Patent ID: 6400838
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
Pattern inspection equipment comprising:a measured data generation unit configured to generate measured data from patterns that have been delineated on a sample according to design data; and a reference data generation unit configured to generate reference data being used to inspect the patterns on the sample, the reference data generation unit having: a multi-valued pattern development circuit configured to develop the design data of the pattern into gradational data expressed in multiple gradation levels; and a size modification circuit configured to finely adjust pattern edges in the multi-level gradational data by shifting the side of patterns constructed with the gradational data according to a maximum value detected in a specified area in the gradational data, the size modification circuit comprising: a first pattern data reversing circuit connected to an input end of the size modification circuit, configured to reverse the gradational data; a maximum detector connected to the first pattern data reversing circuit, configured to detect a maximum value in a specified area; a pattern enlarger connected to the first pattern data reversing circuit and maximum detector; and a second pattern data reversing circuit connected to the pattern enlarger, configured to reverse the output of the pattern enlarger; and a fault decision circuit configured to compare the measured data with the reference data.