Method and apparatus for determining an optical model that models the effect of optical proximity correction
First Claim
1. A computer-executed method for determining an optical model that models effects of optical proximity correction, the method comprising:
- receiving by computer a first optical model which is represented using kernels;
receiving by computer a test layout;
determining by computer a first dataset by convolving the kernels with the test layout at sampling points in the test layout;
applying by computer optical proximity correction to the test layout to obtain a corrected test layout, wherein the optical proximity correction is determined using the first optical model;
determining by computer a second dataset by convolving the kernels with the corrected test layout at the sampling points in the corrected test layout; and
determining by computer a second optical model using the first dataset and the second dataset, wherein convolving the second optical model with the test layout is substantially equal to convolving the first optical model with the corrected test layout.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment provides a system that can enable a designer to determine the effects of subsequent processes at design time. During operation, the system may receive a test layout and an optical model that models an optical system, but which does not model the effects of subsequent processes, such as optical proximity correction (OPC). The system may generate a first dataset using the test layout and the optical model. Next, the system may apply OPC to the test layout, and generate a second dataset using the corrected test layout and the optical model. The system may then use the first dataset and the second dataset to adjust the optical model to obtain a second optical model that models the effects of subsequent processes.
21 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-executed method for determining an optical model that models effects of optical proximity correction, the method comprising:
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receiving by computer a first optical model which is represented using kernels; receiving by computer a test layout; determining by computer a first dataset by convolving the kernels with the test layout at sampling points in the test layout; applying by computer optical proximity correction to the test layout to obtain a corrected test layout, wherein the optical proximity correction is determined using the first optical model; determining by computer a second dataset by convolving the kernels with the corrected test layout at the sampling points in the corrected test layout; and determining by computer a second optical model using the first dataset and the second dataset, wherein convolving the second optical model with the test layout is substantially equal to convolving the first optical model with the corrected test layout. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for determining an optical model that models effects of optical proximity correction, the method comprising:
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receiving a first optical model which is represented using kernels; receiving a test layout; determining a first dataset by convolving the kernels with the test layout at sampling points in the test layout; applying optical proximity correction to the test layout to obtain a corrected test layout, wherein the optical proximity correction is determined using the first optical model; determining a second dataset by convolving the kernels with the corrected test layout at the sampling points in the corrected test layout; and determining a second optical model using the first dataset and the second dataset, wherein convolving the second optical model with the test layout is substantially equal to convolving the first optical model with the corrected test layout. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for determining an optical model that models effects of optical proximity correction, the apparatus comprising:
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a first receiving mechanism configured to receive a first optical model which is represented using kernels; a second receiving mechanism configured to receive a test layout; a first determining mechanism configured to determine a first dataset by convolving the kernels with the test layout at sampling points in the test layout; an applying mechanism configured to apply optical proximity correction to the test layout to obtain a corrected test layout, wherein the optical proximity correction is determined using the first optical model; a second determining mechanism configured to determine a second dataset by convolving the kernels with the corrected test layout at the sampling points in the corrected test layout; and a third determining mechanism configured to determine a second optical model using the first dataset and the second dataset, wherein convolving the second optical model with the test layout is substantially equal to convolving the first optical model with the corrected test layout. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification