Patent ID: 7096127

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising: determining an amount of flare of a lithography system that includes at least one lens and at least one other component, the amount of flare determined by: providing a test workpiece, the test workpiece comprising a first layer of photosensitive material disposed thereon; exposing the first layer of photosensitive material to energy through at least one mask, the at least one mask comprising a first test pattern and a second test pattern disposed proximate a portion of the first test pattern, the second test pattern comprising an opaque or attenuated region; developing the first layer of photosensitive material; and measuring features formed on the first photosensitive material by the first test pattern proximate the second test pattern, wherein measuring the features formed on the layer of photosensitive material indicates the amount of flare of the lithography system; if the amount of flare exceeds a predetermined amount of flare, then servicing or replacing the at least one lens and/or the at least one other component of the lithography system; providing a semiconductor workpiece, the semiconductor workpiece having a second layer of photosensitive material disposed thereon; exposing the second layer of photosensitive material using the lithography system and a lithography mask; developing the second layer of photosensitive material; and using the second layer of photosensitive material to pattern a material layer of the second workpiece.