Blanking aperture array system and charged particle beam writing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a blanking aperture array system which allows a path for transferring control data to be inspected in drawing without greatly preventing progress of drawing.SOLUTION: A blanking aperture array system includes a data output circuit that outputs first data and a first error detection code generated from the first data. A shift register transfers the first data and the first error detection code inputted from the data output circuit. A buffer receives the first data from a first register. An electrode receives a voltage based on the first data outputted from the buffer. An error detection circuit receives the first data and the first error detection code from the final-stage register, generates a second error detection code from the first data received from the final-stage register, and generates a detection signal indicating "matched" when the first error detection code from the final-stage register is accorded with the second error detection code and indicating "unmatched" when the first error detection code is not accorded with the second error detection code.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE Embodiments relate generally to blanking aperture array systems and charged particle beam writing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Masks are used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. To form fine elements, the mask pattern is also required to be fine. To form a mask having a fine pattern, the pattern is written on the mask material using an electron beam. To efficiently form the mask, a writing method using multiple electron beams (multi-beam writing method) may be used.

[0003] In the multi-beam writing method, an electron beam is passed through a mask (shaping aperture array plate) with multiple apertures to form multiple beams. The multiple beams are directed to a blanking aperture array mechanism with multiple apertures. Each beam is individually deflected by the blanking aperture array mechanism, and the deflected beams do not reach the mask because they hit a shield.

[0004] The blanking aperture array arrangement includes a mechanism around each aperture for deflecting the beam passing through that aperture, the mechanism including electrodes and elements of an electronic circuit for applying voltages to the electrodes. The electronic circuit transmits data, supplied from outside the blanking aperture array arrangement, for controlling the blankers of the blanking aperture array arrangement and generates the voltages applied to the electrodes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-039011 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The radiation of the electron beam for drawing may damage the elements of the electronic circuit in the blanking aperture array mechanism. Accumulation of damage may deteriorate the characteristics of the elements. If the deterioration of the characteristics exceeds a certain critical point, the elements of the electronic circuit may fail, in which case the blanking aperture array mechanism cannot operate correctly. For example, data for controlling the blanking aperture may not be transmitted correctly due to a failure of the electronic circuit. In addition, since large amounts of data are transferred at high speeds as the device becomes finer, a transfer abnormality may occur occasionally even if the bit error rate is low. Since the mask has a very fine pattern, even a failure in the transmission of just one bit of data may generate a defect in the mask.

[0007] To avoid this, the blanking aperture array mechanism may be diagnosed before writing. If a fault is found at the time of diagnosis, it is possible to address it before writing. However, since the writing apparatus is in operation almost all the time, the above-mentioned anomaly often occurs during writing probabilistically. If a fault is detected during writing, it is possible to address the fault, for example, by changing the control data to compensate for the fault. For this reason, a technique for detecting faults during writing is desired.

[0008] On the other hand, drawing requires the transmission of large amounts of data at high speed, and interruption of drawing to detect a fault is not desirable. Therefore, a charged particle beam device that can detect faults while drawing is in progress without disrupting drawing as much as possible is desired. In addition, because the multi-beam method transmits large amounts of data at high speed, data changes may occur even if the bit error rate is low. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A blanking aperture array system for use in a multi-charged particle beam irradiation device according to one embodiment includes a data output circuit, a shift register, a buffer, an electrode, and an error detection circuit. The data output circuit outputs first data, which is one of control data used for beam irradiation, and a first error detection code for detecting an error in the first data generated from the first data. The shift register includes a plurality of registers connected in series, and transfers the first data and the first error detection code input from the data output circuit. The buffer receives the first data output from a first register, which is one of the plurality of registers, from the first register. The electrode receives a voltage based on the first data output from the buffer. The error detection circuit receives the first data and the first error detection code from a final stage register of the multiple registers, generates a second error detection code from the first data received from the final stage shift register for detecting an error in the first data, and generates a detection signal indicating a match when the first error detection code from the final stage register and the second error detection code match, and indicating a mismatch when they do not match. Effect of the Invention

[0010] There are provided a blanking aperture array system and a charged particle beam writing apparatus capable of inspecting a path for transferring control data during writing without significantly interfering with the progress of writing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows elements of a rendering device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the control device of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows the structure of the shaping aperture array plate of the first embodiment along the xy plane. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the structure of the blanking aperture array mechanism of the first embodiment along the xz plane. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows the structure of the blanking aperture array mechanism of the first embodiment along the xy plane. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the circuitry and related elements of the blanking aperture array mechanism of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows some elements and connections of the control circuit and related elements of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a portion of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of data transfer and generation in the drawing device of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows some elements and connections of the control circuit and related elements of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of data transfer and generation in a rendering device of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations may be omitted. In order to distinguish a plurality of components having substantially the same functions and configurations from one another, additional numbers or letters may be added to the end of the reference numerals.

[0013] All descriptions of one embodiment may also apply to descriptions of another embodiment unless explicitly or obviously excluded. In addition, each functional block can be realized as either hardware or computer software, or a combination of both. It is not essential that each functional block is distinguished as in the following examples. For example, some functions may be performed by a functional block other than the illustrated functional block. Furthermore, the illustrated functional block may be divided into smaller functional subblocks.

