Correction pattern generation device, pattern defect correction system, correction pattern generation method, and semiconductor device manufacturing method

1. A correction pattern generation device, comprising:

a processor configured to:

receive pattern information for a mask including a defect in a pattern formed on the mask;

generate correction pattern candidates for correcting the defect;

calculate a correction difficulty degree for each of the correction pattern candidates, the correction difficulty degree being a value corresponding to an expected success rate for correction of the defect by formation of a correction pattern corresponding to the respective correction pattern candidate on the mask; and

select a correction pattern from the correction pattern candidates based on the calculated correction difficulty degree for each correction pattern candidate.

2. The correction pattern generation device according to claim 1 , wherein

the processor is further configured to calculate an exposure likelihood for each correction pattern candidate, and

selection of the correction pattern from the correction pattern candidates is further based on the calculated exposure likelihood for each correction pattern candidate.

3. The correction pattern generation device according to claim 1 , wherein calculation of the correction difficulty degree includes as an input at least one of the following:

a time required for correcting the defect using the correction pattern candidate,

a defect type of the defect,

a material type of a correction film to be used formation of the correction pattern corresponding to the correction pattern candidate for correcting the defect, and

a correction process required for correcting the defect using the correction pattern candidate.

4. The correction pattern generation device according to claim 1 , wherein the correction pattern candidates are generated using an optical simulation.

5. The correction pattern generation device according to claim 4 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive original pattern data used for forming the pattern on the mask.

6. The correction pattern generation device according to claim 1 , wherein the mask is a photomask and the pattern formed on the mask includes a main pattern transferred to an object and a sub-pattern that is not transferred to the object.

7. A pattern defect correction system, comprising:

a defect detection device configured to detect a defect in a pattern formed on a mask and provide pattern information for the mask including the defect in the pattern;

a correction pattern generation device configured to output a correction pattern for correcting the defect in the pattern; and

a defect correction device configured to correct the defect in the pattern using the correction pattern, wherein

the correction pattern generation device includes a processor configured to:

receive the pattern information from the defect detection device;

generate correction pattern candidates for correcting the defect;

calculate a correction difficulty degree for each of the correction pattern candidates, the correction difficulty degree being a value corresponding to an expected success rate for correction of the defect by formation of a correction pattern corresponding to the respective correction pattern candidate on the mask by use of the defect correction device; and

select a correction pattern for output from the correction pattern candidates based on the calculated correction difficulty degree for each correction pattern candidate.

8. The pattern defect correction system according to claim 7 , wherein the defect detection device includes:

an image capturing unit to acquire images of the pattern formed on the mask; and

a detection unit configured detect defects in the pattern formed on the mask by analysis of the images acquired by the image capturing unit.

9. The pattern defect correction system according to claim 8 , wherein the defect correction device includes:

a deposit unit to deposit material on the mask; and

a removal unit to remove material on the mask.

10. The pattern defect correction system according to claim 7 , wherein the defect correction device includes:

a deposit unit to deposit material on the mask; and

a removal unit to remove material on the mask.

11. The pattern defect correction system according to claim 7 , wherein

the processor is further configured to calculate an exposure likelihood for each correction pattern candidate, and

selection of the correction pattern from the correction pattern candidates is further based on the calculated exposure likelihood for each correction pattern candidate.

12. The pattern defect correction system according to claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive original pattern data used for forming the pattern on the mask.

13. The pattern defect correction system according to claim 7 , wherein the mask is a photomask and the pattern formed on the mask includes a main pattern transferred to an object and a sub-pattern that is not transferred to the object.

14. The pattern defect correction system according to claim 7 , wherein the correction pattern candidates are generated using an optical simulation.

15. A method of correcting a photomask pattern defect, the method comprising:

detecting a defect in a pattern formed on a photomask;

extracting an area of the pattern including the defect;

generating correction pattern candidates for correcting the defect by comparing an intended pattern to be formed with the photomask to a pattern that is expected to be formed using the extracted area of the pattern including the defect;

calculating a correction difficulty degree for correcting the defect using each of the correction pattern candidates, the correction difficulty degree being a value corresponding to an expected success rate for correction of the defect by formation of a correction pattern corresponding to the respective correction pattern candidate on the photomask;

selecting a correction pattern from the correction pattern candidates based on the calculated correction difficulty degree for each correction candidate; and

correcting the defect in the pattern using the selected correction pattern to modify the photomask.

16. The method of correcting a photomask pattern defect according to claim 15 , further comprising:

calculating an exposure likelihood for each correction pattern candidate, wherein

selection of the correction pattern from the correction pattern candidates is further based on the calculated exposure likelihood for each correction pattern candidate.

17. The method of correcting a photomask pattern defect according to claim 15 , wherein the pattern formed on the mask includes sub-resolution assist features.

18. The correction pattern generation device according to claim 6 , wherein the defect is in the sub-pattern.

19. The correction pattern generation device according to claim 1 , wherein the pattern information for the mask is acquired from an image of the pattern formed on the mask.

20. The correction pattern generation device according to claim 1 , wherein generation of correction pattern candidates is based on an intended pattern to be transferred to an object using the mask.