Patent ID: 7673278

Claim:
A method of creating data for a hot-spot library comprising: obtaining a first layout for a first layer of a substrate using a first set of design rules, wherein the first layout is a test layout from a layout tool; creating the test layout in a first masking layer on the substrate using a first reference processing sequence, wherein the first masking layer includes a photoresist layer, an anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer, or a bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) layer, or any combination thereof; selecting a first evaluation field in the first masking layer using first data associated with the first reference processing sequence or second data associated with the first set of design rules, or any combination thereof, wherein the first evaluation field in the first masking layer comprises a first hot-spot pattern that was created using the first reference processing sequence, wherein the first reference processing sequence and the first set of design rules have yield data associated therewith, the first reference processing sequence being performed with a first set of reference processing tools, or reference processing parameters, or any combination thereof; obtaining evaluation data from the first evaluation field, wherein the first hot-spot pattern is measured in the first evaluation field, the evaluation data including one or more measured contrast images and at least one calculated Image Parameter (IP) value; obtaining best estimate data in real-time from the hot-spot library, wherein the best estimate data includes one or more best estimate contrast images, or one or more best estimate IP values, or any combination thereof; determining first differences between the evaluation data and the best estimate data; comparing the first differences to one or more first hot-spot library creation limits; updating the hot-spot library, when one or more of the first hot-spot library creation limits are met, wherein the first hot-spot pattern is identified and stored as a first member of the hot-spot library; and performing a first corrective action when at least one of the first hot-spot library creation limits are not met.