Patent ID: 6353922
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A method for compacting the amount of memory required to store a two dimensional array of exposure spot shapes arrayed in at least two lines in a first direction and in at least two lines in a second direction at right angles to said first direction in a numerically controlled (NC) electron beam lithography tool, comprising the steps of:For each of said at least two lines in said first direction; (a) sorting the shapes in a selected line in said first direction based on the widths and heights of the shapes; (b) identifying and removing from contention at least one group of shapes in said selected line having common widths and heights; (c) determining a doseage requirement for said shapes in said group; (d) applying one or more commands based on said group and said determined doseage requirement to enable the NC electron beam lithography tool to draw said two dimensional array of exposure spot shapes; and For each of said at least two lines in said second direction; repeating steps (a) through (d) in a second direction for shapes that have not been removed from contention in a first execution of steps (a) through (d) in said first direction, whereby shapes in said first and second directions are compacted and each shape is removed from contention after being identified in one group.