Patent assignee · NL · COMPANY

ASML Masktools B.V.

88Patents
53Active
88Granted
44Portfolio score

Filing activity: Dec 6, 2000 → Mar 5, 2013 · 45 expiring within 5 years

Most-cited patents

PatentTitleAreaCited byStatus
US7175940B2 Method of two dimensional feature model calibration and optimization Physics 264 Expired
US6553562B2 Method and apparatus for generating masks utilized in conjunction with dipole illumination techniques Physics 192 Expired
US6792591B2 Method of identifying an extreme interaction pitch region, methods of designing mask patterns and manufacturing masks, device manufacturing methods and computer programs Physics 133 Expired
US6881523B2 Optical proximity correction method utilizing ruled ladder bars as sub-resolution assist features Physics 112 Expired
US6738859B2 Method and apparatus for fast aerial image simulation Physics 46 Expired
US6753954B2 Method and apparatus for detecting aberrations in a projection lens utilized for projection optics Physics 42 Expired
US6788400B2 Method and apparatus for detecting aberrations in an optical system Physics 39 Expired
US7247574B2 Method and apparatus for providing optical proximity features to a reticle pattern for deep sub-wavelength optical lithography Physics 32 Expired
US6519760B2 Method and apparatus for minimizing optical proximity effects Physics 30 Expired
US6851103B2 Method and apparatus for decomposing semiconductor device patterns into phase and chrome regions for chromeless phase lithography Physics 26 Expired
US8050898B2 Method, program product and apparatus for predicting line width roughness and resist pattern failure and the use thereof in a lithography simulation process Physics 25 Active
US7242459B2 Method of predicting and minimizing model OPC deviation due to mix/match of exposure tools using a calibrated Eigen decomposition model Physics 22 Expired
US7138212B2 Method and apparatus for performing model-based layout conversion for use with dipole illumination Physics 22 Expired
US7246342B2 Orientation dependent shielding for use with dipole illumination techniques Physics 22 Expired
US8111921B2 Method and apparatus for performing model-based OPC for pattern decomposed features Physics 19 Active
US7550235B2 Method and apparatus for performing model based placement of phase-balanced scattering bars for sub-wavelength optical lithography Physics 18 Active
US7355673B2 Method, program product and apparatus of simultaneous optimization for NA-Sigma exposure settings and scattering bars OPC using a device layout Physics 18 Expired
US6915505B2 Method and apparatus for performing rule-based gate shrink utilizing dipole illumination Physics 18 Expired
US7116411B2 Method of performing resist process calibration/optimization and DOE optimization for providing OPE matching between different lithography systems Physics 17 Expired
US7342646B2 Method of manufacturing reliability checking and verification for lithography process using a calibrated eigen decomposition model Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies 16 Expired
US6875545B2 Method of removing assist features utilized to improve process latitude Physics 15 Expired
US7292315B2 Optimized polarization illumination Physics 15 Expired
US7864301B2 Source and mask optimization by changing intensity and shape of the illumination source Physics 14 Active
US7231629B2 Feature optimization using enhanced interference mapping lithography Physics 14 Expired
US7620930B2 Method, program product and apparatus for model based scattering bar placement for enhanced depth of focus in quarter-wavelength lithography Physics 13 Active

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Counts and citation impact are objective bibliographic measures.