Abstract:
Methodologies and an apparatus enabling a generation of color undeterminable polygons in IC designs are disclosed. Embodiments include: determining a plurality of first routes extending horizontally in an IC design, each of the plurality of first routes being placed on one of a plurality of equally spaced vertical positions of the IC design; determining whether a second route overlaps one of the vertical positions of the plurality of equally spaced vertical positions; and selecting a design rule for the second route based on the determination of whether the second route overlaps.
Abstract:
Methods for performing design rule checking of a circuit design are provided. The methods include, for instance: providing a circuit design for an integrated circuit layer, in which the circuit design includes a plurality of design lines oriented in a particular direction; and automatically performing a design rule check of the circuit design, which may include forming a verification pattern for the circuit design, the verification pattern comprising a plurality of verification lines and a plurality of verification regions, wherein one or more verification regions are associated with and connected to one verification line of the plurality of verification lines, and checking the verification pattern for any verification line overlapping a verification region. The circuit design may be considered to fail the design rule check if an end of one verification line overlaps any verification region associated with another verification line of the verification pattern.
Abstract:
Self-aligned double patterning processes to produce metal route between and connecting conductive lines are disclosed. Embodiments include forming a hard mask over a dielectric layer; forming a patterning template including plural parallel linear elements on the hard mask, wherein said hard mask is exposed between adjacent parallel linear elements; forming a block mask covering a portion of said adjacent parallel linear elements and spaces therebetween; etching exposed portions of said hard mask through said block mask and said patterning template defining plural parallel lines; removing said block mask and said patterning template; forming a cut mask above said hard mask to define an opening perpendicular to and connecting two adjacent parallel lines; etching said hard mask through said cut mask and removing the cut mask; etching recesses in the dielectric layer through said hard mask; removing the hard mask; and filling said recesses with a conductive material.
Abstract:
Methods for accommodating a non-integer multiple of the M2 pitch for the cell height of a semiconductor cell and the resulting devices are disclosed. Embodiments may include forming a cell within an integrated circuit (IC) with a height of a first integer and a remainder times a track pitch of a metal track layer, and forming power rails within the metal track layer at boundaries of the cell accommodating for the remainder.
Abstract:
A method for efficient off-track routing and the resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments include: providing a hardmask on a substrate; providing a plurality of first mandrels on the hardmask; providing a first spacer on each side of each of the first mandrels; providing a plurality of first non-mandrel regions of the substrate being separated from the first mandrels and between two of the first spacers, each of the first mandrels, first non-mandrel regions, and first spacers having a width equal to a distance; and providing a second mandrel having a width of at least twice the distance and being separated from one of the first non-mandrel regions by a second spacer.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for an assisted metal routing is disclosed. Embodiments may include: determining an initial block mask having a first inner vertex for forming a metal routing layer of an integrated circuit (IC); adding an assistant metal portion within the metal routing layer; and determining a modified block mask based on the assistant metal portion for forming the metal routing layer.
Abstract:
A methodology for a modified cell architecture and the resulting devices are disclosed. Embodiments may include determining a first vertical track spacing for a plurality of first routes for an integrated circuit (IC) design, each of the plurality of first routes having a first width, determining a second vertical track spacing for a second route for the IC design, the second route having a second width, and designating a cell vertical dimension for the IC design based on the first and second vertical track spacings.
Abstract:
A method is provided for fabricating cross-coupled line segments on a wafer for use, for instance, in fabricating cross-coupled gates of two or more transistors. The fabricating includes: patterning a first line segment with a first side projection using a first mask; and patterning a second line segment with a second side projection using a second mask. The second line segment is offset from the first line segment, and the patterned second side projection overlies the patterned first side projection, and facilitates defining a cross-stitch segment connecting the first and second line segments. The method further includes selectively cutting the first and second line segments in defining the cross-coupled line segments from the first and second line segments and the cross-stitch segment.
Abstract:
An approach for providing MOL constructs using diffusion contact structures is disclosed. Embodiments include: providing a first diffusion region in a substrate; providing, via a first lithography process, a first diffusion contact structure; providing, via a second lithography process, a second diffusion contact structure; and coupling the first diffusion contact structure to the first diffusion region and the second diffusion contact structure. Embodiments include: providing a second diffusion region in the substrate; providing a diffusion gap region between the first and second diffusion regions; providing the diffusion contact structure over the diffusion gap region; and coupling, via the diffusion contact structure, the first and second diffusion regions.
Abstract:
A method for efficient off-track routing and the resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments include: providing a hardmask on a substrate; providing a plurality of first mandrels on the hardmask; providing a first spacer on each side of each of the first mandrels; providing a plurality of first non-mandrel regions of the substrate being separated from the first mandrels and between two of the first spacers, each of the first mandrels, first non-mandrel regions, and first spacers having a width equal to a distance; and providing a second mandrel having a width of at least twice the distance and being separated from one of the first non-mandrel regions by a second spacer.