Patents by Inventor Matt Hankinson

Matt Hankinson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7767956
    Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating and controlling a lithography process are provided. For example, a method for reducing within wafer variation of a critical metric of a lithography process may include measuring at least one property of a resist disposed upon a wafer during the lithography process. A critical metric of a lithography process may include, but may not be limited to, a critical dimension of a feature formed during the lithography process. The method may also include altering at least one parameter of a process module configured to perform a step of the lithography process to reduce within wafer variation of the critical metric. The parameter of the process module may be altered in response to at least the one measured property of the resist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Suresh Lakkapragada, Kyle A. Brown, Matt Hankinson, Ady Levy
  • Publication number: 20090079974
    Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating and controlling a lithography process are provided. For example, a method for reducing within wafer variation of a critical metric of a lithography process may include measuring at least one property of a resist disposed upon a wafer during the lithography process. A critical metric of a lithography process may include, but may not be limited to, a critical dimension of a feature formed during the lithography process. The method may also include altering at least one parameter of a process module configured to perform a step of the lithography process to reduce within wafer variation of the critical metric. The parameter of the process module may be altered in response to at least the one measured property of the resist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: KLA-TENCOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suresh Lakkapragada, Kyle A. Brown, Matt Hankinson, Ady Levy
  • Patent number: 7462814
    Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating and controlling a lithography process are provided. For example, a method for reducing within wafer variation of a critical metric of a lithography process may include measuring at least one property of a resist disposed upon a wafer during the lithography process. A critical metric of a lithography process may include, but may not be limited to, a critical dimension of a feature formed during the lithography process. The method may also include altering at least one parameter of a process module configured to perform a step of the lithography process to reduce within wafer variation of the critical metric. The parameter of the process module may be altered in response to at least the one measured property of the resist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Suresh Lakkapragada, Kyle A. Brown, Matt Hankinson, Ady Levy
  • Patent number: 7352453
    Abstract: A method for determining one or more process parameter settings of a photolithographic system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Walter D. Mieher, Chris A. Mack, Matt Hankinson
  • Publication number: 20060138366
    Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating and controlling a lithography process are provided. For example, a method for reducing within wafer variation of a critical metric of a lithography process may include measuring at least one property of a resist disposed upon a wafer during the lithography process. A critical metric of a lithography process may include, but may not be limited to, a critical dimension of a feature formed during the lithography process. The method may also include altering at least one parameter of a process module configured to perform a step of the lithography process to reduce within wafer variation of the critical metric. The parameter of the process module may be altered in response to at least the one measured property of the resist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Suresh Lakkapragada, Kyle Brown, Matt Hankinson, Ady Levy
  • Patent number: 6987572
    Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating and controlling a lithography process are provided. For example, a method for reducing within wafer variation of a critical metric of a lithography process may include measuring at least one property of a resist disposed upon a wafer during the lithography process. A critical metric of a lithography process may include, but may not be limited to, a critical dimension of a feature formed during the lithography process. The method may also include altering at least one parameter of a process module configured to perform a step of the lithography process to reduce within wafer variation of the critical metric. The parameter of the process module may be altered in response to at least the one measured property of the resist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Suresh Lakkapragada, Kyle A. Brown, Matt Hankinson, Ady Levy
  • Publication number: 20040190008
    Abstract: A method for determining one or more process parameter settings of a photolithographic system is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Walter D. Mieher, Chris A. Mack, Matt Hankinson
  • Patent number: 6689519
    Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating and controlling a lithography process are provided. For example, a method for reducing within wafer variation of a critical metric of a lithography process may include measuring at least one property of a resist disposed upon a wafer during the lithography process. A critical metric of a lithography process may include, but may not be limited to, a critical dimension of a feature formed during the lithography process. The method may also include altering at least one parameter of a process module configured to perform a step of the lithography process to reduce within wafer variation of the critical metric. The parameter of the process module may be altered in response to at least the one measured property of the resist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Kyle A. Brown, Matt Hankinson, Ady Levy, Suresh Lakkapragada
  • Publication number: 20040005507
    Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating and controlling a lithography process are provided. For example, a method for reducing within wafer variation of a critical metric of a lithography process may include measuring at least one property of a resist disposed upon a wafer during the lithography process. A critical metric of a lithography process may include, but may not be limited to, a critical dimension of a feature formed during the lithography process. The method may also include altering at least one parameter of a process module configured to perform a step of the lithography process to reduce within wafer variation of the critical metric. The parameter of the process module may be altered in response to at least the one measured property of the resist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Lakkapragada, Kyle A. Brown, Matt Hankinson, Ady Levy, Ibrahim Abdul-Halim
  • Patent number: 6673638
    Abstract: A method for controlling the variation in process parameters using test structures sensitized to process parameter changes. Wavefront engineering techniques are used to make features of the test structure more sensitive to process changes. Focus and exposure parameters are adjusted in response to the measurements of the test structures. In another embodiment, the wavefront engineering features are placed to permit the test structure appearing on the reticle out of focus. The wavefront engineering feature is an OPC technique applied to the test structure to modify it. The OPC features are applied in an asymmetrical manner to the test structure and enable identifying the direction of process focus changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J. Bendik, Matt Hankinson
  • Publication number: 20030148198
    Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating and controlling a lithography process are provided. For example, a method for reducing within wafer variation of a critical metric of a lithography process may include measuring at least one property of a resist disposed upon a wafer during the lithography process. A critical metric of a lithography process may include, but may not be limited to, a critical dimension of a feature formed during the lithography process. The method may also include altering at least one parameter of a process module configured to perform a step of the lithography process to reduce within wafer variation of the critical metric. The parameter of the process module may be altered in response to at least the one measured property of the resist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Suresh Lakkapragada, Kyle A. Brown, Matt Hankinson, Ady Levy
  • Publication number: 20020072001
    Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating and controlling a lithography process are provided. For example, a method for reducing within wafer variation of a critical metric of a lithography process may include measuring at least one property of a resist disposed upon a wafer during the lithography process. A critical metric of a lithography process may include, but may not be limited to, a critical dimension of a feature formed during the lithography process. The method may also include altering at least one parameter of a process module configured to perform a step of the lithography process to reduce within wafer variation of the critical metric. The parameter of the process module may be altered in response to at least the one measured property of the resist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Kyle A. Brown, Matt Hankinson, Ady Levy, Suresh Lakkapragada