OPC model accuracy study using high volume contour based gauges and deep learning on memory device

As the design node of memory device shrinks, OPC model accuracy is becoming ever more critical from development to manufacturing. To improve the model accuracy, more and more physical effects are analyzed and terms for those physical effects are added. But it is unachievable to capture the complete physical effects. In this study, deep neural network is employed and studied to improve model accuracy. Regularization is achieved using physical guidance model. To address overfitting issue, high volume of contour based edge placement (EP) gauges (>10K) are generated using fast eBeam tool (eP5) and metrology processing software (MXP) without increasing turnaround time. It is shown that the new approach improved model accuracy by >47% compared to traditional approach on >1.4K verification gauges.