Patent ID: 7383530

Claim:
A mask fidelity inspection method comprising: generating a first mask picture from a first mask, the first mask being made from a predetermined mask design with a first optical proximity correction (OPC) model applied thereto; generating a second mask picture from a second mask, the second mask being made from the predetermined mask design with a second OPC model applied thereto; converting the first and second mask pictures into a first and second mask based simulation files; conducting a first simulation session under predetermined photolithography processing conditions using the first mask based simulation file to generate one or more files representing a first wafer photo resist profile thereof; conducting a second simulation session under the predetermined photolithography processing conditions using the second mask based simulation file to generate one or more files representing a second wafer photo resist profile thereof; applying the first and second OPC models to the predetermined mask design in a database mask file format; conducting a third simulation under the predetermined photolithography processing conditions using the mask design with the first OPC model to generate one or more files representing an expected wafer photo resist profile thereof; conducting a fourth simulation under the predetermined photolithography processing conditions using the mask design with the second OPC model to generate one or more files representing an expected wafer photo resist profile thereof; evaluating the first, second, third and fourth wafer photo resist profiles; selecting one of the first and second OPC models for use under the predetermined photolithography processing conditions based on the evaluating; and outputting the selected OPC model to a computer readable storage medium, wherein the evaluating includes setting one or more parameter thresholds of the wafer photo resist profiles for identifying the effectiveness of the first or second OPC model with regard to the photolithography processing conditions.