Patent ID: 11886124
Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
Field: Optics (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 10:
11. A method to improve a lithographic process for imaging a portion of a patterning device pattern onto a substrate using a lithographic apparatus comprising an illumination system and projection optics, the method comprising:
obtaining a simulation model that models projection of radiation by the projection optics toward the substrate, wherein the simulation model models an effect of an obscuration in the projection optics and/or models anamorphic demagnification imparted to radiation by the projection optics;
performing, based on the model and by a hardware computer, an illumination and patterning device pattern co-optimization;
performing, based on results of the illumination and patterning device co-optimization, a patterning device pattern only optimization to configure the portion of the patterning device pattern.