Printer Friendly >>

Tachyon™ OPC+

Robust process-window OPC without compromises

Built on the ultrafast and scalable Tachyon platform and enabled by Tachyon's highly accurate, production-proven focus-exposure modeling (FEM) model, Tachyon OPC+ delivers accurate and efficient process-window optical proximity correction (OPC), while meeting throughput and cost of ownership requirements for volume production at the 45nm technology node and below.

Accuracy without Compromise

Tachyon OPC+ is the first OPC tool in the industry based on a hybrid image- and geometry-based dual-engine architecture. This design allows highly efficient image-based simulation and algorithms to coexist with familiar geometry-based interfaces and polygon-based operations. Tachyon OPC+ enables multiple evaluation points and optimal dissection, eliminating variations in edge control, without compromising cycle time. As a result, high-quality OPC output based on accurate process window simulations can be obtained without approximations and compromises.




Flexibility without Sacrificing Usability

Tachyon OPC+ software structure provides the user tiered levels of access to the Tachyon OPC+ engine. Different levels of programmability enable users to freely customize a solution in the most efficient manner. C-API allows the user to compile their recipes into binaries for IP protection, while high-level scripting language enables quick prototyping and flow assembly. Fully parameterized built-in recipes offer the users fully tested, and production-qualified OPC solutions. Innovative OPC algorithms and high-quality implementations are built into the Tachyon OPC+ engine, and are easily accessible through C-API functions, scripting commands, and recipe parameters.


Model-based Subresolution Assist Feature (SRAF) Treatment

Tachyon OPC+ supports model-based SRAF treatment. The optimal locations and sizes of SRAFs are systematically determined via model simulation without requiring iterative trials and errors. The optimal SRAF sizes and locations are captured via rules which can be used for different designs. SRAF placements are automatically prioritized based on process window metrics, and conflicts are resolved during placement. Tachyon OPC+ also applies adjustments to the sizes and locations of existing SRAF placements to ensure best process window and non-printability, while maintaining Mask Rule Check (MRC) compliance.



Process-Window Aware Correction

Tachyon OPC+ corrects simultaneously for critical low k1 lithography yield parameters such as necking, bridging and contact coverage at all process-window conditions. These process yield parameters are embedded in Tachyon OPC+ to ensure optimal convergence, while also adhering to MRC. The resulting OPC output is a production-worthy process-window aware solution that avoids catastrophic defects due to process variation. Tachyon's industry leading hardware-accelerated platform delivers full OPC at each condition, without using approximation, while introducing negligible throughput impact with cumulative focus and exposure-window conditions additions.


Quality and Productivity

As technologies shrink and advanced RETs move into production, it is necessary to monitor critical yield parameters through the entire process window. With Tachyon OPC+, the users can control critical yield parameters such as gate CD uniformity, necking, bridging and contact coverage, across the entire process window, while maintaining MRC compliance. Furthermore, with increasing design complexity and the need for short cycle time in mask manufacturing, an intelligent and comprehensive constraint handling technique is required during OPC. Tachyon OPC+ integrates advanced model-aware MRC techniques into the correction flow, resulting in efficient and accurate assurance of manufacturability during the design phase.

Tachyon OPC+ delivers all of these benefits while reducing the total turnaround time to hours, instead of days, without any accuracy and productivity trade-off.



More OPC+ Information:

Data Sheet (.pdf)
Press Release