Method and apparatus for automated rework within run-to-run control semiconductor manufacturing

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to semiconductor products manufacturing, and, more particularly, to a method and means for automated rework of semiconductor devices.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The technology explosion in the manufacturing industry has resulted in many new and innovative manufacturing processes. Today's manufacturing processes, particularly semiconductor manufacturing processes, call for a large number of important steps. These process steps are usually vital, and therefore, require a number of inputs that are generally fine tuned to maintain proper manufacturing control.

[0006] The manufacture of semiconductor devices requires a number of discrete process steps to create a packaged semiconductor device from raw semiconductor material. The various processes, from the initial growth of the semiconductor material, the slicing of the semiconductor crystal into individual wafers, the fabrication stages (etching, doping, ion implanting, or the like), to the packaging and final testing of the completed device, are so different from one another and specialized that the processes may be performed in different manufacturing locations that contain different control schemes.

[0007] One of the most important aspects of semiconductor manufacturing is overlay control. Overlay is one of several important steps in the lithography area of semiconductor manufacturing. Overlay control involves measuring the misalignment between two successive patterned layers on the surface of a semiconductor device. Generally, minimization of misalignment errors is important to ensure that the multiple layers of the semiconductor devices are connected and functional. As technology facilitates smaller critical dimensions for semiconductor devices, the need for reduced of misalignment errors increases dramatically.

[0008] Generally, photolithography engineers currently analyze the overlay errors a few times a month. The results from the analysis of the overlay errors are used to make updates to control settings manually. Some of the problems associated with the current methods include the fact that control settings, such as ASM settings for photolithography tools, are only updated a few times a month. Furthermore, currently the control setting updates are performed manually.

[0009] Generally, a set of processing steps is performed on a lot of wafers on a semiconductor manufacturing tool called a stepper. The stepper communicates with a manufacturing framework or a network of processing modules. The manufacturing framework is connected to an equipment interface. The equipment interface is connected to a machine interface to which the stepper is connected, thereby facilitating communications between the stepper and the manufacturing framework. The machine interface interacts with an automatic process control (APC) system. The APC system initiates a control script, which can be a computer program that automatically retrieves the data needed to execute a manufacturing process. The input parameters that control the manufacturing process are revised periodically in a manual fashion. As the need for higher precision manufacturing processes are required, improved methods are needed to revise input parameters that control manufacturing processes in a more automated and timely manner. Furthermore, improvements in reprocessing of semiconductor devices are needed for more efficient and accurate manufacturing of semiconductor devices.

[0010] The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for performing automated rework in a manufacturing process. A lot of semiconductor devices is processed using a first set of control input parameters. The first set of control input parameters is stored in a memory location. Process data from the processing of the lot of semiconductor devices is acquired. Errors in the process data are analyzed. At least one automated rework procedure is performed on the lot of semiconductor devices in response to the analysis of the process data.

[0012] In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for performing automated rework in a manufacturing process. The apparatus of the present invention comprises: means for processing a lot of semiconductor devices using a first set of control input parameters; means for storing said first set of control input parameters in a memory location; means for acquiring process data from said processing of said lot of semiconductor devices; means for analyzing errors in said process data; and means for performing at least one automated rework procedure on said lot of semiconductor devices in response to said analysis of said process data.

[0013] The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates semiconductor wafers are being processed on an semiconductor manufacturing tool, using a plurality of control input signals;

[0015] FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of updating control input parameters of a process;

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates the dependence of the average on each successive point in an EWMA filter;

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the reprocessing method taught by the present invention; and

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the automated rework procedure taught by the present invention.

[0019] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0020] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0021] There are many discreet processes that are involved in semiconductor manufacturing. One important process in semiconductor manufacturing is the overlay process. In particular, overlay process involves measuring misalignment errors between semiconductor layers during manufacturing processes. Improvements in semiconductor manufacturing processes, such as the overlay process, could result in substantial enhancements, in terms of quality and efficiency, in manufacturing of semiconductor devices. The present invention provides a method of implementing automated error correction for control of semiconductor processes, such overlay process. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method of performing run-to-run control of semiconductor manufacturing processes.