[0014] Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described using an xyz Cartesian coordinate system.

[0015] 1. First embodiment 1.1.Structure (composition) 1 shows elements (configuration) of a drawing apparatus according to a first embodiment. The drawing apparatus 1 is, for example, a multi-charged particle beam drawing apparatus. Some elements are described in more detail later.

[0016] The drawing apparatus 1 includes a control circuit system 2 and a drawing mechanism 3. The drawing mechanism 3 generates a charged particle beam and draws a pattern on the sample 6 by irradiating the sample 6 with the generated charged particle beam. Examples of the sample 6 include a mask coated with a resist or a reticle. The control circuit system 2 controls the operation of the drawing mechanism 3.

[0017] The drawing mechanism 3 includes a vacuum chamber 31. The inside of the vacuum chamber 31 is maintained, for example, at a vacuum while drawing is performed on the sample 6 by the drawing apparatus 1. The vacuum chamber 31 is composed of a writing chamber 31a and an optical column 31b.

[0018] The writing chamber 31a has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a space inside. The writing chamber 31a accommodates the sample 6. The writing chamber 31a has an opening on the upper surface, and the opening is connected to the internal space of the lens barrel 31b.

[0019] The imaging apparatus 1 also includes a stage 310 in the writing chamber 31a. On the upper surface of the stage 310, a sample 6 is placed during imaging. The stage 310 can move along the x-axis and the y-axis while holding the sample 6 substantially horizontally. On the upper surface of the stage 310, a mirror 312x and a mirror 312y are provided. The mirror 312x extends along the y-axis, and the mirror 312y extends along the x-axis. The mirrors 312x and 312y are used as references for detecting the position of the stage 310.

[0020] The lens barrel 31b has a cylindrical shape extending along the z-axis and is made of, for example, stainless steel. The lower end of the lens barrel 31b is located inside the writing chamber 31a. The drawing device 1 further includes, in the lens barrel 31b, an electron gun 320, an illumination lens 330, a reduction lens 331, an objective lens 332, a shaping aperture array plate 340, a limiting aperture array plate 341, a blanking aperture array mechanism (blanking aperture array system, blanking aperture array substrate) 350, and deflectors 360 and 361.

[0021] The electron gun 320 is located at the top inside the electron barrel 31b. The electron gun 320 is, for example, a hot cathode type electron gun, and includes elements such as a cathode, a Wehnelt electrode, and an anode. When the electron gun 320 receives a voltage, it emits an electron beam EB downward along the z axis (in the -z direction). The electron beam EB spreads along the xy plane as it travels along the z axis.

[0022] The illumination lens 330 is an annular electromagnetic lens, and is located below the electron gun 320 along the z-axis. The illumination lens 330 shapes the electron beam EB, which has spread in the xy plane and reaches the illumination lens 330, so that the electron beam EB travels in parallel along the z-axis.

[0023] The shaping aperture array plate 340 is located below the illumination lens 330 along the z-axis. The shaping aperture array plate 340 has a plurality of apertures, and causes a portion of the electron beam EB incident on the shaping aperture array plate 340 to pass through the plurality of apertures and branch into a plurality of electron beams EBm.

[0024] The blanking aperture array mechanism 350 is located below the shaping aperture array plate 340 along the z-axis (in the -z direction). The blanking aperture array mechanism 350 blanks the multiple electron beams EBm individually. The blanking aperture array mechanism 350 has multiple apertures, each of which is located below the opening of the shaping aperture array plate 340 along the z-axis (in the -z direction), and blankers provided around each aperture. Each blanker blanks the electron beam EBm that is incident on the aperture for which the blanker is provided.

[0025] The reduction lens 331 is an annular electromagnetic lens, and is located below (in the −z direction) along the z-axis of the blanking aperture array mechanism 350. The reduction lens 331 focuses the multiple electron beams EBm that are parallel to each other and have passed through the blanking aperture array mechanism 350, onto the center of the aperture of the limiting aperture array plate 341.

[0026] The limiting aperture array plate 341 has a plate-like shape extending along the xy plane and has an aperture at the center of the xy plane. The aperture is located near the convergence point (crossover point) of the multiple electron beams EBm that have passed through the reduction lens 331. A beam deflected by a blanker provided in the blanking aperture array mechanism 350 cannot pass through the aperture provided at the center of the limiting aperture array plate 341, and hits the limiting aperture array plate 341 and is blanked. The limiting aperture array plate 341 shapes the shape of the electron beam EBm along the xy plane by making the multiple electron beams EBm pass through the aperture. The shaped multiple electron beams EBm form a shot of a certain shape.

[0027] The deflector 360 is located below (in the -z direction) the limiting aperture array plate 341 along the z-axis. A shot-shaped electron beam EBm emitted from the limiting aperture array plate 341 is incident on the deflector 360. The deflector 360 includes multiple pairs of electrodes. In FIG. 1, only one pair of electrodes is shown to avoid unnecessary cluttering of the figure. The two electrodes constituting each pair are opposed to each other. Each electrode receives a voltage, and the deflector 360 deflects the incident electron beam EBm along the x-axis and / or the y-axis in response to the application of voltages to the multiple electrodes.

