Patent Publication Number: US-7218985-B2

Title: Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/186,455 filed Jul. 21, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,027,888 which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/625,887 filed Jul. 23, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,941,186, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-241294 filed Aug. 22, 2002, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a processing apparatus having a network to be interconnected with a storage device, and particularly relates to an inspection apparatus and a manufacturing apparatus for semiconductors or semiconductor masks in relation to manufacture of semiconductors, and a system utilizing these inspection apparatus and the manufacturing apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to interconnect interior devices of an apparatus or to interconnect different apparatus, as a conventional construction, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Nos. 2000-164667 and 2000-164666 disclose to interconnect them through a standard LAN (local area network), such as Ethernet (registered trademark). 
     As another known example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 9-153441 divides a LAN into a plurality of segments and installs a processing station between the divided segments to copy data. 
     Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 11-85326 discloses a system having a plurality of computers interconnected through a network, and all the design information is previously transferred from the client to a plurality of servers. 
     Further, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2002-132986 discloses a system which interconnects clients and a manufacturing apparatus using the Internet. 
     An electron beam lithography apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 63-208215, wherein a plurality of electron beam lithography systems are respectively connected with a buffer memory for storing writing data, and a control computer controls these plurality of buffer memories such that desired image data is stored in each buffer memory from the writing data storing unit, thereby continuously writing different patterns within a writing area of each electron beam lithography system. Japanese laid-open Patent Application No. 7-307262 discloses an electron beam lithography apparatus which draws desired patterns by a charged electron beam with the aid of apertures and the like based on CAD data as semiconductor design information. 
     As to conventional storage area networks, WO00/18049 and WO00/17769 disclose a link through a fiber channel. WO00/29954 discloses a network through an optical fiber. Also, a link through Ethernet (registered trademark), such as iSCSI, iFCP, and FCIP, and a link through a switched bus or a shared bus are known. The storage area network is a general term of the network for linking storage devices without consideration of a kind of communication device. The link of storage devices through a serial bus as defined in IEEE1394 and the link of storage devices through a switched bus as defined by InfiniBand (registered trademark) are also included in the storage area network. 
     Mask layout data as a kind of semiconductor design information is prepared by a logic design maker. The mask layout data is then processed by the semiconductor design apparatus to provide a mask (reticle). The mask layout data is stored in a local storage device of the logic design maker. If the logic design maker has to supply the mask layout data, for example, to a mask shop which possesses a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, the mask layout data should be copied in a storage medium such as a magnetic tape. The mask shop then receives the storage medium and copies the contents of the storage medium into a local storage device of the mask shop. 
     However, the aforementioned conventional technologies do not consider the kind of data flowing through the network. Because two kinds of data, i.e. a large volume of CAD data representing design information of semiconductors and message data representing control commands for controlling and linking a variety of devices, are transferred through the same network, the traffic inevitably increases, degrading the performance of the network, which in turn adversely affects the overall performance of the system. In other words, the conventional networks have a drawback in that the throughput of the network changes according to the frequency of issuing the control command, the frequency of generating a response to the command, and the transmission/reception of a large volume of data, thereby degrading the overall performance of the apparatus. As the advance of the micro-fabrication technology in particular, the volume of the design data of semiconductors and masks and the volume of the image data as the inspection result drastically increase. As a result, the band of the network is occupied by simply communicating these data. This adversely affects the transmission and reception of the message data. 
     As a prior art technology to solve this problem, all the design information is previously transferred to a plurality of computers for processing. However, because the volume of data transfer increases as the number of computers linked, extreme amount of traffic occurs at time of the data transfer. Further, each of the plurality of computers for receiving the design information must provide a storage device for storing a large volume of design information. 
     In this prior art technology, CAD data that is the basis of the design information of semiconductors is converted into a writing data format originated from the electron beam lithography apparatus, and the pattern data indicated by this writing data format is further processed such as by conversion and correction in real time operation, thereby radiating an electron beam. These processes are sequentially and continuously executed. Therefore, the conversion process and the correction process are carried out independently before executing the writing, and it is impossible to temporarily store the processing results. As a result, it is very difficult to predict the time required for electron beam radiation and the accuracy of writing. Because processing results cannot be stored in mid-course of the operation, it is very difficult to suspend and restart the process. Even in the case of processing the same design data, the conversion process and the correction process must be repeated from the beginning. 