[0022] Semiconductor devices are processed in a manufacturing environment using a number of input control parameters. Turning now to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, semiconductor products 105, such as semiconductor wafers, are processed on a processing tool 110, such as an exposure tool, using a plurality of control input signals (or control settings) on a line 120. In one embodiment, the control input signals on the line 120 are sent to the processing tool 110 from a computer system 130. One example of an processing tool 110 used in semiconductor manufacturing processes is a stepper.

[0023] The control inputs, on the line 120, that are used to operate the processing tool 110 include an x-translation signal, a y-translation signal, an x-expansion wafer scale signal, a y-expansion wafer scale signal, a reticle magnification signal, and a reticle rotation signal. Generally, errors associated with the reticle magnification signal and the reticle rotation signal relate to one particular exposure process on the surface of the wafer being processed in the exposure tool. One of the primary features taught by the present invention is a method of updating the control input signals described above, on a run-to-run basis.

[0024] When a process step in the processing tool 110 is concluded, the semiconductor wafer that is being processed in the processing tool 110 is examined in a review station, as described in block 120 of FIG. 1. One such review station is a KLA review station. One set of data derived from the operation of the review station is a quantitative measure of the amount of misregistration that was caused by the previous exposure process. In one embodiment, the amount of misregistration relates to the misalignment in the process that occurred between two layers of a semiconductor wafer. In one embodiment, the amount of misregistration that occurred can be attributed to the control inputs to a particular exposure process. The control inputs generally affect the accuracy of the process steps performed by the exposure tools on the semiconductor wafer. The control input signals affect the reticle magnification and the position of the semiconductor wafer that is being processed. Modifications of the control inputs can be utilized to improve the performance of the process steps employed in the exposure tool.

[0025] Once errors are determined from the examination after the run of a lot of wafers, as described in block 120 of FIG. 1, the control inputs on the line 220 are modified for a subsequent run of a lot of semiconductor wafers. Modifying the control signals on the line 220 is designed to improve the next process step in the processing tool 110. The value of the error corresponding to a control input signal is used to update that control input signal for a subsequent manufacturing process step. One embodiment of the control input signal modification sequence is illustrated in further detail in FIG. 2.

[0026] Turning now to FIG. 2, once the error data associated with a particular control input signal is acquired, a recommended step size of the change in the value of the control input signal is calculated, as described in block 210 of FIG. 2. The step size of the change in the value of the control input signal relates to the change in the magnitude of the value of the control input signal. The magnitude of the value of the control input signal determines the input characteristics of the settings of semiconductor manufacturing tools such as the processing tool 110. In one embodiment, the step size, which determines the new settings of the control input signal on line 120, is calculated using Equation 1, as described in block 220 of FIG. 2.

[0027] New setting=Old setting−[(weight)*(error value)]  Equation 1

[0028] As illustrated in Equation 1, the new setting of the control input signal on the line 120 is calculated by subtracting the magnitude of the old setting of the control input signal by the product of the weight and the error value of the control input signal on the line 120. The weight is a predetermined parameter that is assigned to the error value of a particular control input signal on the line 120. The weight of an error value of a control input signal generally lies between zero and one. The use of the weight of the error value of a control input signal is one method of preventing a controller of a semiconductor manufacturing tool from operating in an inordinately jittery fashion. In other words, the value of the weight can be used to at least partially control the step size of the change of the new setting from the old setting of the control input signal.

[0029] Although the value of the weight can be used to partially control the step size of the change in the setting of the control input signal, the value of the weight may still be insufficient to prevent an excessively large step size. In other words, even if an optimum weight were to be assigned to a particular error signal, a calculated step size of a change in the setting of a control input signal may be too large, such that it could cause a controller of a semiconductor manufacturing tool to perform in an excessively jittery fashion. Therefore, the calculated step size is compared to a predetermined maximum step size that is allowable for the change in setting of a control input signal in the line 120, as described in block 230 of FIG. 2.

