Patent ID: 7846617

Claim:
A pattern forming method comprising the steps of: forming a resist pattern on a coating layer on a substrate; applying a first etching to said coating layer using said resist pattern as a mask to form a first pattern in said coating layer, an edge of said first pattern being defined by the first etching; applying a second etching to an underlying layer which lies below said coating layer using at least said first pattern having said edge as a mask to form a recess pattern in said underlying layer; performing a defect inspection for said recess pattern; producing, when a residue-defect in said recess pattern is detected by said defect inspection, defect portion data including a residue-defect portion; forming a repairing resist pattern on said coating layer based on said defect portion data; applying a third etching to said underlying layer using said first pattern having said edge and said repairing resist pattern as a mask to form a recess in said underlying layer, thereby repairing said residue-defect; forming a resist pattern for forming an opening on the coating layer; and applying a fourth etching, using said resist pattern for forming the opening as a mask, to said coating layer whereby said opening is formed so that said first pattern in said coating layer is removed.