Abstract: Metrology data associated with a plurality of workpieces processed at a selected operation in the process flow including a plurality of operations is retrieved. A processing context associated with each of the workpieces is determined. The processing context identifies at least one previous tool used to perform an operation on the associated workpiece prior to the selected operation. A plurality of performance metrics is determined for a plurality of tools capable of performing the selected operation based on the metrology data. Each performance metric is associated with a particular tool and a particular processing context. A set of the performance metrics is identified for the plurality of tools having a processing context matching a processing context of a selected workpiece awaiting performance of the selected operation. The selected workpiece is dispatched for processing in a selected one of the plurality of tools based on the set of performance metrics.

Abstract: By taking into consideration the combination of the substrate holders in various lithography tools used during the imaging to two subsequent device layers, enhanced alignment accuracy may be accomplished. Furthermore, restrictive tool dedications for critical lithography processes may be significantly relaxed by providing specific overlay correction data for each possible process flow, wherein, in some illustrative embodiments, a restriction of the number of possible process flows may be accomplished by implementing a rule for selecting a predefined substrate holder when starting the processing of an associated group of substrates.

Abstract: Metrology data associated with a plurality of workpieces processed at a selected operation in the process flow including a plurality of operations is retrieved. A processing context associated with each of the workpieces is determined. The processing context identifies at least one previous tool used to perform an operation on the associated workpiece prior to the selected operation. A plurality of performance metrics is determined for a plurality of tools capable of performing the selected operation based on the metrology data. Each performance metric is associated with a particular tool and a particular processing context. A set of the performance metrics is identified for the plurality of tools having a processing context matching a processing context of a selected workpiece awaiting performance of the selected operation. The selected workpiece is dispatched for processing in a selected one of the plurality of tools based on the set of performance metrics.

Abstract: By taking into consideration the combination of the substrate holders in various lithography tools used during the imaging to two subsequent device layers, enhanced alignment accuracy may be accomplished. Furthermore, restrictive tool dedications for critical lithography processes may be significantly relaxed by providing specific overlay correction data for each possible process flow, wherein, in some illustrative embodiments, a restriction of the number of possible process flows may be accomplished by implementing a rule for selecting a predefined substrate holder when starting the processing of an associated group of substrates.