[0030] When a determination is made that the calculated step size of the change in the magnitude of the control input signal is smaller than the predetermined maximum step size, the calculated step size is used to compute the new settings of the control input signal. When a determination is made that the calculated step size of the change in the magnitude of the control input signal is larger than the predetermined maximum step size, the predetermined maximum step size is used to compute the new settings of the control input signal. Based upon the calculation of the step size of the new settings of the control input signal on the line 120, the control input signal is updated for the next manufacturing process step, as described in block 240 of FIG. 2.

[0031] The completion of the step described in block 240 concludes the step of implementing the control input modification sequence. New error data for other control input signals are acquired and corrected using the steps described above. Once the relevant control input signals for a semiconductor manufacturing tool are updated, the control input signals with new, more accurate settings are used to perform a semiconductor manufacturing process step for a subsequent run of semiconductor devices.

[0032] One method of using the updated control input signals on the line 120 is implemented by control threads. The control input signal grouping or threads identify a batch of lots with similar characteristics. Control threads can be implemented by a number of semiconductor process controller, such as an overlay controller. Control threads are a significant part of the control scheme of a semiconductor manufacturing tool such as the processing tool 110. Each of the different control threads acts like a separate controller, and is differentiated by various process conditions. For overlay control, the control threads are separated by a combination of different conditions, including the semiconductor manufacturing tool (e.g., stepper) currently processing the wafer lot, the semiconductor product, the semiconductor manufacturing operation, and the semiconductor manufacturing tool that processes the semiconductor wafer lot at a previous layer of the wafer.

[0033] The reason for keeping the control threads separate is that different semiconductor manufacturing process conditions affect the overlay error in different fashion. By isolating each of the unique semiconductor manufacturing process conditions into its own corresponding control thread, the overlay error can become a more accurate portrayal of the conditions in which a subsequent semiconductor wafer lot in the control thread will be processed. Since the error measurement is more relevant, changes to the control input signals based upon the error will be more appropriate. The implementation of the control scheme described by the present invention can lead to a reduction in the overlay error.

[0034] To illustrate the effectiveness of the control thread arrangement, consider the following example in which stepper operations are discussed. For example, Stepper A produces wafers with a translational error of 0.05 microns, Stepper B has an error of −0.05 microns, and Stepper C has 0.1 microns of error. If a semiconductor wafer lot was processed on Stepper A, then it was processed on Stepper B at the next layer, the overlay error between them would be −0.1 microns. If the lot were processed on Stepper B and Stepper C instead, the error would be 0.15 microns. The error is different depending upon which conditions were present when the lot was processed. Below is a table of the possible error outcomes, given the stepper/stepper pair used in processing.

[0035] One of the advantages of the control thread framework is illustrated in this example. There are three possible overlay error values for each of the steppers, depending upon which stepper processed the wafer lot at the last layer. One problem that arises is the controller cannot predict what the error will be for the next semiconductor wafer lot that is processed on the same semiconductor manufacturing tool. Utilizing the control threads, each of the conditions illustrated in Table 1 would have its own controller. Since only one condition would exist for each controller, that controller would be able to predict the error that the next semiconductor wafer lot could encounter and adjust the control input signals accordingly.

[0036] Overlay metrology is an important part of any semiconductor manufacturing tool control strategy described above. Review stations, such as KLA review stations, are capable of providing the control algorithm that can measure the control error. Each of the error measurements corresponds to one of the control input signals on the line 120, in a direct manner. Before the error can be utilized to correct control input signal, a certain amount of preprocessing is generally completed. This additional complexity is designed to make the error estimates provided by the review stations more accurate.

[0037] One of the first steps in the preprocessing, or data manipulation, of control input signals is outlier rejection. Outlier rejection is a gross error check that is employed to ensure that the data that is received is reasonable in light of the historical performance of the semiconductor manufacturing process. This procedure involves comparing each of the overlay errors to its corresponding predetermined boundary parameter. In one embodiment, even if one of the predetermined boundaries is exceeded, the error data from the entire semiconductor wafer lot is generally rejected. To determine the limits of the outlier rejection, thousands of actual semiconductor manufacturing fabrication (fab) data points are collected. The standard deviation for each error parameter in this collection of data is then calculated In one embodiment, for outlier rejection, nine times the standard deviation (both positive and negative) is generally chosen as the predetermined boundary. This was done primarily to ensure that only the points that are significantly outside the normal operating conditions of the process are rejected.

