SOP - JEOL JBX-8100FS E-Beam Writer

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How to watch videos

To watch videos, Purdue users will need to click the video link and then login to their Microsoft Account. There is no need to login to Confluence.

Notes on using the SOP:

  • Videos are for demonstration and learning assistance purposes but are not frequently updated.

  • You must refer to the text of the SOP for full, proper, up-to-date information on operation, information, and important considerations.

  • If there is a conflict between the content in the videos and the SOP text, the SOP text should be followed.

  • Text in the SOP is somewhat color coded to assist the reader:

    • "Normal" text is black (or grey, in dark mode)

    • Important reminders and the names of buttons to press are in bold

    • Links are blue.

    • Safety, points of potential tool damage, or critical reminders are red with the “no entry” sign emoji to the left.

    • Background informational notes are purple.

  • Use the drop down menus to get more information on each step of the SOP.

0 Software Update Notes - 20221215

  1. Helpfully, the machine will now ignore presses of the LOAD/UNLOAD button when it is not green.

    1. Pressing LOAD/UNLOAD at the wrong time (when there is not a cassette on the stage at the ORG position, or when no cassette is on the stage and cassette is in the load lock) will no longer trigger an error that requires Bill or I reset via Manager mode.

    2. HOWEVER, you can still cause vacuum problems if you press the EVAC/VENT button when a cassette is on the stage.

    3. ONLY press EVAC/VENT if the “Cassette on Stage” light is off!

  2. Due to changes in the underlying software, any “old” MGN files that you would like to re-expose will need to be remade “fresh” for future exposures.

    1. This can be done as normal with the purple SCHD square (or by re-creating in Job Maker, if you do it the old way).

    2. Contact me if you have any questions.

  3. There is now an “Origin” button to move the stage+cassette to the ORG/Origin position.

    1. This is instead of the old method of selecting ORG from the Fixed Position drop down, and clicking the MOVE button.

    2. Annoyingly, it is very close to, and looks very similar to, the MOVE button. Be sure to tell them apart:

    3. There is no longer an ORG position under the ‘Fixed Position’ drop down:

    4. I have added an “Origin (ORG)” entry to the ‘User Def. Position’ drop down in case it’s needed…but you should just use the new Origin button:

  4. The new “Origin” button has a major bug.

    1. If the HEI button is clicked and height measurement fails, the Origin button will be stuck greyed out.

    2. To un-grey it:

      1. In the Fixed Position drop down, select BE.

      2. Click the MOVE button.

      3. Click the HEI button to successfully measure the height of the BE mark.

      4. Unclick the HEI button to stop height measurement.

      5. The Origin button will be un-greyed and is then usable again.

  5. There is now a “Pause” button in the Exposure page, but it’s not useful to us as far as I can tell.

    1. The Pause button pauses exposure after an entire Layer is complete, which means it will not pause in the middle of a V30, in the middle of an array of the same V30, or in the middle of an array of different V30s. We usually put all the files in the same Layer (unless maybe if you’re exposing on different windows within the same MGN?).

    2. If you do use it, I also can’t tell the difference between the “Do not unload” and “Unload” options.

  6. When loading/unloading the cassette with LOAD/UNLOAD, previously both IV2 and IV3 were closed. Now only IV3 closes.

    1. Per JEOL, this is intentional and will not cause problems on the system.

    2. The Manual Loader Viewer window will look different when you’re loading/unloading a cassette:

These changes have not yet been updated in the SOP, I will integrate them as soon as I'm able.

1 Training Materials

Questions on the materials? Send a Teams chat to Justin and Bill

1 Intro to EBL Presentation

2 Intro to the JEOL JBX-8100FS Presentation

3 Hardware Overview Video (8 mins)

4 Hardware Behind the Scenes Video (6 mins, Background Info) ( Do not interact with anything you see in this video)

5 Hardware Detail Presentation

6 Jbxwriter (Software) Overview Video (54 mins)

7 Jbxwriter (Software) Detail Presentation

8 Watch and Skim Read SOP Section: 2 Data Preparation (45 mins)Do not worry about reading the text in the Beamer sections in detail at this point, it will later be useful as a step by step when you have the software open. Do watch the Tracer videos as background information.

9 Watch and Skim Read SOP Section: 3 Machine Operation

10 Read SOP Section: 5 Frequently Asked Questions

11 Review: Review all previous material as necessary until you feel comfortable with the flow of the operation of the system.

12 Preliminary User Test: Download and fill out the 8100 Preliminary User Quiz - User Copy.docx (this may be done while you complete the previous steps). Once finished, submit your quiz in the iLab JEOL JBX-8100FS E-Beam Writer Training Request for Step 2: Preliminary User Quiz.