     In these prior art technologies, data is mostly stored in a file system which realizes data having arbitrary length as assemblies of a plurality of blocks having fixed length. This file system has a control list indicating the relation of a plurality of fixed length blocks associated with the arbitrary data. However, a large volume of fixed length blocks are required against such a large volume of data, which leads to a large volume of the control list. This decreases an area in which the storage device actually stores data, and also adversely deteriorates the throughput because of the retrieval process of the control list for accessing the data. The fixed length blocks are ineffectively arranged in the storage device as the result of preparation, deletion or transfer of the data, which also deteriorates the throughput. 
     Of the above prior art technologies, a technique is suggested wherein a LAN is divided into a plurality of segments and processing stations are installed between the segments to perform copying of the data for the purpose of alleviating the traffic. However, because the processing stations copy data between the segments, the processing stations per se become a bottleneck of the overall performance of the system. Further, because each of the storage devices interconnected to individual segments copies the same data, the consistency management of the copied data becomes complicated, which results in difficulty in system operation. For example, even if the semiconductor inspection apparatus and the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus are interconnected through the network, data must be copied through the network in order to transfer the data between these apparatus. This results in a crowd of the network and deteriorated throughput. Even in the case where a plurality of semiconductor inspection apparatus and a plurality of semiconductor manufacturing apparatus are interconnected through the network and processing is carried out in a parallel manner, data must be copied through the network. This also results in a crowd of the network and difficulty in the system organization due to management of data exchange. Further, in most cases, it is impossible to interconnect a new storage device through the network without stopping the operation of the system. In other words, when the storage device is filled up, it is very difficult to extend the storage capacity. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above, the purpose of the present invention is to improve the throughput of the entire apparatus and to unify the management of various data. 
     According to the present invention, communication of control commands and the like can be separated from a network, through which a large volume of information such as semiconductor production information is communicated or through which a storage device is interconnected. In other words, there is provided a network for communicating a large volume of information and for interconnecting a storage device for storing data. 
     Further, necessary processing results of at least one of a calculation unit, a control unit, and a writing unit are stored and referred to. In other words, there is provided an interface to a network through which the storage device is interconnected at least with the calculation unit, the control unit, and the writing unit. 
     Further, a reference sequence to processing results that are stored in the storage device corresponds to movement of the stage and a locus of electron beam radiation. In other words, writing area information and pattern information presented in the writing area information are provided, and they are stored in a storage device in a manner conforming to the movement of the stage and the locus of the electron beam lithography. 
     Further, a storage device is not interconnected directly with a particular computer. In other words, with the provision of a network for arbitrary interconnecting a computer and a storage device, a plurality of computers share the storage device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating one example employing a plurality of computers according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a parallel processing configuration of a calculation unit according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart by which areas shown in  FIG. 3  are defined and processed; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration by which area information is divided and stored; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart by which the area information shown in  FIG. 5  is divided and processed; 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration by which area information is divided and stored in another storage device; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart by which the area information shown in  FIG. 7  is divided and processed; 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration by which area information is divided and stored in different storage devices; 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart by which the area information shown in  FIG. 9  is divided and processed; 
         FIG. 11  shows an example in which design information is divided into strip-shaped pieces; 
         FIG. 12  shows an example in which design information is divided into mesh-shaped pieces; 
         FIG. 13  shows an example in which a stripe writing information is stored as a pair of area information and pattern information included in the area; 
         FIG. 14  shows an example in which stripe writing information is stored as a group of area information and a group of pattern information; 
         FIG. 15  shows an example in which a storage area network according to the present invention is configured by a fabric; 
         FIG. 16  shows an example in which communication paths and communication equipment are duplicated; 
         FIG. 17  shows an example in which the control unit is duplicated; 
         FIG. 18  shows an example in which communication paths, communication equipment, and the control unit are duplicated; 
         FIG. 19  is a block diagram illustrating one example of a cluster configuration of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a block diagram illustrating one example of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus interconnected with a service provider and a storage provider; and 