[0038] The next stage in the process is to smooth out the data, also known as filtering. This is important because the error measurements are subject to a certain amount of randomness, such that the error significantly deviates in value. Filtering the review station data results in a more accurate assessment of the error in the control input signal settings. In one embodiment, the overlay control scheme utilizes a filtering procedure known as an Exponentially-Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) filter, although other filtering procedures can be utilized in this context. The equation for the EWMA filter is illustrated in Equation 2.

[0039] New average=(weight)*(current measurement)+(I−weight)*(previous EWMA average)]  Equation 2

[0040] The weight is an adjustable parameter that can be used to control the amount of filtering and is generally between zero and one. The weight represents the confidence in the accuracy of the current data point. If the measurement is considered to be accurate, the weight should be close to one. If there were a significant amount of fluctuations in the process, then a number closer to zero would be appropriate. The new average is calculated from the current measurement, the weight, and the last average calculated. The dependence of the average on each successive point is illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0041] In one embodiment, there are at least two methods of utilizing the EWMA filtering process. The first implementation is to use the previous average, the weight, and the current measurement as described above. Among the advantages of utilizing the first implementation are ease of use and minimal data storage. One of the disadvantages of utilizing the first implementation is that this method generally does not retain much process information. Furthermore, the previous average calculated in this manner would be made up of every data point that preceded it, which may be undesirable. The second option is to retain only some of the data and calculate the average from the raw data each time.

[0042] The manufacturing environment in the semiconductor manufacturing fab presents some unique challenges. The order that the semiconductor wafer lots are processed through a semiconductor manufacturing tool, such as a stepper, may not correspond to the order in which they are read on the review station. This could lead to the data points being added to the EWMA average out of sequence. Semiconductor wafer lots may be analyzed more than once to verify the error measurements. With no data retention, both readings would contribute to the EWMA average, which may be an undesirable characteristic. Furthermore, some of the control threads may have low volume, which may cause the previous average to be outdated such that it may not be able to accurately represent the error in the control input signal settings.

[0043] For the reasons discussed above, and for other considerations, the overlay controller uses limited storage of data to calculate the EWMA filtered error. Semiconductor wafer lot data, including the lot number, the time the lot was processed on the semiconductor manufacturing tool, such as the stepper, and the multiple error estimates, are stored in a data storage (called Data Store in one embodiment) under the control thread name. When a new set of data is collected, the stack of data is retrieved from Data Store and analyzed. The lot number of the current semiconductor wafer lot being processed is compared to those in the stack. If the lot number matches any of the data present there, the error measurements are replaced. Otherwise, the data point is added to the current stack in chronological order, according to the time periods when the lots were processed through the stepper. In one embodiment, any data point within the stack that is over 48 hours old is removed. Once the aforementioned steps are complete, the new filter average is calculated and stored to Data Store.

[0044] The present invention teaches a method for automated rework of a lot of semiconductor devices, on a run-to-run basis. Turning now to FIG. 4, a flowchart representation of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. An initial lot of semiconductor devices is processed, as described in block 410 of FIG. 4. Generally, the semiconductor devices are processed in the form of semiconductor wafers. Semiconductor wafers are processed through a processing tool 110, such as an exposure tool (e.g., stepper) or a photolithography tool. Many times, errors in the processing may cause etching errors in a photolithography process.

[0045] Photolithography may be used to selectively isolate very small regions on the surface of a wafer. Generally, photolithography comprises coating the wafer with a photosensitive layer, such as a photoresist. The photoresist may then be selectively exposed to light through a master pattern on a photographic plate. The exposed portions of the photoresist may be developed and removed revealing selected areas of semiconductor material for further processing. In this manner, very fine integrated circuit components, such as the channel length of a field effect transistor, may be determined. Unfortunately, transistors and other semiconductor devices are desired with feature sizes smaller than photolithography and other masking techniques are capable of producing. For example, a layer of photoresist (not shown) may be deposited above a surface on a semiconductor wafer of the process layer. By selectively removing a portion of the layer of photoresist, the process layer may be selectively exposed to an etching process. The final semiconductor product 105 may be etched incorrectly such that a possible rework may be necessary. An automated rework procedure that could correct errors on a run-to-run basis could efficiently and more accurately rectify semiconductor wafer problems.

