Patent ID: 8958059
Filing Date: 2015-02-17
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. A determining method for determining by use of a computer an effective light source distribution formed by an illumination optical system and a pattern of a mask used in an exposure apparatus including the illumination optical system configured to illuminate the mask using light from a light source and a projection optical system configured to project an image of a plurality of pattern elements of the mask onto a substrate, the method including the steps of: setting an evaluation position for evaluating an image of the plurality of pattern elements of the mask on an image plane of the projection optical system, and an evaluation item for evaluation at the evaluation position; setting a first parameter to define the shape of the plurality of pattern elements of the mask; setting a second parameter to define the effective light source distribution; and repeating a process of calculation of the image of the plurality of pattern elements of the mask and calculation of the value of the evaluation item while varying the value of the first parameter and the second parameter to thereby determine the effective light source distribution and the pattern of the mask, wherein the step of setting the first parameter comprises, calculating a value of an index representing a proximity effect for each of the plurality of pattern elements and setting the parameters of pattern elements in the plurality of pattern elements as one parameter based on the calculated value of the index for the each of the plurality of pattern elements, the value of the index representing the proximity effect that an adjacent pattern element adjacent to an evaluation pattern element in the plurality of pattern elements of the mask have on the image of the evaluation pattern element at the evaluation position of the evaluation pattern element.