Patent ID: 7078135

Claim:
A method for patterning a mask layer of a mask, which comprises: providing a mask with a mask layer, a membrane holder for mounting on the mask, and a membrane for protecting the mask layer from contaminants during a patterning of a layer with the mask; prescribing an ideal mask pattern; measuring height tolerances of the mask and the membrane holder in regions of contact therebetween in a mounted state; calculating lateral distortions of the ideal mask pattern arising during a mounting of the membrane holder on the mask on account of the height tolerances; and transferring a corrected mask pattern onto the mask layer, the corrected mask pattern having compensation corrections relative to the ideal mask pattern, the compensation corrections compensating for the lateral distortions arising during the mounting of the membrane holder on the mask on account of the height tolerances, thereby patterning the mask layer with the corrected mask pattern.