Patent ID: 7120895
Filing Date: 2006-10-10
Classification: G03F,G06F,G06T,G16Z,G21K

Abstract:
1. A method to evaluate a design pattern on a photolithographic mask to a change in at least one process parameter of a photolithographic process, wherein the photolithographic process uses photolithographic equipment, the method comprising: generating a first simulated image of a lithographic design on a wafer using (1) a pixel-based bitmap of the design pattern on the photolithographic mask and (2) a first relationship representing an imaging path of the projection and illumination optics of the photolithographic process, wherein the pixel-based bitmap of the design pattern on the photolithographic mask is generated using an image of the photolithographic mask; and generating a second simulated image of the lithographic design on a wafer using (1) the pixel-based bitmap of the design pattern on the photolithographic mask and (2) a second relationship representing the imaging path of the projection and illumination optics of the photolithographic process, wherein a difference between (i) the first relationship representing the imaging path of the projection and illumination optics of the photolithographic process and (ii) the second relationship representing the imaging path of the projection and illumination optics of the photolithographic process includes the change in the at least one process parameter of the photolithographic process; and evaluating the design pattern on a photolithographic mask to the change in at least one process parameter of a photolithographic process by: