Patent ID: 8443307

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of tuning a to-be-tuned lithographic process to a reference lithographic process, comprising: obtaining respective lithographic process models for both the reference lithographic process and the to-be-tuned lithographic process; identifying a set of tunable parameters of the to-be-tuned lithographic process, wherein the tunable parameters are distinct and independent from patterns on a design layout to be imaged using the to-be-tuned lithographic process; determining responses of the to-be-tuned lithographic process model to changes in the set of tunable parameters; determining optimal changes in the tunable parameters that cause the lithographic process models to match, wherein the step of determining optimal changes includes applying non-uniform weights to different terms on the lithographic process models; and adjusting the model for the to-be-tuned lithographic process based on the determined optimal changes, wherein one or more of the obtaining, identifying, determining responses, determining optimal changes, and adjusting steps are implemented by the computer.