[0046] Once an initial lot of semiconductor wafers are processed, metrology process data is acquired, as described in block 420 of FIG. 4. As described above, in an overlay process, information such as misregistration data is collected. In a chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) process, information such as data regarding the sufficiency of polished-off material is acquired. In a photolithography process, information such as resist pattern placement error data and critical dimension error data is acquired. Those skilled in the art and having the benefit of the present disclosure will readily be able to ascertain the data required to perform the methods taught by the present invention.

[0047] Once sufficient metrology data is collected for the completed process, the semiconductor devices are examined for errors, as described in block 430 of FIG. 4. In particular, the semiconductor devices are examined for any errors relating to a particular process and are analyzed to determine whether the errors fall within an acceptable tolerance level. For an overlay process, a KLA review station can be used to measure the misregistration and determine whether the misalignment that occurred during the overlay process exceeds an acceptable tolerance level. For a CMP process, information, such as data relating to whether sufficient material has been polished-off from the semiconductor device under manufacture, is checked. For a photolithography process, information, such as data relating to whether the amount of error in the resist pattern placement is beyond an acceptable tolerance, or whether errors in the critical dimension are beyond a predetermined tolerance, is examined.

[0048] Once the processed semiconductor devices are analyzed for errors, a determination is made whether the errors detected are within an acceptable tolerance level, as described in block 440 of FIG. 4. For example, the analysis using a KLA review station may reveal that excessive misregistration exists after an overlay process. Examination of semiconductor wafers after a photolithography process may reveal that the critical dimensions are excessive beyond tolerance. When a determination is made that the errors detected in the semiconductor devices after a process is completed are within acceptable tolerances, generally, a rework procedure is not initiated, as described in block 450 of FIG. 4. When a determination is made that errors detected in the semiconductor devices after a process is completed are not within acceptable tolerances, generally, an automated rework procedure is initiated and the steps illustrated in FIG. 4 are repeated, as described in block 460 of FIG. 4. The automated rework procedure described in block 460 of FIG. 4 is described in further detail in FIG. 5.

[0049] Turning now to FIG. 5, one embodiment of an automated rework procedure taught by the present invention is illustrated. Once an automated rework procedure is initiated, a process re-entry preparation procedure is initiated, as described in block 510 of FIG. 5. The process re-entry preparation procedure includes physically moving the lot of semiconductor devices toward the process tool area. The process re-entry preparation procedure further includes a pre-processing step, which generally consists of physically preparing the semiconductor devices for re-entry into the processing tool. For example, in a photolithography rework process, the pre-processing step includes removing the resist pattern that was placed on the semiconductor devices during the original process.

[0050] Once the process re-entry procedure is initiated, new control settings for the rework process is calculated, as described in block 520 of FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the new control settings are calculated based upon metrology data of the original processing run of the lot of semiconductor devices. Calculating the new control settings (or parameters) for the rework process includes modifying control settings of the original process run to reduce errors on a run-to-run basis, based upon errors detected. In one embodiment, modifying the control input settings is performed as described above and in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, the modification of the control input settings is performed on a run-to-run basis. The control input settings that are calculated for the rework of a lot of semiconductor wafers may cause a rework process to behave differently from an original manufacturing process. In some cases, during a rework procedure, the state of a lot of semiconductor wafers may be different compared to the state of the semiconductor wafers during the original processing step. Therefore, a modified manufacturing model may be used during the rework process to calculate the control input setting for the rework process. For example, during chemical polishing processes, a new manufacturing model is used to calculate the period of time that the polishing procedure will be implemented on a semiconductor wafer being reworked.

