Abstract:
A method of optical proximity correction (OPC) convergence control that includes providing a lithography system having a photomask and an illuminator. The method further includes performing an exposure by the illuminator on the photomask. Also, the method includes optimizing an optical illuminator setting for the lithography system with a defined gate pitch in a first direction in a first template. Additionally, the method includes determining OPC correctors to converge the OPC results with a target edge placement error (EPE) to produce a first OPC setting for the first template. The first OPC setting targets a relatively small EPE and mask error enhancement factor (MEEF)of the defined gate pitch in the first template. In addition, the method includes checking the first OPC setting for a relatively small EPE, MEEF and DOM consistency with the first template of the defined gate pitch in a second, adjacent template.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a plurality of dummy gates over a substrate. The dummy gates extend along a first axis. The method includes forming a masking layer over the dummy gates. The masking layer defines an elongate opening extending along a second axis different from the first axis. The opening exposes first portions of the dummy gates and protects second portions of the dummy gates. A tip portion of the opening has a width greater than a width of a non-tip portion of the opening. The masking layer is formed using an optical proximity correction (OPC) process. The method includes replacing the first portions of the dummy gates with a plurality of first metal gates. The method includes replacing the second portions of the dummy gates with a plurality of second metal gates different from the first metal gates.
Abstract:
Methods of forming a semiconductor structure and the semiconductor structure are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a gate dielectric layer over a substrate, forming a gate electrode layer over the gate dielectric layer, and etching the gate electrode layer and the gate dielectric layer to form a horizontal gate structure and a vertical gate structure, wherein the horizontal gate structure and the vertical gate structure are connected by an interconnection portion. The method further includes forming a photoresist covering the horizontal gate structure and the vertical gate structure, with the photoresist having a gap exposing the interconnection portion between the horizontal gate structure and the vertical gate structure, and then etching the interconnection portion.
Abstract:
An embodiment of the invention provides a semiconductor integrated circuit device having a dummy pattern for improving micro-loading effects. The device comprises an active region in a substrate and an isolation region in the substrate adjacent the active region. A plurality of dummy patterns are formed over the isolation region, wherein each dummy pattern is aligned parallel to and lengthwise dimension of the active region. The dummy patterns may have non-uniform spacing or non-uniform aspect ratios. The dummy pattern may have, in plan view, a rectangular shape, wherein its length is greater than the lengthwise dimension of the active region. The spacing between the dummy pattern and the active region may be less than about 1500 nm.
Abstract:
An embodiment of the invention provides a semiconductor integrated circuit device having a dummy pattern for improving micro-loading effects. The device comprises an active region in a substrate and an isolation region in the substrate adjacent the active region. A plurality of dummy patterns are formed over the isolation region, wherein each dummy pattern is aligned parallel to and lengthwise dimension of the active region. The dummy patterns may have non-uniform spacing or non-uniform aspect ratios. The dummy pattern may have, in plan view, a rectangular shape, wherein its length is greater than the lengthwise dimension of the active region. The spacing between the dummy pattern and the active region may be less than about 1500 nm.
Abstract:
An optimized optical proximity correction modeling method comprises receiving a selection of a regression method, displaying regression parameters, receiving values for the displayed regression parameters, receiving a selection of an optimization method, displaying optimization parameters, receiving values for the displayed optimization parameters, and generating a optimized optical proximity correction output.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a photomask. The photomask includes a first integrated circuit (IC) feature formed on a substrate; and a second IC feature formed on the substrate and configured proximate to the first IC feature. The first and second IC features define a dense pattern having a first pattern density. The second IC feature is further extended from the dense pattern, forming an isolated pattern having a second pattern density less than the first pattern density. A transition region is defined from the dense pattern to the isolated pattern. The photomask further includes a sub-resolution rod (SRR) formed on the substrate, disposed in the transition region, and connected with the first IC feature.
Abstract:
Semiconductor integrated circuit line structures for improving a process window in the vicinity of dense-to-isolated pattern transition areas and a technique to implement the line structures in the layout process are described in this disclosure. The disclosed structure includes a semiconductor substrate, and a material layer above the substrate. The material layer has a closely spaced dense line structure, an isolated line structure next to the dense line structure, and a dummy line shoulder structure formed in the vicinity of the dense line and the isolated line structures. One end of the dummy line shoulder structure connects to the isolated line structure and another end extends away from the isolated line structure in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the isolated line structure.
Abstract:
An optimized optical proximity correction modeling method comprises receiving a selection of a regression method, displaying regression parameters, receiving values for the displayed regression parameters, receiving a selection of an optimization method, displaying optimization parameters, receiving values for the displayed optimization parameters, and generating an optimized optical proximity correction output.
Abstract:
A method comprising dissecting a photomask pattern layout into a plurality of segments, each segment having at least one evaluation point, applying a rule-based MPC to the photomask pattern layout and generating a rule-based MPC result, and applying a model-based MPC to the plurality of segments of the photomask pattern layout and generating an MPC correction that is influenced by the rule-based MPC result.