Patent ID: 8091048
Filing Date: 2012-01-03
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
1. A method of predicting a shape of a resist pattern formed by an exposure process of projecting light from a reticle pattern onto a resist via a projection optical system to expose the resist, and a development process of developing the resist, the method comprising: computing, by a computer, a first contour shape of an aerial image formed on the resist by projecting light from a test pattern serving as the reticle pattern onto the resist via the projection optical system, when the test pattern is arranged on an object plane of the projection optical system, to produce the first contour shape; measuring, by a measurement apparatus, a shape of a resist pattern formed by the exposure process using the test pattern and the development process; creating, by the computer, a correction model including a function indicating a relationship between at least one of amounts of geometric characteristic of the first contour shape and an amount of correction determined in accordance with a difference between the first contour shape and the measured shape of the resist pattern; computing, by the computer, a second contour shape of an aerial image formed on the resist by projecting light from an arbitrary pattern onto the resist via the projection optical system, when the arbitrary pattern is arranged on the object plane, to produce the second contour shape; and predicting, by the computer, the shape of the resist pattern corresponding to the arbitrary pattern by correcting the second contour shape, using an amount of correction given by the correction model in correspondence with at least one of amounts of geometric characteristic of the second contour shape.