Patent ID: 8034515

Claim:
A pattern forming method for forming a pattern in a processing target using a mask pattern formed in a resist applied on the processing target, the pattern forming method comprising: applying a resist on the processing target in which a first device pattern cut in a predetermined shape and a first pattern for overlay shift inspection formed by arraying a plurality of first mark rows, in which marks cut in a rectangular shape are arrayed at predetermined intervals in a first direction, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction are formed; forming, in the resist, a mask pattern for forming a second device pattern and a second pattern for overlay shift inspection formed by arraying, in the second direction, a plurality of second mark rows in which marks cut in a rectangular shape are arranged among the marks arrayed in the first direction of the first mark row and a forming position in the second direction is arranged to overlap the first mark row by predetermined overlapping length; calculating an overlay shift amount of the second pattern for overlay shift inspection with respect to the first pattern for overlay shift inspection by detecting diffracted light obtained by irradiating light on the first and second patterns for overlay shift inspection; determining whether the calculated overlay shift amount is within a predetermined range; and when the overlay shift amount is not within the predetermined range, peeling off the resist and applying a new resist in which another mask pattern and another second pattern are to be formed on the processing target for determining whether the overlay shift amount is within the predetermined range and, when the overlay shift amount is within the predetermined range, processing the processing target using the mask pattern formed in the resist.