         FIG. 21  is a block diagram illustrating one example of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus which can store in-process results. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     One preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     A calculation unit  10  includes at least one computer which processes semiconductor design information (semiconductor production information) In general, the semiconductor design information is CAD data such as GDSII to be described as pattern information. The semiconductor design information also includes cell library information, logic design information, and circuit information that are depending upon the semiconductor process. The calculation unit  10  executes a pattern calculation process and a correction process as well as executes a conversion into a data format that is originated from an electron beam lithography apparatus and that can be inputted by the control unit  20 . The control unit  20  inputs the own data format and executes a conversion into a data that can be inputted by the writing unit  30 . The control unit  20  also executes a correction process against the proximity effect of electron beam radiation, a follow-up control to follow the position of the stage by which a wafer is moved, and a calibration control for electron beam radiation. The writing unit  30  inputs data that is outputted from the control unit  20 , and radiates an electron beam (single-beam or multi-beam) based on this data. The storage device  40  is interconnected with the calculation unit  10 , the control unit  20 , and the writing unit  30  through a storage area network  50 . The storage device  40  stores semiconductor design information and information produced by the calculation unit  10 , the control unit  20 , and the writing unit  30 . A local area network  60  interconnects the calculation unit  10 , the control unit  20 , and the writing unit  30 . A writing data communication path  70  is a communication path interconnecting the control unit  20  and the writing unit  30 . With such an interconnection through the storage area network  50 , it is possible to store information that is conventionally disposed at the calculation unit  10 , the control unit  20 , and the writing unit  30 , and unlike the conventional system, it is not necessary to refer to the storage device  40  via a specific computer and the local area network  60 . This can alleviate the traffic of the local area network  60 . Further, in the conventional system, because the storage device  40  is directly interconnected with a specific computer, and in the case of SCSI parallel interface, it is necessary to add the storage device  40  after the computer is stopped. However, according to the configuration of the present invention, because the storage device  40  is not directly interconnected to a specific computer, a storage device  40  can be added to the storage area network  50  when necessary. The storage device  40  indicates a physical storage device, or a virtual storage device or a storage area provided by the physical storage device. 
       FIG. 2  shows a configuration of the present invention in which each of the calculation unit  10  and the control unit  20  has at least one computer. The calculation unit  10  includes at least one division computer  100  which executes a process for dividing semiconductor production information into arbitrary areas, and at least one conversion computer  110  which processes the semiconductor production information that is divided into arbitrary areas. The control unit  20  includes at least one control computer  120 . The division computer  100 , the conversion computer  110 , and the control computer  120  can access the storage device  40  through the storage area network  50 . 
       FIG. 3  shows an embodiment partly illustrating the calculation unit  10  including the division computer  100  and a plurality of conversion computers  110 , the storage device  40 , the storage area network  50 , and the semiconductor production information  200 . In this embodiment, the division computer  100  and the plurality of conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  can share the semiconductor production information stored in the storage device  40  through the storage area network  50 . In this preferred embodiment, the conversion computer  110  consists of four conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 , however, the number of conversion computers is not limited to four computers. Because the storage device  40  is not directly interconnected with the aforementioned computers, even if arbitrary numbers of conversion computers are added, they can refer to the storage device  40 . This can improve the throughput of the entire apparatus. Further, even if some of the computers cause failure, the other computers can continuously access the storage device  40  because the storage device  40  is not directly interconnected with the faulty computers. Also, it is possible to separate the faulty computers from the storage area network  50  without affecting the other computers. 
       FIG. 4  shows a process flow concerning the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . The division computer  100  refers to the semiconductor production information  200  stored in the storage device  40  and divides it into arbitrary areas (S 10 ). The division computer  100  selects one of the conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  on condition that it can execute the process (S 20 ). The division computer  100  communicates with the selected conversion computer  110  to assign an arbitrary area (S 30 ). After a confirmation whether or not an unprocessed divided area remains (S 50 ) operation is completed if all the areas are processed. If an unprocessed area remains, then operation returns to S 20 . If there is no conversion computer left which can execute the process, then operation is suspended to stand by for the arrival of an end message from the conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  (S 40 ). Meanwhile, the conversion computer  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  receives a command for assigning an arbitrary area (S 60 ). Based on the assignment of the area, the conversion computer  110  refers to the semiconductor production information  200  stored in the storage device  40  (S 70 ) Information referred to is then converted (S 80 ). When the process is completed, the conversion computer  110  transmits the message indicating the end of process to the division computer  100  (S 90 ). 
