Patent ID: 8863043
Filing Date: 2014-10-14
Classification: G03F,G06F

Abstract:
1. A pattern inspecting method for inspecting a pattern transferred onto a same material layer using a plurality of exposure processes, the pattern inspecting method comprising: generating first layout data for a first mask used in a first exposure process among the plurality of exposure processes, and generating second layout data for a second mask used in a second exposure process among the plurality of exposure processes; creating the first mask according to the first layout data, and creating the second mask according to the second layout data; transferring a first transfer pattern onto the material layer using the first exposure process; measuring a misalignment between the first transfer pattern and a second transfer pattern when transferring the second transfer pattern onto the material layer using the second exposure process; generating inspection data by shifting the first layout data and the second layout data from each other by an amount corresponding to the measured value of the misalignment and then combining the first layout data with the second layout data; and inspecting the pattern transferred onto the material layer by comparing the pattern transferred onto the material layer with the inspection data, after transferring the second transfer pattern onto the material layer.