2 Data Preparation

2.1 Layout

Create a layout in GDS or OAS formats (can also be others) using something like KLayout, LayoutEditor, L-Edit, or GdsPy.

Have a layout in GDS, OAS, DXF, CIF, etc (OAS is far superior to other other formats but it is underutilized). These can be created with a variety of programs:

2.2 8100calculator.xlsx

Use 8100calculator.xlsx to help determine your Shot Pitch and other write parameters.

The 8100calculator.xlsx file is meant to help you select your current, shot pitch, beam step size, ensure your required clock speed is under the maximum clock speed of the tool, and estimate the write time of your pattern.

8100 Calculator video notes - Since the video was recorded, the file has been updated to:

  • Fix a bug in the calculation of the max. clock speed. The predicted max. clock speed from 8100calculator now matches that on the 8100 software.

  • The number of points that the beam steps has been clarified to be the "shot pitch" (as in Beamer) and the size of the beam step in nanometers has been clarified to be the "beam step size". This is now consistent with the rest of the materials.

Video 2.2: 8100calculator.xlsx

  1. Download and open 8100calculator.xlsx or use a previously downloaded copy.

    1. If it opens in Protected View, click Enable Editing.

    2. White boxes can/should be edited, grey boxes are locked (and can be unlocked with the password specified in the file), and the Shot Pitch and Req. Clock Speed boxes will be green if acceptable values are input, or red if unacceptable values are input.

  2. Use the file to help pick a good Shot Pitch and ensure your exposure parameters will not exceed the maximum clock speed of 125 MHz.

    1. In the Beam Current box, use the drop down to select the write current

      1. The theoretical minimum beam diameter is displayed directly below the current.

    2. In the Minimum Dose box, input your planned minimum dose for your exposure.

      1. For PEC exposures, this will be the smallest dose multiplier times your base dose. For dose arrays, this will be your smallest dose (accounting for PEC adjustments, if necessary), and for non-PEC and non-dose array exposures, this will just be your base dose.

    3. In the Pattern Unit box, by default leave this at 0.5 nm (needs to equal the value used in the Beamer Export module used to create your V30 file).

      1. This can be changed if necessary, but typically should be left at 0.5 nm and the Beam Scan Step/Shot Pitch should be varied.

    4. In the Beam Scan Step box, input your Scan Step (in points or pixels) to match your selected value in the Beamer Export module used to create your V30 file.

    5. The resulting Shot Pitch (Pattern Unit (nm) x Beam Scan Step (pts) = Shot Pitch (nm)) is shown, and is highlighted in green if less than the minimum beam diameter, and red if greater than the minimum beam diameter.

      1. Ideally, the shot pitch should be ~3-4x smaller than your minimum feature size.

      2. For small features: The larger the shot pitch, the larger the edge roughness and feature size non-uniformity.

      3. A shot pitch larger than the beam diameter will usually give poor features, hence the red highlighting. It would be good to use a shot pitch at least 1/2 your beam diameter, but doesn't need to be smaller than 1/4 your beam diameter.

    6. The required clock speed will also be shown, and needs to be ≤125 MHz.

      1. This will be highlighted in green when ≤125 MHz, and red if > 125 MHz.

      2. This absolutely needs to be < 125 MHz or the machine will not be able to expose the pattern, and will throw an error.

  3. You can also use the file to very roughly estimate your write time

    1. In Pattern area per chip, enter your pattern area from Beamer.

      1. Write time is proportional to pattern area.

    2. In Average Dose, enter your base dose, or a more appropriate dose estimate if available.

      1. Write time is proportional to dose.

    3. In Fields in each chip, enter the number of write fields in each chip (as shown by Beamer for your V30 file)

      1. Motion between fields takes ~0.25 s on the 8100.

    4. In Number of chips, enter the total number of chips in the exposure.

      1. For exposure of a single pattern/chip, this will be 1.

    5. In the lower section, you will see estimates for E-beam write time and stage motion time, and the total write time.

      1. Here, the estimated write time is based only on beam on time (the necessary time for the beam to be on to achieve the average dose on your pattern area). In reality, there are additional time components due to subfield settling, polygon placement settling, beam blanking, etc., which are not included in this estimate. PEC may increase the write time due to these effects.

      2. The stage motion time is just 0.25 s x Total Fields. This may be large for large chip area but small exposure area (sparse) patterns and small field sizes (e.g. 100 μm by 100 μm).

