanned to determine alignment factors for respective scan region pairs. An alignment for the sampling area, such as layers or masks used to form patterns onto such layers, is determined based upon alignment factors determined for the scan region pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Lee Yung-Yao, Ying Ying Wang, Yi-Ping Hsieh