[0028] The objective lens 332 is an annular electromagnetic lens and surrounds the deflector 360. The objective lens 332 cooperates with the deflector 360 to focus the electron beam EBm onto a specific position on the sample 6.

[0029] The deflector 361 is located below the deflector 360 along the z-axis (in the -z direction). The electron beam EBm that has passed through the deflector 360 is incident on the deflector 361. The deflector 360 includes multiple pairs of electrodes. In FIG. 1, only one pair of electrodes is shown to avoid unnecessary cluttering of the figure. The two electrodes that make up each pair face each other. Each electrode receives a voltage, and the deflector 360 deflects the incident electron beam EBm along the x-axis and / or the y-axis in response to the application of voltages to the multiple electrodes.

[0030] The control circuit system 2 includes a control device 21, a power supply device 22, a lens driving device 23, a BAA control unit 24, an irradiation amount control unit 25, a deflector amplifier 27, and a stage driving device .

[0031] The control device 21 controls the power supply device 22, the lens driving device 23, the BAA control unit 24, the irradiation amount control unit 25, the deflector amplifier 27, and the stage driving device 28. The control device 21 receives, for example, an input from a user of the drawing apparatus 1, and controls the power supply device 22, the lens driving device 23, the BAA control unit 24, the irradiation amount control unit 25, the deflector amplifier 27, and the stage driving device 28 based on the received input.

[0032] The power supply unit 22 receives control data from the control unit 21, and applies a voltage to the electron gun 320 based on the received control data.

[0033] The lens driving device 23 receives control data from the control device 21, and controls the illumination lens 330 based on the received control data. Specifically, the lens driving device 23 controls the intensity of the illumination lens 330 with respect to the electron beam EB, i.e., the intensity at which the electron beam EB is refracted. The lens driving device 23 controls the intensity of the illumination lens 330 so as to shape the electron beam EB, which is incident on the illumination lens 330 from above the z axis of the illumination lens 330 and spreads along the xy plane as it travels, into an electron beam substantially parallel to the z axis.

[0034] The lens driving device 23 also receives control data from the control device 21, and controls the strength of the reduction lens 331 based on the received control data. The lens driving device 23 controls the strength of the reduction lens 331 so that the electron beam EBm incident on the reduction lens 331 from above the z-axis of the reduction lens 331 without being blanked and deflected by the blanker of the blanking aperture array mechanism 350 is focused onto the center of the aperture of the limiting aperture array plate 341.

[0035] The lens driving device 23 further receives control data from the control device 21, and controls the intensity of the objective lens 332 based on the received control data. The lens driving device 23 controls the intensity of the objective lens 332 so that the electron beam BM incident on the objective lens 332 from above the z-axis of the objective lens 332 is focused on the upper surface of the sample 6. The lens driving device 23 may reduce the electron beam BM.

[0036] The BAA control unit 24 receives BAA control data from the control device 21, and controls the blanking aperture array mechanism 350 based on the received control data.

[0037] The irradiation dose control unit 25 receives control data from the control device 21, and generates irradiation dose control data based on the received control data. The irradiation dose control unit 25 supplies the generated irradiation dose control data to the BAA control unit 24, and controls the irradiation dose of the electron beam BM to the sample 6 via the BAA control unit 24.

[0038] The deflector amplifier 27 receives control data from the controller 21 and generates control signals for controlling each of the deflectors 360 and 361 based on the received control data. The generated control signals are supplied to the deflectors 360 and 361, respectively. The signal for the deflector 360 specifies the potential difference between the two electrodes of each pair of the deflector 360. Similarly, the signal for the deflector 361 specifies the potential difference between the two electrodes of each pair of the deflector 361. The deflector amplifier 27 generates a signal for the deflector 360 so that the deflector 360 receives a voltage that deflects the electron beam EBm by an amount and / or a direction specified by the controller 21. Similarly, the deflector amplifier 27 generates a signal for the deflector 361 so that the deflector 360 receives a voltage that deflects the electron beam EBm by an amount and / or a direction specified by the controller 21.

[0039] The stage driving device 28 measures the positions of the mirrors 312x and 312y using means such as a laser sensor (not shown), and detects the position of the stage 310 based on the measured positions. The stage driving device 28 also receives control data from the control device 21, and drives the stage 310 based on the received control data. By driving the stage 310, the sample 6 moves to a desired position.

[0040] 2 shows the configuration of the control device 21 of the first embodiment, in particular the hardware configuration. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 21 includes a processor 211, a ROM (read only memory) 212, a storage device 213, an input device 214, an output device 215, and an interface 216.

[0041] The ROM 212 stores a program for controlling the processor in a non-volatile manner. The storage device 213 includes a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and / or a hard disk, and holds data. The processor 211 is, for example, a CPU (central processing unit), and is stored in the ROM 212, and performs various operations by executing a program loaded into the storage device 213. The processor 211 controls the storage device 213, the input device 214, the output device 215, and the interface 216 in accordance with the program. The program is configured to cause the control device 21, particularly the processor 211, to perform various operations.

[0042] The input device 214 includes one or more of a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, and enables a user of the drawing device 1 to input instructions and / or parameters. The output device 215 includes a display, and presents various information to the user of the drawing device 1. The interface 216 manages communication between the control device 21 and the power supply device 22, the lens driving device 23, the BAA control unit 24, the irradiation dose control unit 25, the deflector amplifier 27, and the stage driving device 28.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows the structure of the shaping aperture array plate 340 of the first embodiment along the xy plane. As shown in FIG. 3, the shaping aperture array plate 340 extends along the xy plane and has, for example, a rectangular shape. The shaping aperture array plate 340 has, for example, silicon as a base, and the surface of the base is covered with a thin film. The thin film is, for example, chromium, and can be formed by plating or sputtering. The shaping aperture array plate 340 has a plurality of apertures 340a. The apertures 340a penetrate two surfaces, i.e., the top surface and the bottom surface, that face each other along the z axis of the shaping aperture array plate 340. The apertures 340a are arranged, for example, in a matrix along the x axis and the y axis. The apertures 340a are, for example, square, and have substantially the same shape as each other.

[0044] The electron beam EB emitted from the electron gun 320 is shaped by the illumination lens 330 to be parallel along the z-axis, and is incident on the upper surface of the shaping aperture array plate 340. A portion of the incident electron beam EB is blocked by the shaping aperture array plate 340, and the remainder passes through the aperture 340a. By such selective blocking and passing of the electron beam EB, the electron beam EB is split (multiplexed) into a plurality of electron beams EBm traveling downward along the z-axis.

[0045] Fig. 4 shows the structure of the blanking aperture array mechanism 350 of the first embodiment along the xz plane. As shown in Fig. 4, the blanking aperture array mechanism 350 includes a base 351. The base 351 extends along the xy plane.

[0046] A substrate 352 is provided on the upper surface of the base 351. The substrate 352 is made of a semiconductor such as silicon. The edge of the bottom surface of the substrate 352 is located on the upper surface of the substrate 352, and the central portion 352a is thinner than the edge. The substrate 352 includes a plurality of apertures 353 in the central portion 352a. Each aperture 353 spans the upper surface and the bottom surface of the substrate 352. The apertures 353 are arranged in the xy plane. Each aperture 353 is located below the aperture 340a of the shaping aperture array plate 340 along the z axis, and has a shape in the xy plane similar to the shape of the aperture 340a in the xy plane, for example, and is slightly larger than the shape of the aperture 340a in the xy plane. The center of each aperture 353 substantially coincides with the center of the aperture 340a of the shaping aperture array plate 340 on the xy plane. The aperture 353 allows the electron beam EBm that has passed through the aperture 340 a of the shaping aperture array plate 340 to pass therethrough.

[0047] The blanking aperture array arrangement 350 also includes a number of electrode pairs 354. Each electrode pair 354 is provided for one aperture 340a, includes electrodes 355 and 356, and functions as a blanker. The electrodes 355 and 356 include or consist of copper, for example. The electrodes 355 and 356 of each electrode pair 354 are spaced apart from each other and sandwich one aperture 353 for which the electrode pair 354 is provided.

[0048] Control circuits 357 are provided in a portion of the substrate 352 between adjacent electrode pairs 354 (between electrode 355 of one electrode pair 354 and electrode 356 of the adjacent electrode pair 354). Each control circuit 357 is provided for one electrode pair 354. Each control circuit 357 receives various control signals, and applies a voltage to one electrode pair 354 for which the control circuit 357 is provided, based on the received control signals. Each control circuit 357 includes elements such as a plurality of transistors and resistors formed on the substrate 352.

[0049] Data output circuits 359 are provided at an end of central portion 352a of substrate 352. Each data output circuit 359 receives control data DLS from BAA control unit 24, and outputs control data DL in a format different from the control data DLS in parallel from the received control data DLS. Data output circuits 359 include elements such as a plurality of transistors and resistors formed on substrate 352.

[0050] Fig. 5 shows the structure of the blanking aperture array mechanism 350 of the first embodiment along the xy plane. As shown in Fig. 5, each electrode 356 has a shape in which one side is removed from a rectangle. The three sides of the electrode 356 extend along the three sides of the aperture 353 surrounded by the electrode 356. Fig. 5 shows, as an example, a structure in which each electrode 356 extends along two sides of the aperture 353 parallel to the x axis and the left side of the two sides parallel to the y axis.

[0051] Each electrode 355 extends along one side of the corresponding aperture 353 that is not extended by the electrode 356 that constitutes the electrode pair 354 with that electrode 355. Fig. 5 shows a structure in which each electrode 355 extends along the right side of the two sides parallel to the y-axis.

[0052] The electrode 356 is grounded. Each electrode 355 is electrically connected to one control circuit 357 corresponding to that electrode 355.

[0053] As described above, each control circuit 357 receives various control signals. The control signals include a clock signal and control data DL. The control signals are provided from the BAA control unit 24. The control circuit 357 is also connected to a node of the internal power supply potential VCC (e.g., 5V).

[0054] Each electrode 356 is connected to a node at a common (ground) potential VSS (eg, 0 V).

