MODEL-BASED RULE TABLE GENERATION
First Claim
1. A method of semiconductor device fabrication, comprising:
- receiving an integrated circuit (IC) layout pattern;
utilizing a process simulation model configured to simulate processing conditions for the IC layout pattern, generating a second layout pattern by a model-based (MB) mask correction process, wherein the second layout pattern is associated with the IC layout pattern;
generating a third layout pattern that is an approximation of the second layout pattern; and
calculating sub-resolution assist feature (SRAF) rules based on the third layout pattern.
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Abstract
Provided is a method for fabricating a semiconductor device including receiving an integrated circuit (IC) layout pattern, for example, from a design house. In some embodiments, a process simulation model is utilized to generate a freeform layout pattern by an inverse lithography technology (ILT) process. The process simulation model is configured to simulate processing conditions for the IC layout pattern. In various embodiments, the freeform layout pattern is associated with the IC layout pattern. In some examples, a simplified layout pattern is generated, where the simplified layout pattern is an approximation of the freeform layout pattern. Thereafter, sub-resolution assist feature (SRAF) rules, based on the simplified layout pattern, may be calculated and an SRAF rule table may be generated.
24 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of semiconductor device fabrication, comprising:
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receiving an integrated circuit (IC) layout pattern; utilizing a process simulation model configured to simulate processing conditions for the IC layout pattern, generating a second layout pattern by a model-based (MB) mask correction process, wherein the second layout pattern is associated with the IC layout pattern; generating a third layout pattern that is an approximation of the second layout pattern; and calculating sub-resolution assist feature (SRAF) rules based on the third layout pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of semiconductor device fabrication, comprising:
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performing an inverse lithography technology (ILT) process to generate a freeform layout pattern; utilizing a process simulation model, and based on a plurality of manufacturing constraints, determining a simplified layout pattern corresponding to the freeform layout pattern; extracting a plurality of rules from the simplified layout pattern; and generating a rule table based on the extracted plurality of rules. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method, comprising:
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receiving an integrated circuit (IC) design layout; identifying, by a mask design system, at least one layout hotspot in the received IC design layout; generating, by the mask design system, an inverse lithography technology (ILT)-generated layout pattern corresponding to the identified at least one layout hotspot; performing, by the mask design system, a layout simplification process to generate a simplified layout pattern corresponding to the ILT-generated layout pattern; and calculating, by the mask design system, sub-resolution assist feature (SRAF) rules based on the generated simplified layout pattern. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification