Patent ID: 6928636

Claim:
A rule-based OPC evaluating method comprising the steps of: obtaining correction data by correcting design data about an initial mask pattern through rule-based OPC; forming said initial mask pattern into an initial mask based on said correction data; forming gate patterns into an initial wafer using said initial mask; obtaining measured data about said initial gate patterns by measuring lengths of said initial gate patterns formed on said initial wafer; creating a simulation-based OPC model through execution of process calibration based both on test pattern design data about a test-use mask for process calibration purposes, and on measured data about gate patterns of a test-use wafer fabricated using said test-use mask; obtaining simulation data by simulating said design data about said initial mask pattern using said simulation-based OPC model; evaluating said rule-based OPC by comparing said measured data about said initial gate patterns with said simulation data; and establishing a correction grid constituting a minimum increment in which to correct said mask pattern, wherein said design data about said initial mask pattern are corrected based on said correction grid.