Abstract: A process proximity correction method is performed by a process proximity correction computing device which performs a process proximity correction (PPC) through at least one of a plurality of processors. The process proximity correction method includes: converting a target layout including a plurality of patterns into an image, zooming-in or zooming-out the image at a plurality of magnifications to generate a plurality of input channels, receiving the plurality of input channels and performing machine learning to predict an after-cleaning image (ACI), comparing the predicted after-cleaning image with a target value to generate an after-cleaning image error, and adjusting the target layout on the basis of the after-cleaning image error.

Abstract: A process proximity correction method is performed by a process proximity correction computing device which performs a process proximity correction (PPC) through at least one of a plurality of processors. The process proximity correction method includes: converting a target layout including a plurality of patterns into an image, zooming-in or zooming-out the image at a plurality of magnifications to generate a plurality of input channels, receiving the plurality of input channels and performing machine learning to predict an after-cleaning image (ACI), comparing the predicted after-cleaning image with a target value to generate an after-cleaning image error, and adjusting the target layout on the basis of the after-cleaning image error.

Abstract: In a method of calculating a shift value of a cell contact, a reference region and a correction region may be set on an image of an actual cell block. The cell block may include a plurality of actual cell contacts formed using a mask. Each of preliminary shift values of the actual cell contacts with respect to target cell contacts in a target cell block to be formed using the mask may be measured based on the image. The preliminary shift values of the actual cell contacts in the reference region may be minimized. Actual shift values of the actual cell contacts in the correction region with respect to the minimized preliminary shift values may be calculated. Thus, the mask may be corrected using the accurately measured shift values so that the cell contacts may have designed positions.

Abstract: In a method of calculating a shift value of a cell contact, a reference region and a correction region may be set on an image of an actual cell block. The cell block may include a plurality of actual cell contacts formed using a mask. Each of preliminary shift values of the actual cell contacts with respect to target cell contacts in a target cell block to be formed using the mask may be measured based on the image. The preliminary shift values of the actual cell contacts in the reference region may be minimized. Actual shift values of the actual cell contacts in the correction region with respect to the minimized preliminary shift values may be calculated. Thus, the mask may be corrected using the accurately measured shift values so that the cell contacts may have designed positions.

Abstract: In a method of calculating a shift value of a cell contact, a reference region and a correction region may be set on an image of an actual cell block. The cell block may include a plurality of actual cell contacts formed using a mask. Each of preliminary shift values of the actual cell contacts with respect to target cell contacts in a target cell block to be formed using the mask may be measured based on the image. The preliminary shift values of the actual cell contacts in the reference region may be minimized. Actual shift values of the actual cell contacts in the correction region with respect to the minimized preliminary shift values may be calculated. Thus, the mask may be corrected using the accurately measured shift values so that the cell contacts may have designed positions.

Abstract: Provided is a method of detecting a defect of a pattern using vectorization to increase accuracy and efficiency in OPC modeling and OPC verification. The method includes acquiring a target layout image associated with a target pattern, acquiring a pattern image associated with a pattern formed on a substrate, extracting an edge image from the pattern image, producing a first vector form based on the target layout image, producing a second vector form based on the edge image, and comparing the first vector form with the second vector form.

Abstract: In a method of calculating a shift value of a cell contact, a reference region and a correction region may be set on an image of an actual cell block. The cell block may include a plurality of actual cell contacts formed using a mask. Each of preliminary shift values of the actual cell contacts with respect to target cell contacts in a target cell block to be formed using the mask may be measured based on the image. The preliminary shift values of the actual cell contacts in the reference region may be minimized. Actual shift values of the actual cell contacts in the correction region with respect to the minimized preliminary shift values may be calculated. Thus, the mask may be corrected using the accurately measured shift values so that the cell contacts may have designed positions.

Abstract: Provided is a method of detecting a defect of a pattern using vectorization to increase accuracy and efficiency in OPC modeling and OPC verification. The method includes acquiring a target layout image associated with a target pattern, acquiring a pattern image associated with a pattern formed on a substrate, extracting an edge image from the pattern image, producing a first vector form based on the target layout image, producing a second vector form based on the edge image, and comparing the first vector form with the second vector form.

Abstract: A block management method for OPC model calibration includes calculating differences in several different optical functions between first patterns of a first mask and patterns of a second mask corresponding to the first patterns but differing therefrom by a predetermined bias, selecting one or more of the optical functions based on the calculated differences, clustering data of variations in the values of the calculated differences in the selected ones of the optical functions, selecting respective ones of the first patterns in consideration of how the data clusters, and designating the selected first patterns as test patterns.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a photo-mask having a micro pattern. The method includes providing an analyzing design layout, dividing the analyzing design layout into a two-dimensionally repeated portion, a one-dimensionally repeated portion, and a non-repeated portion, forming a first corrected layout by performing optical proximity correction (OPC) in the two-dimensionally repeated portion, forming a second corrected layout, taking account of the first corrected layout, by performing OPC in the one-dimensionally repeated portion, forming a third corrected layout, taking account of the first corrected layout and the second corrected layout, by performing OPC in the non-repeated portion, and forming a photo-mask based on the first through third corrected layouts.

Abstract: A block management method for OPC model calibration includes calculating differences in several different optical functions between first patterns of a first mask and patterns of a second mask corresponding to the first patterns but differing therefrom by a predetermined bias, selecting one or more of the optical functions based on the calculated differences, clustering data of variations in the values of the calculated differences in the selected ones of the optical functions, selecting respective ones of the first patterns in consideration of how the data clusters, and designating the selected first patterns as test patterns.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a photomask includes OPC of a mask pattern based on an approximated (i.e., a predicted) critical dimension (CD) of a film pattern formed using the photomask. First, a photomask is provided, a photosensitive film pattern is formed by a lithographic process using the photomask, a CD of the photosensitive film pattern is determined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and a value of the CD of the photosensitive film pattern, at a point in time before the film pattern has been shrunk by the SEM, is approximated by measuring the CD using a reference microscope (e.g., an AFM) and the SEM or just by using the SEM in several sequences.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a photo-mask having a micro pattern. The method includes providing an analyzing design layout, dividing the analyzing design layout into a two-dimensionally repeated portion, a one-dimensionally repeated portion, and a non-repeated portion, forming a first corrected layout by performing optical proximity correction (OPC) in the two-dimensionally repeated portion, forming a second corrected layout, taking account of the first corrected layout, by performing OPC in the one-dimensionally repeated portion, forming a third corrected layout, taking account of the first corrected layout and the second corrected layout, by performing OPC in the non-repeated portion, and forming a photo-mask based on the first through third corrected layouts.

Abstract: A method for correcting line width variation occurring during a development process in fabricating a photomask and a recording medium in which the exposure method is recorded is provided, wherein pattern line width variation occurring in a development process with respect to a desirable pattern is estimated, and a corrective exposure is performed using a dose or bias of an electron beam corresponding to the estimated pattern line width variation. Accordingly, pattern line width variation occurring during a development process can be reduced.

Abstract: An exposure method and apparatus for use in exposing a photoresist on a semiconductor wafer do not employ an aperture for shaping the exposure light. The exposure apparatus includes a light source unit, a reflecting mirror unit having a micro mirror array (MMA) and a control unit that controls the MMA, and a pattern transfer unit that transfers the pattern of a photomask onto the photoresist. The angles of inclination of the respective mirrors of the MMA are adjusted to reflect incident light in a manner that shapes the incident light. Accordingly, it is possible to form a pattern having the highest degree of resolution and optimum depth of focus (DOF) in the shortest amount of processing time.

Abstract: A method for correcting line width variation occurring during a development process in fabricating a photomask and a recording medium in which the exposure method is recorded is provided, wherein pattern line width variation occurring in a development process with respect to a desirable pattern is estimated, and a corrective exposure is performed using a dose or bias of an electron beam corresponding to the estimated pattern line width variation. Accordingly, pattern line width variation occurring during a development process can be reduced.

Abstract: An electron beam exposure method is disclosed. First, An exposure region is divided into a plurality of grating regions. A pattern density is obtained for one of the plurality of grating regions. A backward scattering coefficient is determined in accordance with the pattern density for the one of the plurality of grating regions. An exposure dose amount is calculated from the backward scattering coefficient. The one of the plurality of grating regions is exposed with the calculated exposure dose amount. The backward scattering coefficient is provided with a variable function proportional to the pattern density. The backward scattering coefficient &eegr; is provided with a variable value depending on the pattern density and location of the one of the plurality of grating regions.

Abstract: A method for correcting line width variation occurring during a development process in fabricating a photomask and a recording medium in which the exposure method is recorded is provided, wherein pattern line width variation occurring in a development process with respect to a desirable pattern is estimated, and a corrective exposure is performed using a dose or bias of an electron beam corresponding to the estimated pattern line width variation. Accordingly, pattern line width variation occurring during a development process can be reduced.

Abstract: An exposure method and apparatus for use in exposing a photoresist on a semiconductor wafer do not employ an aperture for shaping the exposure light. The exposure apparatus includes a light source unit, a reflecting mirror unit having a micro mirror array (MMA) and a control unit that controls the MMA, and a pattern transfer unit that transfers the pattern of a photomask onto the photoresist. The angles of inclination of the respective mirrors of the MMA are adjusted to reflect incident light in a manner that shapes the incident light. Accordingly, it is possible to form a pattern having the highest degree of resolution and optimum depth of focus (DOF) in the shortest amount of processing time.

Abstract: A technique of exposing a resist with electron beams having different accelerating voltages is used in a method for manufacturing a photomask. In a first exposing step, an electron beam resist on a substrate is exposed with an electron beam having an accelerating voltage low enough to keep the electron beam resist from developing. In a second exposing step, the electron beam resist is exposed with an electron beam having a higher accelerating voltage. Through the first and second exposing steps, the electron beam resist absorbs an amount of energy greater than the threshold energy, i.e., enough energy to allow the photoresist to be developed. This technique is applied to a resist coating at least one of an opaque layer and a phase shift film form on a transparent substrate. After the resist is developed, the opaque layer and/or phase shift film is etched using the patterned resist as an etching mask.