Patent ID: 8260031

Claim:
A pattern inspection method comprising: inputting first sample optical image data, and converting the first sample optical image data to second sample optical image data which has a resolution N times that of the first sample optical image data, and which has a higher resolution than the first sample optical image data; inputting first design image data which has a resolution N times that of the first sample optical image data, and which has a higher resolution than the first sample optical image data, and in which a gray level value corresponding to the first sample optical image data is defined, and calculating second design image data by convolving the first design image data with a predetermined low-pass filtering function; calculating third design image data by convolving the second design image data with a predetermined optical model function; acquiring a coefficient of the predetermined optical model function by performing a predetermined calculation by using the second sample optical image data and the third design image data; acquiring actual optical image data of an inspection target workpiece on which a pattern is formed; generating reference image data corresponding to the actual optical image data of the inspection target workpiece by using the coefficient; and inputting the actual optical image data, and comparing the actual optical image data with the reference image data to output a comparison result.