[0051] Once the modification of the control input settings step of the original process run is completed, the new modified control input settings are applied in the reprocessing of the same lot of semiconductor wafers, as described in block 530 of FIG. 5. In most cases, the new control input settings will result in a more accurate processing run since many of the errors during the original processing run would have been eliminated. Generally, the new control inputs that are used to perform the rework process reflect a more optimal set of control settings to reduce errors during the rework process of the lot of semiconductor devices.

[0052] Once the lot of semiconductor devices is reprocessed, metrology data is again acquired, as described in block 540 of FIG. 5. The metrology data is then stored for possible modification for another possible reprocessing run of the same lot of semiconductor devices. When the reprocessing step of the lot of semiconductor devices is complete, the semiconductor devices are again analyzed for errors, as described in block 550 of FIG. 5. The analysis of the semiconductor devices after the reprocessing step is performed in a similar manner as the analysis performed after the original process run, as described above.

[0053] When the analysis of the reprocessed semiconductor devices is substantially complete, a determination is made whether the errors discovered during the analysis process are within an acceptable tolerance level, as described in block 560 of FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the error tolerance comparison is performed in a similar manner as the error tolerance comparison made after the original run of the semiconductor lots, as described above. When a determination is made that the errors found during the analysis of the reprocessed semiconductor lot are within an acceptable error tolerance level, the rework process is terminated. When a determination is made that the errors found during the analysis of the reprocessed semiconductor lot are greater than an acceptable error tolerance level, the semiconductor lot is again prepared for another reprocessing step, as described in block 510 of FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the reprocessing steps described in FIG. 5 are repeated until the errors discovered in the semiconductor devices are found to be within an acceptable tolerance level.

[0054] Implementation of the automated rework procedure results in many improvements in semiconductor processing. The advantages of the present invention include the reduction in need for test wafers. Process behavior characterization is less important since the data needed for any reprocessing is acquired from the metrology information from the previous process. The amount of engineering input is reduced since the method provided by the present invention automatically scans process data and determines reprocessing procedures, thereby reducing human error problems. The methods taught by the present invention are applicable to a plurality of different processes.

[0055] The principles taught by the present invention can be implemented in an Advanced Process Control (APC) Framework. The APC is a preferred platform from which to implement the overlay control strategy taught by the present invention. In some embodiments, the APC can be a factory-wide software system, therefore, the control strategies taught by the present invention can be applied to virtually any of the semiconductor manufacturing tools on the factory floor. The APC framework also allows for remote access and monitoring of the process performance. Furthermore, by utilizing the APC framework, data storage can be more convenient, more flexible, and less expensive than local drives. The APC platform allows for more sophisticated types of control because it provides a significant amount of flexibility in writing the necessary software code.

[0056] Deployment of the control strategy taught by the present invention onto the APC framework could require a number of software components. In addition to components within the APC framework, a computer script is written for each of the semiconductor manufacturing tools involved in the control system. When a semiconductor manufacturing tool in the control system is started in the semiconductor manufacturing fab, it generally calls upon a script to initiate the action that is required by the overlay controller. The control methods are generally defined and performed in these scripts. The development of these scripts can comprise a significant portion of the development of a control system.

[0057] In one embodiment, for the overlay control project, there are four separate scripts that perform all of the necessary tasks. There is one script each for the ASM stepper and the review station, a script to handle the actual data capture from the review station, and another subscript that contains common procedures that can be referenced by any of the other scripts. Examination of these scripts, and how they interact with the production flow, can reveal the actual control action enacted by the overlay control scheme taught by the present invention.

[0058] In one embodiment the overlay control procedure begins at the source/drain portion of the semiconductor device fabrication procedure. The ASM steppers are used to expose the photoresist, which in turn defines the active areas of the wafer. The overlay controller will treat this as the previous layer when it processes wafer lots through the poly gate steps, so some information is required from wafer lots run at this step. In one embodiment, before the semiconductor manufacturing tools are run, an APC script is called to initialize the machine. At this step, the script records the entity number of the semiconductor manufacturing tool and the wafer lot number. The entity number is then stored against the lot number in Data Store. The rest of the script, such as the APCData call and the Setup and StartMachine calls, are formulated with blank or dummy data in order to force the machine to use its default settings.

[0059] The subsequent time that semiconductor wafer lots enter the domain of the controller is generally during the poly gate portion of semiconductor device fabrication. This is the patterned level that is just above the source/drain layer. These two adjacent patterned layers are subject to overlay metrology, which enable the use of feedback control to correct errors in overlay. This is generally true for any two adjacent patterned layers that are followed by a review station metrology step. To enable control action, a control thread corresponding to the current semiconductor wafer lot is created from the process information.

[0060] The control thread for the overlay control scheme depends upon the current stepper, current operation, the product code for the current lot, and the entity number at the previous patterned layer. The first three parameters are generally found in the context information that is passed to the script from the current stepper. The fourth parameter is generally stored when the lot is processed through the previous layer. Once all four parameters are defined, they are combined to form the control thread name; STP62_2037_6528FQ_STP64 is an example of a control thread name. The control thread name is also stored in correspondence to the wafer lot number in Data Store.

[0061] Once the lot is associated with a control thread name, the stepper settings for that control thread are generally retrieved from Data Store. There are at least two possibilities when the call is made for the information. One possibility is that there are no settings stored under the current control thread name. This can happen when the control thread is new, or if the information was lost or deleted. In these cases, the script initializes the control thread assuming that there is no error associated with it and uses the target values of the overlay errors as the control input settings. It is preferred that the controllers use the default machine settings as the initial settings. By assuming some settings, the overlay errors can be related back to the control settings in order to facilitate feedback control.

[0062] Another possibility is that the settings are stored under the control thread name. In this case, one or more semiconductor wafer lots have been processed under the same control thread name as the current semiconductor wafer lot, and have also been measured for overlay error using the review stations. When this information exists, the control input signal settings are retrieved from Data Store. These settings are then downloaded to the ASM stepper via the APCData call.

[0063] Finally, the wafer lots are measured on the review stations after exposure on the steppers. The script beings with a number of APC commands to allow for the collection of data. The review station script then locks itself in place and activates a Data Available script. This script facilitates the actual transfer of the data from the review station to the APC framework. Once the transfer is completed, the script exits and unlocks the review station script. The interaction with the review station is then generally complete.

[0064] In one embodiment, after the data is collected, it is processed to generate an estimate of the current error in the control input signal settings. First, the data is passed to a compiled Matlab plugin that performs the outlier rejection criteria described above. The inputs to a plug-in interface are the multiple error measurements and an array containing boundary values. The return from the plug-in interface is a single toggle variable. A nonzero return denotes that it has failed the rejection criteria, otherwise the variable returns the default value of zero and the script continues to process.

[0065] After the outlier rejection is completed, the data is passed to the EWMA filtering procedure. The controller data for the control thread name associated with the lot is retrieved, and all of the relevant operation upon the stack of lot data is carried out. This includes replacing redundant data or removing older data. Once the data stack is adequately prepared, it is parsed into ascending time-ordered arrays that correspond to the error values. These arrays are fed into the EWMA plug-in along with an array of the parameter required for its execution. In one embodiment, the return from the plug-in is comprised of the six filtered error values.

[0066] The final step in the process is to calculate the new settings for the stepper. The previous settings for the control thread corresponding to the current wafer lot are retrieved from Data Store. This data is paired along with the current set of overlay errors. The new settings are calculated by calling a compiled Matlab plug-in. This application incorporates a number of inputs, performs calculations in a separate execution component, and returns a number of outputs to the main script. Generally, the inputs of the Matlab plug-in are the control input signal settings, the review station errors, an array of parameters that are necessary for the control algorithm, and a currently unused flag error. The outputs of the Matlab plug-in are the new controller settings, calculated in the plugin according to the controller algorithm described above. A photolithography process engineer or a control engineer, who generally determines the actual form and extent of the control action, can set the parameters. They include the threshold values, maximum step sizes, controller weights, and target values. Once the new parameter settings are calculated, the script stores the setting in Data Store such that the steppers can retrieve them for the next wafer lot to be processed. The principles taught by the present invention can be implemented into other types of manufacturing frameworks.

[0067] The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.