       FIG. 5  shows one example in which the division computer  100  divides the semiconductor production information  200  into a plurality of areas  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 , and stores them in the storage device  40  together with the semiconductor production information  200 . In this preferred embodiment, the conversion computer  110  consists of four conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 , however the number of the conversion computers is not limited to four computers. In this embodiment, the division computer  100  and the plurality of conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  can share the semiconductor production information  200  stored in the storage device  40  through the storage area network  50 . With this configuration, the amount of information stored in the storage device  40  increases, however, it is possible to avoid contention of access to the semiconductor production information  200 . This can improve the performance of the entire apparatus. 
       FIG. 6  shows a process flow concerning the embodiment of  FIG. 5 . 
     The division computer  100  refers to the semiconductor production information  200  stored in the storage device  40  and divides it into arbitrary areas (S 110 ). According to the arbitrary areas, the division computer  100  divides the semiconductor production information  200  into plurality pieces of area information  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 , and stores them in the storage device  40  (S 115 ). In this preferred embodiment, the semiconductor production information  200  is divided into four pieces, however, the number of information pieces is not limited. The division computer  100  selects one of the conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  on condition that it can execute the process (S 120 ). The division computer  100  communicates with the selected conversion computer  110  to assign any of the area information  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  (S 130 ). After a confirmation whether or not an unprocessed divided area remains (S 150 ), operation is completed if all the areas are processed. If an unprocessed area remains, then operation returns to S 120 . If there is no conversion computer left which can execute the process, then operation is suspended to stand by for the arrival of an end message from the conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  (S 140 ). Meanwhile, the conversion computer  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  receives a command for assigning arbitrary area information (S 160 ). Based on the area information, the conversion computer  110  refers to at least one piece of design information  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  divided and stored in the storage device  40  (S 170 ). Information referred to is then converted (S 180 ) When the process is completed, the conversion computer  110  transmits the message indicating the end of process to the division computer  100  (S 190 ). 
       FIG. 7  shows one example in which the division computer  100  divides the semiconductor production information  200  into a plurality of areas, and stores them in a storage device  41  that is different from the storage device  40  for storing the semiconductor production information  200 . In this preferred embodiment, the conversion computer  110  consists of four conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 , however, the number of the conversion computers is not limited to four computers. In this embodiment, because the division computer  100  and the plurality of conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  can share the semiconductor production information  200  stored in the storage device  40  through the storage area network  50  and the storage device  41  is further provided, without affecting the process of the conversion computer  110  it is possible to manipulate the semiconductor production information  200  after completing the process of the division computer  100 . Such a configuration can alleviate a load of the storage device  40  and avoid contention of access at the storage device  41 , which improves the parallel processing performance of the division computer  100  and the conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 . Further, when the process of the division computer  100  is completed, the semiconductor production information  200  is unnecessary and can be deleted. Therefore, it is possible to store new semiconductor production information  200  in the storage device  40 . Accordingly, the storage device  40  is utilized effectively because the semiconductor production information can be deleted at the time of completing the process of the division computer  100  and design information for the next process can be stored in the storage device  40 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a process flow concerning the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
     The division computer  100  refers to the semiconductor production information  200  stored in the storage device  40  and divides it into arbitrary areas (S 210 ). According to the arbitrary areas, the division computer  100  divides the semiconductor production information  200  into plurality pieces of area information  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 , and stores them in the storage device  40  (S 215 ). In this preferred embodiment, the semiconductor production information  200  is divided into four pieces, however, the number of information pieces is not limited. The division computer  100  selects one of the conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  on condition that it can execute the process (S 220 ). The division computer  100  communicates with the selected conversion computer  110  to assign any of the area information  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  as well as to assign the storage device  41  (S 230 ). After a confirmation whether or not an unprocessed divided area remains (S 250 ), operation is completed if all the areas are processed. If an unprocessed area remains, then operation returns to S 220 . If there is no conversion computers left which can execute the process, then operation is suspended to stand by for the arrival of an end message from the conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  (S 240 ). Meanwhile, the conversion computer  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  receives a command for assigning arbitrary area information (S 260 ). Based on the area information, the conversion computer  110  refers to at least one piece of design information  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  divided and stored in the storage device  41  (S 270 ). Information referred to is then converted (S 280 ). When the process is completed, the conversion computer  110  transmits the message indicating the end of process to the division computer  100  (S 290 ) 
       FIG. 9  shows one example in which the division computer  100  divides the semiconductor production information  200  into a plurality of areas  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  and stores them in storage devices  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  respectively corresponding to the conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 . In this preferred embodiment, the conversion computer  110  consists of four conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 , however, the number of the conversion computers is not limited to four computers. In this embodiment, because the division computer  100  and the plurality of conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  can share the semiconductor production information  200  stored in the storage device  40  through the storage area network  50  and the storage devices  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  are further provided, it is possible to manipulate the semiconductor production information  200  after completing the process of the division computer  100  without affecting the process of the conversion computer  110 . Further, because the access of the conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  to the divided pieces of semiconductor design information  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  can be separated, it is possible to improve the access performance of the conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 , which substantially leads to improved conversion process performance. 
       FIG. 10  shows a process flow concerning the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . The division computer  100  refers to the semiconductor production information  200  stored in the storage device  40  and divides it into arbitrary areas (S 310 ). According to the arbitrary areas, the division computer  100  divides the semiconductor production information  200  into plurality pieces of area information  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 , and stores them in the storage devices  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 , respectively (S 315 ). In this preferred embodiment, the semiconductor production information  200  is divided into four pieces, however, the number of information pieces is not limited. The division computer  100  selects one of the conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  on condition that it can execute the process (S 320 ). The division computer  100  communicates with the selected conversion computer  110  to assign any one of the combinations between the area information  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  and the storage device  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  (S 330 ). After a confirmation whether or not an unprocessed divided area remains (S 350 ), operation is completed if all the areas are processed. If an unprocessed area remains, then operation returns to S 320 . If there is no conversion computers left which can execute the process, then operation is suspended to stand by for the arrival of an end message from the conversion computers  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  (S 340 ). Meanwhile, the conversion computer  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  receives a command for assigning arbitrary area information and a command for assigning the storage device (S 360 ). Based on the assignment of the area information and the storage device, the conversion computer  110  refers to at least one piece of design information  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  divided and respectively stored in the storage devices  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  (S 370 ). Information referred to is then converted (S 380 ). When the process is completed, the conversion computer  110  transmits the message indicating the end of the process to the division computer  100  (S 390 ). 
       FIG. 11  shows an example in which the semiconductor production information  200  stored in the storage device  40  is divided into strip-shaped pieces. Strip-shaped stripe information  302  to  350  is determined such that the divided width in X-axis has an area width which allows electron beam radiation, such as of several hundreds micrometers, and the length in Y-axis has a range which allows movement of the stage, such as of several hundreds millimeters. Accordingly, the stripe information becomes appropriate for radiation of an electron beam with the stage continuously moved. This can improve the access efficiency for accessing the stripe information. 
       FIG. 12  shows an example in which the semiconductor production information  200  stored in the storage device  40  is divided into mesh-shaped pieces. Mesh-shaped divided information  402  to  450  has a fixed value of 1 mm for both width and height. Because the size of one divided piece of design information becomes smaller when compared with the strip-shaped piece shown in  FIG. 11 , it is possible to alleviate the process load of the conversion computer  110 . Further, with decreased number of divisions in Y-axis, semiconductor parts stored in the semiconductor production information  200  are less likely to be divided. This can improve the accuracy of the entire electron beam lithography. 
       FIG. 13  shows one example of stripe writing information  520 , wherein the divided semiconductor production information  200  shown in  FIG. 11  or  FIG. 12  is processed by the conversion computer  110  and the results are stored in order of logic address of the storage device  80  as fine writing information  510  which consists of a pair of area information  501  and pattern information  502  presented in the area that is shown by the area information  501 , such that the fine writing information  510  enables electron beam radiation to be effectively executed along its radiation locus. The logic address corresponds, for example, to LBA (Logical Block Address) of SCSI disk drive. The stripe writing information  520  is associated with the respective areas  302  to  350  of  FIG. 11  each divided in strip-shape. Also, the stripe writing information  520  is associated with an arbitrary pair of divided mesh-shaped areas  402  to  450  shown in  FIG. 12 , that is, for example, divided areas  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408 ,  410  combined in the Y-axis direction. 
