Abstract: An efficient computer implemented method computes critical area for via blocks in Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. The method is incremental and takes advantage of the hierarchy in the design. In order to increase the efficiency further we use the L∞ or the L1 metric instead of the Euclidean geometry.

Abstract: A FET device comprising a semiconductor substrate; diffusion regions in the substrate separated by a channel region; a gate overlapping the channel region and a portion of the diffusion regions and separated from the substrate by a gate dielectric; and a sidewall dielectric on a sidewall of the gate; and a sidewall spacer conductor on the sidewall dielectric contacting one of the diffusion regions but not both of the diffusion regions of one device is provided along with a method for its fabrication. The conductive spacer connects diffusions of adjacent devices that share a common gate electrode.