PATTERN DATA PROCESSOR FOR ELECTRON BEAM EXPOSURE DEVICE

摘要

A pattern data handling system for an electron beam exposure system wherein figure data conversion is performed simultaneously with irradiation of a workpiece, thereby providing high speed operation. Figure data, containing figure descriptions for a stripe area, is subdivided into blocks of segment figure data and is stored in a pattern data memory. Multiple pattern generators, each including a bit map memory, simultaneously convert blocks of segment figure data to bit maps and store the bit maps in their respective bit map memories. The bit maps are transferred out of the bit map memories and through a shift register one at a time to provide continuous beam blanking data. The system is particularly useful for electron beam exposure of reticles which are characterized by little or no repetition of features and by relatively large features.