     As described above, because the area information  501  and the pattern information  502  presented in the area shown by the area information  501  are continuously stored in order of logic address of the storage device  80 , performance of the storage device will be improved due to continuous readout. Further, the writing performance will be improved in terms of step and repeat method such that the stage is moved per fine writing information  510  to execute the writing. 
       FIG. 14  shows one example in which the divided semiconductor production information  200  shown in  FIG. 11  or  FIG. 12  is processed by the conversion computer  110  and the results are stored in order of logic address of the storage device  80  as area group information  530  and a pattern information group  540 . The area group information  530  is arranged in order such that area information  501  enables electron beam radiation to be effectively executed along the radiation locus. The pattern information group  540  is arranged such that the pattern information  502  presented in the area that is shown by the area information  501  is put in order in a manner corresponding to the arrangement of the area group information  530 . The stripe writing information  520  is associated with the respective areas  302  to  350  each divided in strip-shaped. Also, the stripe writing information  520  is associated with an arbitrary pair of divided mesh-shaped areas  402  to  450  shown in  FIG. 12 , that is, for example, divided areas  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408 ,  410  combined in the Y-axis direction. 
     As described above, because the area information  501  and the pattern information  502  presented in the area shown by the area information  501  are continuously stored in order of logic address of the storage device  80 , readout performance of the storage device will be improved due to continuous readout. Further, because the area group information  530  is read out prior to the pattern information group  540 , the traveling speed of the stage can be optimized. Therefore, it is possible to improve the continuous writing performance for continuously moving the stage and continuously deflecting the electron beam lithography. 
       FIG. 15  shows a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus in which the storage area network  50  employs a topology using a switch  51 . The calculation unit  10  includes at lease one division computer  100  which executes a process for dividing the semiconductor production information into arbitrary areas, and at least one conversion computer  110  which processes the semiconductor production information that is divided into arbitrary areas. The control unit  20  includes at least one control computer  120 . 
     The storage device  40  for storing the semiconductor production information  200  is interconnected with a switch  51  through a communication pass  1000 , and the storage device  80  for storing the stripe writing information group  500  is interconnected with the switch  51  through a communication pass  1010 . The division computer  100 , the conversion computer  110 , and the control computer  120  are interconnected with the switch  51 , respectively through a communication pass  1020 , a communication pass  1030 , and a communication pass  1040 . The storage area network  50  is configured accordingly. 
       FIG. 16  shows a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus in which the storage area network  50  employs a topology using switches and communication passes are duplicated for the purposes of expanding the communication band and avoiding failure. The calculation unit  10  includes at least one division computer  100  which executes a process for dividing the semiconductor production information into arbitrary areas, and at least one conversion computer  110  which processes the semiconductor production information that is divided into arbitrary areas. The control unit  20  includes at least one control computer  120 . 
     The storage device  40  for storing the semiconductor production information  200  is interconnected with switches  51 ,  52  through communication passes  1000 ,  1050 , and the storage device  80  for storing the stripe writing information group  500  is interconnected with the switches  51 ,  52  through communication passes  1010 ,  1060 . The division computer  100 , the conversion computer  110 , and the control computer  120  are interconnected with the switches  51 ,  52 , respectively through communication passes  1020 ,  1070 , communication passes  1030 ,  1080 , and communication passes  1040 ,  1090 . The storage area network  50  duplicated and having redundancy is configured accordingly. 
