Abstract:
Some embodiments include methods of forming patterns. A semiconductor substrate is formed to comprise an electrically insulative material over a set of electrically conductive structures. An interconnect region is defined across the electrically conductive structures, and regions on opposing sides of the interconnect region are defined as secondary regions. A two-dimensional array of features is formed over the electrically insulative material. The two-dimensional array extends across the interconnect region and across the secondary regions. A pattern of the two-dimensional array is transferred through the electrically insulative material of the interconnect region to form contact openings that extend through the electrically insulative material and to the electrically conductive structures, and no portions of the two-dimensional array of the secondary regions is transferred into the electrically insulative material.
Abstract:
An imaging device comprising a first region and a second region. Imaging features in the first region and assist features in the second region are substantially the same size as one another and are formed substantially on pitch. Methods of forming an imaging device and methods of forming a semiconductor device structure are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Some embodiments include a semiconductor package. The semiconductor package has a semiconductor die with a primary region which includes integrated circuitry, and with an edge region which includes a portion of an alignment mark location. The portion of the alignment mark location includes a segment of an alignment mark. The alignment mark includes a pattern of lines and spaces, with the lines extending along a first direction. The portion of the alignment mark location also includes a texture having a pattern other than lines extending along either the first direction or along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. Some embodiments include methods for alignment marking semiconductor wafers.
Abstract:
Some embodiments include a semiconductor construction having a pair of lines extending primarily along a first direction, and having a pair of contacts between the lines. The contacts are spaced from one another by a lithographic dimension, and are spaced from the lines by sub-lithographic dimensions. Some embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor construction. Features are formed over a base. Each feature has a first type sidewall and a second type sidewall. The features are spaced from one another by gaps. Some of the gaps are first type gaps between first type sidewalls, and others of the gaps are second type gaps between second type sidewalls. Masking material is formed to selectively fill the first type gaps relative to the second type gaps. Excess masking material is removed to leave a patterned mask. A pattern is transferred from the patterned mask into the base.
Abstract:
Methods of lithography, methods for forming patterning tools, and patterning tools are described. One such patterning tool include an active region that forms a first diffraction image on a lens when in use, and an inactive region that forms a second diffraction image on a lens when in use. The inactive region includes a pattern of phase shifting features formed in a substantially transparent material of the patterning tool. Patterning tools and methods, as described, can be used to compensate for lens distortion from effects such as localized heating.
Abstract:
A method of forming an overlay alignment mark in the fabrication of integrated circuitry comprises forming a first series of periodically-horizontally-spaced lower first features on a substrate. A second series of periodically-horizontally-spaced upper second features is formed directly above the first series of the lower first features. Individual of the upper second features are directly above and cover at least a portion of individual of the lower first features in a first horizontal area of the substrate. Individual of the upper second features are not directly above and are not covering any portion of the individual lower first features in a second horizontal area of the substrate that is horizontally adjacent the first horizontal area. Other methods, and structure independent of method, are disclosed.
Abstract:
Some embodiments include a semiconductor package. The semiconductor package has a semiconductor die with a primary region which includes integrated circuitry, and with an edge region which includes a portion of an alignment mark location. The portion of the alignment mark location includes a segment of an alignment mark. The alignment mark includes a pattern of lines and spaces, with the lines extending along a first direction. The portion of the alignment mark location also includes a texture having a pattern other than lines extending along either the first direction or along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. Some embodiments include methods for alignment marking semiconductor wafers.
Abstract:
A method of mitigating asymmetric lens heating in photolithographically patterning a photo-imageable material using a reticle includes determining where first hot spot locations are expected to occur on a lens when using a reticle to pattern a photo-imageable material. The reticle is then fabricated to include non-printing features within a non-printing region of the reticle which generate additional hot spot locations on the lens when using the reticle to pattern the photo-imageable material. Other implementations are contemplated, including reticles which may be independent of method of use or fabrication.
Abstract:
Some embodiments include a semiconductor package. The semiconductor package has a semiconductor die with a primary region which includes integrated circuitry, and with an edge region which includes a portion of an alignment mark location. The portion of the alignment mark location includes a segment of an alignment mark. The alignment mark includes a pattern of lines and spaces, with the lines extending along a first direction. The portion of the alignment mark location also includes a texture having a pattern other than lines extending along either the first direction or along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. Some embodiments include methods for alignment marking semiconductor wafers.
Abstract:
Methods of lithography, methods for forming patterning tools, and patterning tools are described. One such patterning tool include an active region that forms a first diffraction image on a lens when in use, and an inactive region that forms a second diffraction image on a lens when in use. The inactive region includes a pattern of phase shifting features formed in a substantially transparent material of the patterning tool. Patterning tools and methods, as described, can be used to compensate for lens distortion from effects such as localized heating.