      3. Total write time is the addition of the E-beam write time and Stage motion time.

  4. If desired, save the file for your own later use.

2.3 Tracer (Optional) - Create PSF for PEC

If performing PEC on a new materials stack, use Tracer to export a PSF for import into Beamer. Tracer is available on the PC next to the JEOL itself.

Tracer can optionally be used to create a point spread function of your exposure for use in Beamer with Proximity Effect Correction. This is not mandatory, but is a good idea when you're starting out to get a feel for scattering and start using PEC on your patterns. You will have a much easier time finding doses when your patterns change if you have been using PEC and know the base dose for your patterns/substrate/etc. If you're interested in learning about advanced PEC, refer to the Genisys Beamer PEC Webinars

Video 2.3a: Tracer - Scattering vs. Vacc

Video 2.3b: Tracer - PSF Creation

2.4 Beamer - V30

In Beamer, Import → Heal → Export. In export, set shot pitch as appropriate. Then Run or Run to last box. For info on more advanced operation, watch the Beamer Webinar Material. Beamer is available on the PC next to the JEOL itself, and a remote computer (optional instructions for accessing the remote computer here).

2.5 Beamer - VisualJob creation of SDF and JDF files

Setup write parameters for the particular V30 file(s) to be written (Substrate → Global Mark → Layers → Arrays → Data to Place). Save, then Generate Jobdeck to make JDF and SDF files.

3 Machine Operation

3.1 Starting

  1. Enable the JBX-8100FS in the BRK Lithography Core iLab Kiosk

  2. Bring up the jbxwriter software. It may be minimized or on a different desktop tab (check the boxes in the lower right).

  3. Check if a cassette is already on the stage, or if one is in the load lock. Proceed accordingly.

  4. Check the set condition file; change the if necessary (Ensure Restore and DEMAG are checked)

3.2 Mount Sample onto Cassette

3.2.1 General Cassette Reminders

3.2.2 Wafer Cassette Mounting

Load wafer into cassette, ensuring wafer is flat and well aligned

3.2.3 Piece Cassette Mounting

  1. Use correct spacer ring and ensure clips won’t block height laser

  2. Mount sample

  3. Adjust rotation as necessary (<1 degree for aligned writes, ideally <0.2 degrees, use 8100calculator.xlsx and verniers for easy fine adjustment).

  4. Zero stage on LL Zero Landmark (picvideo).

  5. Find chip edges/alignment marks with microscope.

  6. Record location of chip center (unaligned write) or P mark (aligned write).

3.3 Load Cassette into Machine

  1. Open Exchange Chamber Access door. At load lock, ensure "Cassette on stage" LED is off, then EVAC/VENT.

  2. Open LL, place cassette into pouch, insert pouch into LL, then LOAD/UNLOAD. Close door.

3.4 Check Sample Height

  1. In jbxwriter, set cassette in Cassette Type… button in Stage Control tab

  2. Once cassette is loaded, go to sample center or P mark, check sample height with HEI button.

3.5 Material Corrections

3.5.1 Unaligned Exposure Material Corrections

In the Calibration Page, Material Corr. tab, click Load button, load 0_currentnA.mcorrprm. In the Beam Drift sub-tab, click Set BE Mark, then Execute, then LR Update, then LR Save.

3.5.2 Aligned Exposure Material Corrections

3.5.2.1 Find the P Mark

  1. Find the P Mark with the SEM

  2. Register the Substrate position in UsrMayRegist: P Mark.

3.5.2.2 Load your MCORRPRM file

Load previously created MCORRPRM file, or create a new one. If creating, load 0_currentnA.mcorrprm, save as alias_YYYYMMDD_currentnA_windowID_markpattern.mpcorrprm

3.5.2.3 Determine the P Mark Offset and Update Global Mark Detection Offset

Move to P Mark Design Position, select UsrMayRegist: P Mark, select Relative, type Target X/Y into Offset in the Global Mark Detection sub-tab, press LR Save, select back to Absolute.

3.5.2.4 If new MCORRPRM file: set parameters and perform AGC

  1. Go to the Global Mark Detection sub-tab

  2. Check only Global Mark Detection.

  3. Set Global Mark Parameters: Material Type/Size/Window; Check Height Measurement; Enter P/Q/R/S design positions; Semiauto; 1 degree; press LR Save.

  4. Setup for AGC: Check AGC, uncheck Q, R, S.

  5. Set P Rough RG Detect Conditions: Scan Position X/Y = Scan Width X/Y = 3 * Wg, rest from 4.7 Example RG Detect Condition. Applies to another subprogram..., Mark Type All select, Subprogram that can be set, close, OK. Execute.