       FIG. 17  shows an example in which the control unit  20  is duplicated at the control computers  120 ,  121  so as to access the aggregate of the stripe writing information of  FIGS. 11 and 12  stored in the storage device  80 . With this configuration, the control unit  20  does not have to wait the processing time of the writing unit  30 . The calculation unit  10  includes at least one division computer  100  which execute a process for dividing the semiconductor production information into arbitrary areas, and at least one conversion computer  110  which processes the semiconductor production information that is divided into arbitrary areas. The control unit  20  includes control computers  120 ,  121 . The storage device  40  for storing the semiconductor production information  200  is interconnected with a switch  51  through a communication pass  1000 , and the storage device  80  for storing the stripe writing information  500  is interconnected with the switch  51  through a communication pass  1010 . The division computer  100 , the conversion computer  110 , the control computer  120 , and the control computer  121  are interconnected with the switch  51 , respectively through a communication pass  1020 , a communication pass  1030 , a communication pass  1040 , and a communication pass  1100 . The storage area network  50  is configured accordingly. The control computer  120  accesses the storage device  80  through the communication pass  1040 , the switch  51 , and the communication pass  1010 , and then processes writing information that is associated with one stripe of the stripe writing information group  500  stored in the storage device  80 . The processing result is transferred to the writing unit  30  through the communication pass  70  to perform writing. During the time the control computer  120  executes the processing and the writing unit  30  executes electron beam lithography, the control computer  121  can process writing information associated with the next stripe. Similar to the control computer  120 , the control computer  121  accesses the storage device  80  through the communication pass  1100 , the switch  51 , and the communication pass  1010 , and then processes unprocessed stripe writing information group  500  stored in the storage device  80 . As describe above, the control computer  120  and the control computer  121  alternately execute the process in advance of the other, which improves the performance of the entire apparatus. 
       FIG. 18  shows an example in which the storage devices are duplicated for the purposes of avoiding contention of access at the storage device  80  shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17  and improving the throughput. The calculation unit  10  includes at least one division computer  100  which executes a process for dividing the semiconductor production information into arbitrary areas, and at least one conversion computer  110  which processes the semiconductor production information that is divided into arbitrary areas. The control unit  20  includes two control computers  120 ,  121 . The storage device  40  for storing the semiconductor production information  200  is interconnected with switches  51 ,  52  trough communication passes  1000 ,  1050 . The storage device  80  for storing the stripe writing information group  500  is interconnected with the switches  51 ,  52  through communication passes  1010 ,  1060 . The storage device  81  for storing the stripe processing results  501  is interconnected with the switches  51 ,  52  through communication passes  1011 ,  1061 . The division computer  100 , the conversion computer  110 , the control computer  120 , and the control computer  121  are interconnected with the switches  51 ,  52 , respectively through communication passes  1020 ,  1070 , communication passes  1030 ,  1080 , communication passes  1040 ,  1090 , and a communication pass  1090 . The storage area network  50  duplicated and having redundancy is configured accordingly. 
     For example, in a case where the storage device  80  is associated with the control computer  120  and the storage device  81  is associated with the control computer  121 , the conversion computer  110  stores the processing results in the storage device  80  through the communication pass  1080 , the switch  51 , and the communication pass  1010 , while the control computer  120  can read out the stripe processing results  500  from the storage device  80  through the communication pass  1040 , the switch  52 , and the communication pass  1060 . Also, the conversion computer  110  stores the processing results in the storage device  81  through the communication pass  1030 , the switch  52 , and the communication pass  1061 , while the control computer  121  can read out the stripe processing results  501  from the storage device  81  through the communication pass  1090 , the switch  51 , and the communication pass  1011 . 
     As described above, the storage operation of the conversion computer  110  to the storage device  80 , the access of the control computer  120  to the storage device  80 , the storage operation of the conversion computer  110  to the storage device  81 , and the access of the control computer  121  to the storage device  81  can be performed through different access passages. Therefore, the contention of access at the storage devices  80 ,  81  and the control computers  120 ,  121  can be avoided, and the performance of the entire system can be improved. 
       FIG. 19  shows an example in which a configuration downstream of the storage device  80  is multiplexed. The storage device  80  for storing the stripe writing information group  500  is interconnected with the storage area network  50 . The control unit includes at least one computer  120 , and is interconnected with the writing unit  30  through a communication pass  70 . The control unit  21  includes at least one computer  130 , and is interconnected with the writing unit  31  through a communication pass  71 . The control unit  20 , the writing unit  30 , the control unit  21 , and the writing unit  31  are interconnected with the storage area network  50 , through which they can access the stripe writing information group  500 . With this configuration, plurality combinations of the control unit and the writing unit are interconnected with the storage area network  50 , which leads to decreased writing time with respect to the same stripe writing information group  500 . With the combination of a multiplexed system as shown in  FIG. 18  in which computers corresponding to the storage device  81  and the control computer  121  are added, speeding up of the processing and decreased writing time can be achieved. 