[0055] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the blanking aperture array mechanism 350 of the first embodiment, and further shows related elements. As shown in FIG. 6, the blanking aperture array mechanism 350 has a plurality of data output circuits 359 (359A, 359B, ...). Each data output circuit 359 receives a clock from the BAA control unit 24, and also receives control data DLS (DLSA, DLSB, ...) for the corresponding data output circuit 359. That is, the data output circuit 359A receives the control data DLSA from the BAA control unit 24, and the data output circuit 359B receives the control data DLSB from the BAA control unit 24. The same is true for the other data output circuits 359. The control data DLS consists of a plurality of bits.

[0056] Each data output circuit 359 is connected to a set of control circuits 357. Each data output circuit 359 outputs a plurality of control data DL in parallel based on the received control data DLS. Also, each data output circuit 359 outputs an error detection code EDT for a certain control data DL. In this embodiment, the error detection code EDT is described as being generated by the data output circuit 359, but it may be generated by the BAA control unit 24. The error detection code EDT output by the data output circuit 359 is received by an error detection circuit 358 connected to the data output circuit 359 via the control circuit 357. Hereinafter, this received error detection code EDT will be referred to as a transmission error detection code EDT.

[0057] The control data DL is supplied to a set of control circuits 357. The blanking aperture array mechanism 350 further includes error detection circuits 358, the number of which is the same as the number of data output circuits 359 included in the blanking aperture array mechanism 350, and a logical sum (OR) gate 3582. Each control circuit 357 includes a register as described below, and the set of control circuits 357 can transfer data via the register. The control circuits 357 will be described in detail later.

[0058] Each error detection circuit 358 is provided for a certain set of control circuits 357 and is connected to a certain number of control circuits 357 in the set of control circuits 357. The details of the connection between the error detection circuit 358 and the corresponding set of control circuits 357 will be described later.

[0059] Each error detection circuit 358 receives control data DL from a plurality of control circuits 357 connected to the error detection circuit 358. Each error detection circuit 358 receives a certain control data DL and a transmission error detection code EDT for the control data DL from the data output circuit 359 via the control circuit 357. Each error detection circuit 358 detects an error in the received control data DL based on the received control data DL and the transmission error detection code EDT. More specifically, this is as follows.

[0060] Each error detection circuit 358 generates an error detection code from the received data, i.e., the control data DL, in a certain manner. The method that can be used may be of any type, and examples of the method include a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) and a checksum. Hereinafter, the error detection code generated by the error detection circuit 358 is referred to as a calculated error detection code EDC.

[0061] The transmission error detection code EDT and the calculated error detection code EDC for certain control data DL should match if the control data DL is correctly transmitted from the data output circuit 359 to the error detection circuit 358. Based on this fact, the error detection circuit 358 compares the transmission error detection code EDT with the calculated error detection code EDC.

[0062] When the transmission error detection code EDT for a certain control data DL does not match the calculated error detection code EDC, the error detection circuit 358 outputs a detection signal indicating the mismatch. This detection signal is, for example, a digital signal, and indicates the detection of the mismatch by a high level.

[0063] The OR gate 3582 receives detection signals from all the error detection circuits 358. If any one of the received detection signals has a high level, the OR gate 3582 outputs a high-level notification signal indicating that an error has been detected. The notification signal output by the OR gate 3582 is transmitted to the control device 21. When the control device 21 receives the notification signal indicating that an error has been detected, it notifies a user of the detection of an error using, for example, the output device 215 in FIG. 2.

[0064] 7 is a more detailed circuit diagram of a portion of the blanking aperture array mechanism 350 of the first embodiment, and representatively shows elements that are directly or indirectly connected to one data output circuit 359. Portions connected to other data output circuits 359 also have the elements and connections shown in FIG.

[0065] As described above, a plurality of control data DL are formed from the control data DLS. FIG. 7 shows an example of four control data DL. The four control data DL are referred to as control data DLa, DLb, DLc, and DLd. Each control circuit 357 receives the control data DLa, DLb, DLc, or DLd. The transmission error correction code EDT for the control data DLa, DLb, DLc, and DLd may be referred to as the transmission error correction code EDTa, EDTb, EDTc, and EDTd, respectively. The control circuits 357 receiving the control data DLa, DLb, DLc, and DLd, respectively, may be referred to as the control circuits 357a, 357b, 357c, and 357d.

[0066] Each control circuit 357 includes one register (e.g., D-type flip-flop) 3571 (3571a, 3571b, 3571c, 3571d), at least one buffer 3572, and a level shifter 3573. FIG. 7 and the following description are based on an example in which each control circuit 357 includes one buffer 3572.

[0067] Each register 3571 and each buffer 3572 holds one bit of data. In each control circuit 357, the output of the register 3571 is connected to the input of the buffer 3572. Each buffer 3572 receives a control signal from, for example, the BAA control unit 24, holds the data received at the input based on the control signal, and outputs the held data based on the control signal. Each control circuit 357 may include a plurality of buffers 3572 connected in series.