  6. Once AGC completes: All select, OK.

  7. Set P Fine RG Detect Conditions: Scan Position X/Y = 50% Lg, Scan Width X/Y = 3 * Wg, Applies to another subprogram..., Mark Type All select, deselect P rough, deselect Q rough, Subprogram that can be set, close, OK.

  8. Set Q Rough RG Detect Conditions: Scan Position X/Y = 3 * Wg, Scan Width X/Y = 25 * Wg, OK.

  9. Setup to run Global Mark Detection: Uncheck AGC, recheck Q, R, S. Press LR Save, Save MCORRPRM.

3.5.2.5 Perform Global Mark Detection

  1. Go to the Global Mark subtab, ensure only the the Global Mark Detection check box is checked.

  2. Click the Execute button.

  3. If a mark isn't found: Continue, use SEM and move stage to unfound mark centers, OK.

  4. If necessary, adjust scan position/scan widths to find all marks automatically. When successful, press LR Save, Save MCORRPRM.

3.5.2.6 Perform Chip Mark Detection (if using real chip marks)

If using a new MCORRPRM, first set parameters:

  1. AGC unchecked, 4, Check Height Detection, Set design M1/M2/M3/M4 position, enter a design chip center X/Y.

  2. RG Detect Conditions: Scan Tab: Scan Position X/Y = 40%*Lc, Scan Width X/Y = 3*Wc. Scan Type tab: Mark Width = Wc, Mark Length = Lc. Retry tab: 10, 0.5µm, 0.5µm. OK.

  3. Execute. Adjust scan position/width if failing. When successful, Press LR Save, Save MCORRPRM.

3.5.2.7 Save the Beam Drift parameters

Update Beam Drift RG Detection Conditions

  1. If using Global Marks but virtual chip marks. Global Mark sub-tab, P Fine RG Detect Condition, Applies to another subprogram..., select Drift (fine), Subprogram that can be set, close, OK.
    OR

  2. If using Global Marks AND physical Chip Marks. Chip Mark sub-tab, RG Detect Condition, Applies to another subprogram..., select Drift (fine), Subprogram that can be set, close, OK.

3.6 Run DAILYCAL

  1. 15 to 40 minutes after changing currents, go to Batch tab.

  2. Ensure DAILYCAL is loaded, with list on right of: Beam Current Measurement, AE Mark Detection, AE Mark Detection, Static Focus Correction, BE Mark Detection, BE Mark Detection, Main DEF Correction, Sub DEF Correction, Distor Correction, Save.

  3. Execute DAILYCAL batch calibration file.

3.7 VisualJob (Beamer) and Magazine File

  1. If not done before, while JOBCAL runs (or whenever), on Beamer PC, launch Beamer and run visual-Job as described in Data Prep - 5: Beamer- VisualJob above.

  2. Use USB stick to transfer all relevant JDF, SDF, and V30 files from Beamer PC F:/alias/thisexposure folder to Linux PC within job/user/alias/thisexposure.

  3. Within job/user/alias/thisexposure, open (display) SDF text file, update Offset to Global Mark Detection Offset. or measured chip center in alignment microscope, Save, close text editor.

  4. Launch SCHD GUI (SCHD Purple Square), drag SDF, compile job, ensure no errors, close.

3.8 Expose

  1. In jbxwriter Exposure page, remove any magazine files in Queue, open your MGN(s), Start Exposure.

  2. Watch to ensure exposure completes DIRE20 and mark detection (if doing an aligned write), and exposure of pattern begins.

3.9 Unload Cassette from Machine

  1. Ensure cassette is at origin (Stage Coordinate System ~100/100). Cassette should move here automatically after a successful exposure.

  2. Open Exchange Chamber Access Door. At LL, ensure LOAD/UNLOAD button is green and all 3 side LEDs are lit, hold LOAD/UNLOAD to unload cassette to LL and automatically vent LL.

  3. Open LL, remove cassette from pouch, insert pouch into LL, hit the EVAC/VENT button. Close door.

3.10 Finishing

  1. Load current for next user, if they have indicated a current in iLab.

  2. Dismount your sample(s) from cassette, place cassette back in plastic box.

  3. Ensure the height rings are properly arranged.

  4. Close Beamer, log out of Beamer PC.

  5. Disable 8100 in iLab Kiosk

4 Supplements

4.1 Cassette Window Identifiers

Program

jbxwriter

jbxwriter

visualJob

jobmaker

 

Program

jbxwriter

jbxwriter

visualJob

jobmaker

 

Cassette Identifier

Cassette Type

Type / Size / Window

Type / Window

Cassette Name

Location

“Cassette Type” Button

Material Coor. Window

Substrate

Job Settings Window

Cassette

 

 

 

 

