Carl Zeiss, Synopsys Collaborate on Photomask Manufacturing

Carl Zeiss SMS GmbH and Synopsys Inc. announced a collaboration to support the Zeiss tool family for in-die metrology solutions for the 32-nm technology node and below.

Under the deal, Synopsys will offer support for Zeiss’ PROVE, the next-generation registration metrology tool, through its CATS, a mask data preparation solution. Using CATS as the data preparation engine, mask engineers using PROVE can benefit from improved efficiency and usability of a registration metrology system that meets stringent overlay accuracy requirements, the companies said.

Featuring 193-nm illumination optics, the PROVE system delivers in-die metrology capability for measurement of the smallest production features without placing registration marks, enabling mask makers to measure and analyze registration in critical areas on the mask.

Synopsys’ CATS module enables a fast, efficient and fully automated flow for the setup of photomask metrology jobs. It uses industry standard open formats, advanced marking capabilities and the PROVE two-dimensional correlation method to offer enhanced image analysis schemes. It can compare 2-D design clips of the mask provided by CATS with images on the mask captured by PROVE, resulting in higher measurement accuracy when compared to standard methods that use 1-D measurement based on edges only.

“With Synopsys’ long-term experience in mask data preparation and Carl Zeiss’ know-how in in-dye metrology, the new CATS module with its exciting capabilities will significantly help to reduce mask registration errors on arbitrary production features,” said Dr. Dirk Beyer, product manager for PROVE at Zeiss.

“Synopsys’ collaboration with Carl Zeiss exemplifies our commitment to offering comprehensive lithography, inspection and metrology solutions to the mask manufacturing market,” said Fabio Angelillis, vice president of engineering for Synposys’ Silicon Engineering Group. “By extending CATS to support PROVE, we are delivering higher quality metrology solutions to our customers at the 32-nm technology node and below.”

For more information, visit: www.zeiss.com/sms