Patent ID: 6964031

Claim:
A mask pattern generation method of generating mask patterns from designed patterns, comprising: preparing a correction library in which a plurality of an edge coordinate group and a correction value group to correct the edge coordinate group are registered; acquiring a first edge coordinate group from a first designed pattern; checking whether or not an edge coordinate group agreeing with the first edge coordinate group is registered in said correction library; calculating the correction value group to correct the first edge coordinate group by simulation based on a first correction parameter, when the edge coordinate group is not registered; registered a pair of the calculated correction value group and the first edge coordinate group into said correction library; reading the corresponding correction value group from said correction library, when the edge coordinate group is registered; correcting the first designed pattern in accordance with the calculated correction value group or the read correction value group, to generate the first mask pattern; acquiring a second edge coordinate group of a second designed pattern different from the first designed pattern; checking whether or not the edge coordinate group agreeing with the second edge coordinate group is registered in said correction library; calculating the correction value group with respect to the second edge coordinate group by the simulation based on a second correction parameter, when the edge coordinate group is not registered; registering a pair of the calculated correction value group and second edge coordinate group into said correction library; reading the corresponding correction value group from the correction library, when the edge coordinate group is registered; and correcting the second designed pattern in accordance with the calculated correction value group or the read correction value group, to generate a second mask pattern.