3” Wafer

Multi Wafer 3A

Wafer / 3.0 / 3A

MULTI / 3A/W

3multi A

Piece Holder - 3”

Multi Wafer 3G

Wafer / 3.0 / 3G

MULTI / 3G/W

Piece3

Piece Holder - 2” A

Multi Wafer 2A

Wafer / 2.0 / 2A

MULTI / 2A/W

Piece2 A

Piece Holder - 2” B

Multi Wafer 2B

Wafer / 2.0 / 2B

MULTI / 2B/W

Piece2 B

4” Wafer

Wafer 4.0

Wafer / 4.0 / None

WAFER / 4

100mm Wafer

6” Wafer

Wafer 6.0

Wafer / 6.0 / None

WAFER / 6

150mm Wafer

4.2 Example SEM Values

Current (nA)

Brightness

Contrast

Contrast Multiplier

Current (nA)

Brightness

Contrast

Contrast Multiplier

2

1225

1635

x56

10

1975

3590

x1

30

1865

2785

x1

100

1332

1805

x1

4.3 Example Mark Location

Mark Type

Substrate Type

Mark

X

Y

 

Mark Type

Substrate Type

Mark

X

Y

 

Global Marks

Wafer

P

-

0

Q

+

0

R

0

+

S

0

-

Piece

P

-

+

Q

+

-

R

+

+

S

-

-

Chip Marks

Either

M1

-

+

M2

+

+

M3

+

-

M4

-

-

4.4 Example Mark Composition

Mark Tone

Safe Parameters for Silicon Substrates

General Rules

Mark Tone

Safe Parameters for Silicon Substrates

General Rules

Liftoff

  • For samples that will never be placed in an ICP RIE chamber

    • 50 nm Au (gold) on 5 nm Ti/Cr (for adhesion)

  • If etching in ICP RIE systems, do not use gold. Instead of Au (gold), use either:

    • 200 nm Ni

    • 80 nm Pd

    • use etched marks.

For non-silicon substrates or other mark materials, follow Rooks' Rule:
Tmin (nm) = 2600 / (Zmark - Zsub)

where:

  • Tmin (nm): the minimum mark thickness for easy to detect marks

  • Zmark: Atomic number of mark material

  • Zmark: Atomic number of substrate material

Etched

1 μm deep (can go thinner, you'll need to experiment with how thin if this matters).

Width must be < 5 μm. Depths can be between 200 - 1000 nm and work, but you may need to employ more advanced mark detection methods.

4.5 Example Mark Dimension

Mark Type

Mark Width, X/Y

Mark Length, X/Y

Mark Type

Mark Width, X/Y

Mark Length, X/Y

Global Marks (P, Q, R, S)

Wg = 5 µm

Lg = 250 µm

Chip Marks (M1, M2, M3, M4)

Wc = 2 µm

Lc = 150 µm

Wg = Global Mark Width. Lg = Global Mark Length. Wc = Chip Mark Width. Lc = Chip Mark Length.

4.6 Example Mark Scan Parameters

Mark

Scan Position, X/Y

Scan Width, X/Y

P Rough

3 * Wg

3 * Wg

P Fine (& all else)

50% * Lg

3 * Wg

Q Rough

3 * Wg

25 * Wg

Chip marks

40% * Lc

3 * Wc

4.7 Example RG Detect Condition

Tab

Suggested Basic Values (Note: Italicized text is a variable/placeholder)

Tab

Suggested Basic Values (Note: Italicized text is a variable/placeholder)

Scan

PDEF, X→ Y, 50%*ThisMarkLength (For X & Y), 3*ThisMarkWidth (For X & Y), 1, 3, 19000

Offsets

All 0

Scan Type

Fine, Box, Cross, ThisMarkWidth, ThisMarkLength

Gain

Don't check available, Add signal (first derivative), SEM MultiplierSEM Contrast, SEM Brightness

Correlate

Check Available, 100, 100, 100, End of Data Addition, 0, 50

Allowance

Check Available, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 50, 50, 50, 50

Raster

0.000, 1

Retry

Global Marks: 1, 0.5, 0.5
Chip Marks: 10, 0.5, 0.5

Return to 3.5.2.4

5 Frequently Asked Questions

5.1 What if jbxwriter software is not up when I come to the machine?

5.2 How can I check if the beam is on?

5.3 How can I execute a Height Map?

5.4 What do I do if I see a Load Error (ebloaderd)? How can I avoid it?

5.5 What do I do if AE or BE Mark detection fails?

5.6 What do I do if Beamer has an "all licenses are in use error"?

5.7 Why am I getting a CHIPAL error?

5.8 Why is the beam drift correction not executing properly?