Registering measured images to layout data

1. A method, comprising:

generating a predictive reference image that represents expected locations of emission spots as if said spots had been acquired in measurement from a layout design or portion thereof;

correlating the predictive reference image to a measured image obtained from a device having a corresponding structure for the layout design or the portion thereof;

computing a best match transformation between the predictive reference image and the measured image that corresponds to a highest quality correlation between the predictive reference image and the measured image;

correlating the layout design or portion thereof with the measured image based upon the best match transformation; and

applying the best match transformation directly to the layout design.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein generating a predictive reference image includes:

assigning shapes to components in the layout;

placing the shapes in relative positions in the layout; and

assigning pixel values for the shapes to create the predictive reference image.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein assigning pixel values includes assigning a center of the shapes a pixel value greater than zero.

4. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein assigning pixel values includes assigning an area of the shape a pixel value greater than zero.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising processing the layout image to focus on an area of interest.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising processing the layout image to match an anticipated scale and orientation of device in the measured image.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the device in the measured image includes an emissions image of a device under test and the layout design includes a semiconductor chip layout.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the device in the measured image includes an optical scan image of a device under test and the layout design includes a semiconductor chip layout.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising analyzing an overlaid image including the layout design or portion thereof and the measured image to determine one or more of component operation or failures, collect statistics and determine operating characteristics.

10. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform the steps of:

generating a predictive reference image that represents expected locations of emission spots as if said spots had been acquired in measurement from a layout design or portion thereof;

correlating the predictive reference image to a measured image obtained from a device having a corresponding structure for the layout design or the portion thereof;

computing a best match transformation between the predictive reference image and the measured image that corresponds to a highest quality correlation between the predictive reference image and the measured image;

correlating the layout design or portion thereof with the measured image based upon the best match transformation; and

applying the best match transformation directly to the layout design.

11. A system, comprising:

an optical instrument including an imaging device for collecting images of a device of interest;

a computer configured to process images collected by the imaging device, the computer including a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including a tool for registering a layout design to a measured image, the tool configured to:

generate a predictive reference image that represents expected locations of emission spots as if said spots had been acquired in measurement from a layout design or portion thereof;

correlate the predictive reference image to a measured image obtained from the device having a corresponding structure for the layout design or the portion thereof;

compute a best match transformation between the predictive reference image and the measured image that corresponds to a highest quality correlation between the predictive reference image and the measured image;

correlate the layout design or portion thereof with the measured image based upon the best match transformation; and

apply the best match transformation directly to the layout design.

12. The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the predictive reference image includes shapes for components in the layout, wherein the shapes are placed in relative positions in the layout such that pixel values are assigned for the shapes to create the predictive reference image.

13. The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the pixel values include at least one of: a center of the shape having a pixel value greater than zero, an area of the shape having a pixel value greater than zero, and a perimeter of the shape having a pixel value greater than zero.

14. The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the processor processes the layout image to match an anticipated scale and orientation of the device in the measured image.

15. The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the device in the measured image includes one of an emissions image and an optical scan image of the device and the layout design includes a semiconductor chip layout.

16. The system as recited in claim 11 , further comprising an overlaid image including the layout design or portion thereof and the measured image to determine one or more of component operation or failures, collect statistics and determine operating characteristics.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predictive image is an artificial image having a size that is the same as the measured image and that covers the entire layout design.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the predictive image is an artificial image having a size that is the same as the measured image and that covers the entire layout design.