[0068] In each control circuit 357, the output of the buffer 3572 is connected to the input of the level shifter 3573. The level shifter 3573 converts the voltage level of the received input and outputs a voltage having a magnitude according to the input. The output voltage is applied to one electrode 355 that is controlled by the control circuit 357 that outputs the voltage. By applying a voltage to each electrode 355, as described above, a potential difference is formed between the electrode 355 and the electrode 356 that forms a pair with the electrode 355. This potential difference bends the trajectory of the electron beam EBm that enters the region between the electrodes 355 and 356, and the electron beam EBm is blanked.

[0069] The register 3571 receives, for example, a clock as a control signal from the BAA control unit 24. The register 3571 is connected to the data output circuit 359 by a signal line. The register 3571 receives the control data DL and the transmission error correction code EDT for the control data DL from the data output circuit 359 on the signal line. The register 3571 holds the control data DL and the transmission error correction code EDT input from the data output circuit 359 based on the control signal, and also outputs the held control data DL and the transmission error correction code EDT to the buffer 3572 based on the control signal.

[0070] The register 3571 of the control circuit 357a is referred to as register 3571a. Similarly, the register 3571 of the control circuit 357b, the register 3571 of the control circuit 357c, and the register 3571 of the control circuit 357d are referred to as registers 3571b, 3571c, and 3571d, respectively.

[0071] Each register 3571a is connected in series with the adjacent register 3571a by a signal line, and the series-connected registers 3571 form a shift register. That is, the output of one register 3571a is directly connected to the input of another register 3571a. Similarly, register 3571b is connected in series to form a shift register, register 3571c is connected in series to form a shift register, and register 3571c is connected in series to form a shift register.

[0072] The error detection circuit 358 includes registers 3580 in the same number as the number of control data DL, i.e., in the current example, includes registers 3580a, 3580b, 3580c, and 3580d. The register 3580a receives the output of the register 3571a in the final stage of the registers 3571a connected in series. Similarly, the registers 3580b, 3580c, and 3580d receive the output of the register 3571b in the final stage of the registers 3571b connected in series, the output of the register 3571c in the final stage of the registers 3571c connected in series, and the output of the register 3571d in the final stage of the registers 3571d connected in series, respectively. The error detection circuit 358 calculates a calculated error detection code EDC for the data held in the registers 3580.

[0073] Fig. 8 shows a part of Fig. 7. A register 3571a in the nth stage (n is a natural number), a register 3571b in the nth stage, a register 3571c in the nth stage, and a register 3571d in the nth stage receive control data DL for controlling blanking of a plurality of electron beams EBm. Such control data DL is, for example, data for controlling blanking in one operation of any kind. Such 3571a, 3571b, 3571c, and 3571d in one stage receive control data DLa, DLb, DLc, and DLd constituting a certain control data DL, and hereinafter, the registers 3571a, 3571b, 3571c, and 3571d in the same stage are hereinafter referred to as a register set 3571G.

[0074] The control data DL in the n-th stage registers 3571a, 3571b, 3571c, and 3571d are transferred to a buffer set 3572G. The buffer set 3572G is made up of a total of four buffers 3572 in each of the four control circuits 357 each including one of the four registers 3571 in the register set 3571G in a certain stage.

[0075] 1.2.Operation 9 shows an outline of data transfer and generation in the drawing device 1 of the first embodiment. In particular, FIG. 9 shows a certain register set 3571G, a buffer set 3572G connected to this register set 3571G, and data in the error detection circuit 358.

[0076] As shown in the top part of Fig. 9, the data output circuit 359 outputs control data A. The control data A is control data DL consisting of a certain bit string, and is made up of control data DLa, DLb, DLc, and DLd of certain bit values, and is made up of multiple bits related to each other for controlling blanking of a certain number of electron beams EBm. For example, the control data A is data for controlling blanking in one operation of any type. The output control data A is received by a register set 3571G of a certain stage via a register 3571.

[0077] As shown in the second row from the top in FIG. 9, control data A is transferred to a buffer set 3572G included in a control circuit 357 that includes a register set 3571G that received the control data A.

[0078] Specifically, data received as control data DLa of the control data A is transferred to a buffer 3572 in the control circuit 357 including the n-th stage register 3571a. Similarly, data received as control data DLb of the control data A is transferred to a buffer 3572 in the control circuit 357 including the n-th stage register 3571b. Data received as control data DLc of the control data A is transferred to a buffer 3572 in the control circuit 357 including the n-th stage register 3571c. Data received as control data DLd of the control data A is transferred to a buffer 3572 in the control circuit 357 including the n-th stage register 3571d. After this, the control data A is transferred from the buffer set 3572G to a set of level shifters 3573 (not shown).

[0079] Also, the control data A is transferred to the error detection circuit 358 via the register 3571 in the stage after the stage of the register set 3571G. That is, the data received as the control data DLa of the control data A reaches the register 3580a of the error detection circuit 358 from the register 3571a in the nth stage via the registers 3571a in the (n+1)th stage and thereafter. The data received as the control data DLb of the control data A reaches the register 3580b of the error detection circuit 358 from the register 3571b in the nth stage via the registers 3571b in the (n+1)th stage and thereafter. The data received as the control data DLc of the control data A reaches the register 3580c of the error detection circuit 358 from the register 3571c in the nth stage via the registers 3571c in the (n+1)th stage and thereafter. The data received as control data DLd out of the control data A reaches the register 3580d of the error detection circuit 358 from the register 3571d in the nth stage via the registers 3571d in the (n+1)th stage and thereafter.

[0080] As shown in the third row from the top of FIG. 9, the error detection circuit 358 calculates an error detection code (calculated error detection code EDC) for the control data A. The data output circuit 359 calculates an error detection code (transmission error detection code EDT) for the control data A and outputs the transmission error detection code EDT for the control data A. The transmission error detection code EDT for the control data A consists of the transmission error detection codes EDTa, EDTb, EDTc, and EDTd for the control data DLa, DLb, DLc, and DLd that constitute the control data DLA. The transmission error detection code EDT for the control data A is received by the register set 3571G. On the other hand, unlike the control data DL (e.g., control data A), the transmission error detection code EDT for the control data A is not transferred to the buffer set 3572G. For that purpose, if the transmission error detection code EDT is held in the register 3571, the BAA control unit 24 does not supply the control signal described with reference to FIG.

[0081] As shown in the bottom part of FIG. 9, the transmission error detection code EDT for the control data A is received by the error detection circuit 358 via a register 3571 in a stage subsequent to the stage of the register set 3571G, similar to the control data DL.

[0082] 9 shows an example in which the transmission error detection code EDT for the control data A is output from the data output circuit 359 immediately after the control data A. However, the timing at which the transmission error detection code EDT is output is not limited to the example of FIG. 9. For example, the transmission error detection code EDT for the control data A may be output prior to the control data A. Also, another control data and / or another transmission error detection code EDT may be output between the control data A and the transmission error detection code EDT for the control data A.

[0083] 1.3. Advantages (Effects) The blanking aperture array mechanism 350 includes an error detection circuit 358, which receives the control data DL supplied to the level shifter 3573, calculates a calculated error detection code EDC from the received control data DL, receives a transmission error detection code EDT for the control data DL, and compares the calculated error detection code EDC with the transmission error detection code EDT. The transmission error detection code EDT and the calculated error detection code EDC for a certain control data DL should match if the control data DL is correctly transmitted from the data output circuit 359 to the error detection circuit 358. Therefore, the match between the calculated error detection code EDC and the transmission error detection code EDT indicates that the serially connected registers 3571 are normal. Therefore, by comparing the calculated error detection code EDC with the transmission error detection code EDT, it is possible to confirm that all the registers 3571 that receive the control data DL output from the data output circuit 359 are normal.

[0084] The transfer of data necessary for such an inspection additionally includes only the transfer of the transmission error detection code EDT in addition to the transfer of the control data DL in the serially connected registers 3571 in the case where the first embodiment is not applied. That is, the transfer of the transmission error detection code EDT is possible only by inserting it into the transfer of the control data DL. The transmission error detection code EDT consists of only a few bits. Therefore, the transfer of the control data DL, and thus the drawing, is prevented from being significantly hindered due to the data inspection. That is, it is possible to inspect the path for transferring the control data DL during drawing without significantly hindering the progress of drawing in the case where the first embodiment is not applied.

[0085] 2. Second embodiment The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the blanking aperture array mechanism 350 and in points related thereto. The second embodiment is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. Below, the configuration and operation of the second embodiment will be described mainly with respect to points that differ from the first embodiment.

[0086] 2.1.Configuration 10 is a more detailed circuit diagram of the blanking aperture array mechanism 350 of the second embodiment, and representatively shows elements directly or indirectly connected to one data output circuit 359. The blanking aperture array mechanism 350 of the second embodiment may be referred to as a blanking aperture array mechanism 350B to distinguish it from the blanking aperture array mechanism 350 of the first embodiment.

[0087] The blanking aperture array mechanism 350B differs from the blanking aperture array mechanism 350 of the first embodiment in the details of the control circuit 357. The control circuit 357 of the second embodiment may be referred to as a control circuit 357B to distinguish it from the control circuit 357 of the first embodiment.

[0088] In each control circuit 357B, the buffer 3572 is further connected at its output to the input of a register 3571 in that control circuit 357B. When each control circuit 357 includes multiple buffers 3572 connected in series, the output of the final-stage buffer 3572 is connected to the register 3571.

[0089] The above description relates to an example in which, in all of the control circuits 357B, the output of the buffer 3572 is further connected to the input of the register 3571 in the control circuit 357B. The embodiment is not limited to this configuration, and the output of the buffer 3572 may be further connected to the input of the register 3571 in only one or more of all of the control circuits 357B.

[0090] 2.2.Operation 11 shows an outline of data transfer and generation in the drawing device 1 of the second embodiment. In particular, FIG. 11 shows a certain register set 3571G, a buffer set 3572G connected to this register set 3571G, and data in the error detection circuit 358.

[0091] As shown in the top portion of FIG. 11, control data A is received by register set 3571G and transferred to buffer set 3572G.

[0092] As shown in the second row from the top of FIG. 11, control data B is received by the register set 3571G. do.

[0093] 11, control data A is transferred to a set of level shifters 3573 (not shown) and is also transferred again to a register set 3571G. At the same time, control data B is transferred to a buffer set 3572G.

[0094] Figure 1 1 As shown in the bottom portion, the control data A in the register set 3571G is transferred to the error detection circuit 358 via a register 3571 in a stage subsequent to the stage of the register set 3571G, as described with reference to Figure 9 of the first embodiment.

[0095] Thereafter, the same processing as that described with reference to the third row from the top and the bottom row of FIG. 9 of the first embodiment is carried out for the control data A. That is, the calculated error detection code EDC for the control data A is calculated by the error detection circuit 358 , and the transmission error detection code EDT for the control data A is transferred from the data output circuit 359 to the error detection circuit 358 via the register 3571 .

[0096] The error detection circuit 358 compares the calculated error detection code EDC for the control data A thus obtained with the transmission error detection code EDT, as in the first embodiment.

[0097] 2.3.Advantages According to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the error detection circuit 358 compares the calculated error detection code EDC with the transmission error detection code EDT, and therefore the same advantages as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0098] Further, each control circuit 357B includes a register 3571 connected to the output of the buffer 3572 of the control circuit 357B, and the error detection circuit 358 calculates a calculated error detection code EDC from the control data DL received from the buffer 3572 via the register 3571. If the control data DL in a certain register 3571 is correctly transmitted to the buffer 3572, it should match the form received by the register 3571. Therefore, the fact that the calculated error detection code EDC generated as in the second embodiment and the transmission error detection code EDT match indicates that the buffer 3572, in addition to the register 3571 connected in series, are normal. Therefore, by comparing the calculated error detection code EDC and the transmission error detection code EDT of the second embodiment, it is possible to confirm that all the registers 3571 that receive the control data DL output from the data output circuit 359 and all the buffers 3572 that transmit the control data DL are normal.

[0099] Although the first and second embodiments have been described based on an example in which the blanking aperture array mechanisms 350 and 350B are used in a drawing apparatus 1, the present invention is not limited to this example. The blanking aperture array mechanisms 350 and 350B may also be used in an inspection apparatus.

[0100] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1...drawing device, 2...control circuit system, 3...drawing mechanism, 6...sample, 31...vacuum chamber, 31a...lighting chamber, 31b...lens barrel, 310...stage, 312...mirror, 320...electron gun, 330...illumination lens, 331...reduction lens, 332...objective lens, 340...shaping aperture array plate, 341...limiting aperture array plate, 350...blanking aperture array mechanism, 351...base, 352...substrate, 353...aperture, 354...electrode pair, 355...electrode, 356...electrode, 357...control circuit, 3571...register, 3571G...register set, 3572...buffer, 3572G...buffer set, 3573...level shifter, 3580...register 358...error detection circuit, 3582...OR gate, 359...data output circuit, 360...deflector, 361...deflector, 21...control device, 22...power supply device, 23...lens driving device, 24...BAA control unit, 25...irradiation dose control unit, 27...deflector amplifier, 28...stage driving device, 211...processor, 212...ROM, 213...memory device, 214...input device, 215...output device, 216...interface, DL, DLa, DLb, DLc, DLd...control data.

Claims

1. In a blanking aperture array system used in a multi-charged particle beam irradiation device, a data output circuit that outputs first data, which is one of control data used for beam irradiation, and a first error detection code generated from the first data for detecting an error in the first data; a shift register including a plurality of registers connected in series, the shift register transferring the first data and the first error detection code input from the data output circuit; a buffer that receives the first data output from a first register that is one of the plurality of registers; an electrode for receiving a voltage based on the first data output from the buffer; receiving the first data and the first error detection code from a final stage register of the plurality of registers; generating a second error detection code from the first data received from the final stage shift register, the second error detection code being used to detect an error in the first data; generating a detection signal indicating a match when the first error detection code from the final stage register and the second error detection code match, and indicating a mismatch when they do not match; An error detection circuit; 1. A blanking aperture array system comprising:

2. In a blanking aperture array system used in a multi-charged particle beam irradiation device, a data output circuit that outputs first data, which is one of control data used for beam irradiation, and a first error detection code generated from the first data for detecting an error in the first data; a shift register including a plurality of registers connected in series, the shift register transferring the first data and the first error detection code input from the data output circuit; a buffer that receives the first data output from a first register that is one of the plurality of registers; an electrode for receiving a voltage based on the first data output from the buffer; receiving the first error detection code from a final stage register of the plurality of registers; receiving, from the final stage register, the first data output from the buffer, received by the first register, and transferred via the shift register; generating a second error detection code from the first data received from the final stage register for detecting an error in the first data; generating a detection signal indicating a match when the first error detection code from the final stage register and the second error detection code match, and indicating a mismatch when they do not match; An error detection circuit; 1. A blanking aperture array system comprising:

3. The first data and the first error detection code are shifted simultaneously with the second data, which is the next control data, being sent to the shift register, and are input to the error detection circuit input.

3. A blanking aperture array system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a control device that outputs the first data and the second error detection code to the data output circuit; 3. A blanking aperture array system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A movable stage and a beam source that irradiates a charged particle beam toward the stage; The blanking aperture array system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, located between the beam source and the stage; and a control device that outputs the first data and the second error detection code to the data output circuit; A charged particle beam writing apparatus comprising:

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