Patent · US Active

Mask making with error recognition

US8555211B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
0References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 9, 2012
Grant dateOct 8, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 9, 2032

Classification

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

Abstract

A method of making a mask includes receiving an IC design layout from a designer, applying an logic operation (LOP) correction, performing an OPC correction, fracturing the modified data into a plurality of main features in an electron beam format, and sending the electron beam format data to a mask writer for a mask fabrication. An XOR operation is implemented into the method to check and verify if a pattern is lost during OPC modification and/or data fracture. A BACKBONE XOR operation is also implemented into the method for a plurality of main features with a critical dimension (CD) size smaller than the max OPC correction to check and verify if a small pattern feature is lost during OPC modification and/or data fracture for 45 nm and beyond semiconductor technologies.

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