Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for performing model based placement of phase-balanced scattering bars for sub-wavelength optical lithography

US7550235B2 · kind B2 · utility

18Cited by
15References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 3, 2004
Grant dateJun 23, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 22, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F1/36
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method of generating a mask design having optical proximity correction features disposed therein. The methods includes the steps of obtaining a desired target pattern having features to be imaged on a substrate; determining a first interference map based on the target pattern, which defines areas of constructive interference between at least one of the features to be imaged and a field area adjacent the at least one feature; placing a first set of assist features having a first phase in the mask design based on the areas of constructive interference defined by the first interference map; determining a second interference map based on the first set of assist features, which defines areas of constructive interference between assist features of the first set of assist features and a field area adjacent at least one of the assist features of the first set of assist features; and placing a second set of assist features having a second phase in the mask design based on the areas of constructive interference defined by the second interference map, wherein the first phase does not equal the second phase.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.