Patent ID: 7627837

Claim:
A method to analyze a layout pattern comprising one or more features to determine whether at least one shape of the pattern is suitable for rule-based optical proximity correction, comprising the steps of: analyzing the pattern to identify a plurality of variable values comprising width (w), spacing (s), and height (h); calculating a region of sight based on the variable values, the region of sight being given by h(w+s); specifying at least one performance metric specification for the at least one shape of the pattern for which a suitable correction rule is sought; calculating a range of possible values for the at least one performance metric induced by uncertainties outside the region of sight by simulating the pattern using a lithography model, wherein said simulation is performed by an integrated circuit (IC) design tool; and determining whether the at least one shape can be corrected by rule-based optical proximity correction dependent on whether there exists at least one correction rule to the at least one shape such that when the correction rule is applied, the range of possible values of the at least one performance metric is within the at least one performance metric specification.