       FIG. 20  shows a configuration in which the division computer  100  and the conversion computer  110  of the calculation unit  10  are computers of a service provider  600  whose business is to offer lease and management of computers, and the storage device  40  for storing the semiconductor production information and the storage devices  80 ,  81  for storing the stripe writing information are storage devices of a storage provider  700  whose business is to offer lease and management of storage devices, and in which the division computer  100 , the conversion computer  110 , and the storage devices  40 ,  80 ,  81  are interconnected with the control unit  20  and the writing unit  30  through a plurality of passages, such as the Internet  62  or communication pass  32  such as an exclusive line, via a router or bridge  64 . The storage device  81  is for backing up the storage device  80 , and is also used for storing local copies of the storage device  80  and the storage device  40  that is provided in case the communication band of the communication pass  32  is narrow, and frequently-used information. With this configuration, only the control unit  20  and the writing unit  30  of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus can be installed in a semiconductor manufacturing site. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the install space within the clean room. A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus user  2000  as a client of the apparatus or a client  2000  of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus user accesses the Internet  62  or the storage area network  50 , so that they can use the computers of the service provider  600 , the storage devices of the storage provider  700 , the control unit  20 , and the writing unit  30 . In a case where the client  2000  is a logic design maker, mask layout data as a kind of semiconductor design data can be shared through the storage area network  50 ,  32  or the Internet  62 , which allows unify management and unify storage of the mask layout data. Unlike the conventional configuration, it does not require time-consuming transmission/reception of the semiconductor production information  200  between the client and the apparatus user, and they do not have to possess a storage device with a storage capacity corresponding to the semiconductor production information  200 . 
     Because the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus substantially consist of the control unit  20  and the writing unit  30 , by utilizing facilities of the service provider  600  and the storage provider  700 , it is possible to improve the operating efficiency of the facilities with small investment. 
       FIG. 21  shows an example in which the storage device stores shot information concerning electron beam radiation. The calculation unit  10  includes at least one division computer  100  and at least one conversion computer  110 , and is interconnected with the storage area network  50  and the local area network  60 . The control unit  20  includes at least one control computer  120 , a division unit  125  which divides pattern information included in the stripe writing information into basic patterns to be written by electron beam, a proximity correction unit  126  which executes a proximity effect correction on the electron beam radiation, a calibration unit  140  which calibrates the position of the electron beam radiation and the like, and a follow-up unit  142  which follows up the movement of the stage  32  and exerts an influence on deflection of electron beam radiation. The control unit  20  is interconnected with the storage area network  50  and the local area network  60 . The writing unit  30  includes DAC  31  which converts digital data transmitted through the writing data communication pass  70  into analog data and controls a beam deflector and the like, the stage  32  for moving a mask or a wafer, and a bridge  33  which converts digital data to be inputted into DAC  31  into protocol of the storage area network  50 . The writing unit  30  is interconnected with the storage area network  50  and the local area network  60 . 
     With this configuration, processing results at the division unit  125 , the proximity correction unit  126 , and the calibration unit  140  can be temporally stored in the storage device  40 . This can allow the suspended process to be restarted based on the temporally stored results. Further, the shot information  210  for electron beam radiation is stored in the storage device  40  through the bridge  33 . This allows an evaluation of the shot without actual writing even if DAC  31  is not operated, and when the writing is performed actually, it can help to investigate a cause of trouble at the time of writing the shot information  210  stored in the storage device  40 . 
     As previously described with reference to various embodiments, the present invention provides a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, which executes communication of a large volume of semiconductor design information (semiconductor production information) at high speed, and which stores the design information, and which further includes a network through which a plurality of devices can refer to the design information. 
     Also, the present invention provides a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, which includes means for storing processing results after converting and correcting the semiconductor design information, and which allows to suspend and restart the writing process with the use of the stored processing results. 
     Further, the present invention provides a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, which permits a storage format and arrangement of storage devices suitable for the method and the locus of electron beam radiation with respect to the movement of the stage and electron beam radiation permissible area. 
     Further, the present invention provides a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, which allows computers and/or storage devices to be added and/or removed according to a requirement about processing performance and storage capacity without stopping the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus. 
     According to the present invention, with the provision of a communication pass for interconnecting a storage device, it is possible to improve the throughput of the entire apparatus and to unify the management of various data.