Methods for performing model-based lithography guided layout design
First Claim
1. A method of determining a location of one or more features within a mask layout of a device manufacturing process involving—
- lithography, the method comprising;
performing, by a hardware computer, a simulation involving the mask layout based on a placement of a first feature in the mask layout, wherein performing the simulation includes generating a SRAF guidance map that is a two-dimensional set of values respectively corresponding to points in the mask layout; and
determining a location for placing a second feature in the mask layout based on the two-dimensional set of values respectively corresponding to points in the mask layout, wherein the determined location comprises one or more of the points.
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Abstract
Methods are disclosed to create efficient model-based Sub-Resolution Assist Features (MB-SRAF). An SRAF guidance map is created, where each design target edge location votes for a given field point on whether a single-pixel SRAF placed on this field point would improve or degrade the aerial image over the process window. In one embodiment, the SRAF guidance map is used to determine SRAF placement rules and/or to fine-tune already-placed SRAFs. The SRAF guidance map can be used directly to place SRAFs in a mask layout. Mask layout data including SRAFs may be generated, wherein the SRAFs are placed according to the SRAF guidance map. The SRAF guidance map can comprise an image in which each pixel value indicates whether the pixel would contribute positively to edge behavior of features in the mask layout if the pixel is included as part of a sub-resolution assist feature.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of determining a location of one or more features within a mask layout of a device manufacturing process involving—
- lithography, the method comprising;
performing, by a hardware computer, a simulation involving the mask layout based on a placement of a first feature in the mask layout, wherein performing the simulation includes generating a SRAF guidance map that is a two-dimensional set of values respectively corresponding to points in the mask layout; and determining a location for placing a second feature in the mask layout based on the two-dimensional set of values respectively corresponding to points in the mask layout, wherein the determined location comprises one or more of the points. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- lithography, the method comprising;
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9. A method of placing a plurality of features of a design layout into a mask layout of a device manufacturing process involving lithography, the method comprising:
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placing a first one of the plurality of features from the design layout in the mask layout; generating, using a computer simulation performed by a hardware computer, a two-dimensional set of values respectively corresponding to points in the mask layout based on the placement of the first feature; and determining a location for placing a second different one of the plurality of features from the design layout in the mask layout based on the two-dimensional set of values respectively corresponding to points in the mask layout, wherein the determined location comprises one or more of the points. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions configured to, when executed on a computing device:
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perform simulation involving a mask layout of a device manufacturing process involving lithography, based on a placement of a first feature in the mask layout, wherein performance of the simulation includes generation of a SRAF guidance map that is a two-dimensional set of values respectively corresponding to points in the mask layout; and determine a location for placing a second feature in the mask layout based on the two-dimensional set of values respectively corresponding to points in the mask layout, wherein the determined location comprises one or more of the points.
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19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions configured to, when executed on a computing device:
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generate, using a computer simulation, a two-dimensional set of values respectively corresponding to points in a mask layout of a device manufacturing process involving lithography, based on a placement of a first one of the plurality of features from a design layout in the mask layout; and determine a location for placing a second different one of the plurality of features from the design layout in the mask layout based on the two-dimensional set of values respectively corresponding to points in the mask layout, wherein the determined location comprises one or more of the points. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification