Patent ID: 7619730
Filing Date: 2009-11-17
Classification: G01N,G03F

Abstract:
1. A system for mask inspection comprising: a mask containing intentionally induced defects; write data including identifications of first locations for said intentionally induced defects and second locations for predefined do not inspect regions on said mask; an analysis component; a software component running on said analysis component that translates said first locations into a first set of logic for finite shapes representing do not inspect regions for said intentionally induced defects, translates said second locations into a second set of logic for finite shapes representing predefined do not inspect regions, determines if said first and second sets of logic violate a processing rule of said inspection tool prior to the actual inspection of the mask for any defects, and if said processing rule is violated, generates a single contiguous do not inspect region by overlapping selected logic from said first and second sets of logic prior to said actual inspection; and an inspection tool that uses said first and second sets of logic, along with any single contiguous do not inspect regions, to inspect said mask for unintentional defects while avoiding said intentionally induced defects and said predefined do not inspect regions.