Contrast based resolution enhancing technology

A method comprising:

• receiving a plurality of edge fragments that define at least a portion of a photolithographic design, said edge fragments having a tag classification selected from a plurality of tag classifications that define a contrast of the corresponding edge fragment;
• applying a resolution enhancement to one or more of the edge fragments based on the tag classification to introduce an additional feature in the photolithographic design in order to change the contrast of the one or more edge fragments, wherein said resolution enhancements are applied by generating an original contrast signature for the plurality of edge fragments prior to modifying any of the plurality of edge fragments with the resolution enhancement;
• selecting one of the plurality of tag classifications as a selected tag classification;
• modifying each edge fragment among the plurality of edge fragments having the selected tag classification with the resolution enhancement;
• generating a current contrast signature for the plurality of edge fragments after applying the resolution enhancement;
• and
• determining a signature change between the original contrast signature and the current contrast signature.