Patent ID: 7784018
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: G03F,G06F,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for identifying a manufacturing problem area in an uncorrected, partially corrected, or completely corrected mask layout using a gradient-magnitude of a process-sensitivity model, the method comprising: computing, by using a computer, a problem-indicator by convolving a first multidimensional function that represents the gradient-magnitude of the process-sensitivity model with a second multidimensional function that represents the mask layout, wherein the process-sensitivity model is determined using an on-target process model and one or more off-target process models, wherein the on-target process model models a semiconductor manufacturing process under nominal process condition, wherein the one or more off-target process models model the semiconductor manufacturing process under non-nominal process conditions; and identifying the manufacturing problem area in the mask layout by comparing the problem-indicator with one or more problem-thresholds, wherein identifying the manufacturing problem area enables the manufacturing problem area to be corrected, thereby improving the manufacturability of the mask layout.