Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of improving pattern density with a low OPC (optical proximity correction) cycle time, and an associated apparatus. In some embodiments, the method is performed by forming an integrated chip (IC) design that is a graphical representation of an integrated chip. One or more low-pattern-density areas of the IC design are identified having a pattern density that results in a processing failure. The low-pattern-density areas are a subset of the IC design. The pattern density is adjusted within the low-pattern-density area by adding one or more dummy shapes within the low-pattern-density areas. A data preparation process is then performed on the IC design to modify shapes of the one or more dummy shapes within the low-pattern-density areas. By introducing dummy shapes into a local area, rather than into an entire integrated chip design, the demands of the subsequent data preparation process are reduced.

Abstract: A method for performing optical proximity correction (OPC) and evaluating OPC solutions is disclosed. An exemplary method includes receiving a design database corresponding to an IC circuit mask. A first OPC modification to a mask feature of the design database is made by performing a first OPC process. The OPC process includes: dividing the mask feature into child shapes and adjusting an attribute of a child shape based on an edge placement error (EPE) factor. A first lithography simulation is performed utilizing a first set of performance indexes after making the first OPC modification, and a second OPC modification to the mask feature is made based on a result of the first lithography simulation. A second lithography simulation of the mask feature is performed utilizing a second set of performance indexes to verify the first and second OPC modifications, and the design database is provided for manufacturing.

Abstract: Provided is an integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing method. The method includes receiving an IC design layout, wherein the IC design layout includes multiple IC regions and each of the IC regions includes an initial IC pattern. The method further includes performing a correction process to a first IC region, thereby modifying the initial IC pattern in the first IC region to result in a first corrected IC pattern in the first IC region, wherein the correction process includes location effect correction. The method further includes replacing the initial IC pattern in a second IC region with the first corrected IC pattern.

Abstract: Provided is an integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing method. The method includes receiving a design layout of an IC, wherein the design layout includes a plurality of non-overlapping IC regions and each of the IC regions includes a same initial IC pattern. The method further includes dividing the IC regions into a plurality of groups based on a location effect analysis such that all IC regions in a respective one of the groups are to have substantially same location effect. The method further includes performing a correction to one IC region in each of the groups using a correction model that includes location effect; and copying the corrected IC region to other IC regions in the respective group. The method further includes storing the corrected IC design layout in a tangible computer-readable medium for use by a further IC process stage.

Abstract: Provided is an integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing method. The method includes receiving a design layout of an IC, wherein the design layout includes a plurality of non-overlapping IC regions and each of the IC regions includes a same initial IC pattern. The method further includes dividing the IC regions into a plurality of groups based on a location effect analysis such that all IC regions in a respective one of the groups are to have substantially same location effect. The method further includes performing a correction to one IC region in each of the groups using a correction model that includes location effect; and copying the corrected IC region to other IC regions in the respective group. The method further includes storing the corrected IC design layout in a tangible computer-readable medium for use by a further IC process stage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of integrated chip (IC) design pattern correction that reduces pattern correction cycle time by separately correcting main feature shapes and dummy shapes of the IC design, and an associated apparatus. In some embodiments, the method is performed by forming an IC design having a plurality of main feature shapes. A plurality of dummy shapes are added to the IC design to improve a process window of the IC design. The plurality of main feature shapes are corrected using a first pattern correction process. One or more of the plurality of dummy shapes are subsequently corrected using a second pattern correction process separate from the first pattern correction process. By separately correcting dummy shapes and main feature shapes, the dummy shapes can be subjected to a different pattern correction process having lower time/resource demands, thereby reducing the pattern correction cycle time.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of integrated chip (IC) design pattern correction that reduces pattern correction cycle time by separately correcting main feature shapes and dummy shapes of the IC design, and an associated apparatus. In some embodiments, the method is performed by forming an IC design having a plurality of main feature shapes. A plurality of dummy shapes are added to the IC design to improve a process window of the IC design. The plurality of main feature shapes are corrected using a first pattern correction process. One or more of the plurality of dummy shapes are subsequently corrected using a second pattern correction process separate from the first pattern correction process. By separately correcting dummy shapes and main feature shapes, the dummy shapes can be subjected to a different pattern correction process having lower time/resource demands, thereby reducing the pattern correction cycle time.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of improving pattern density with a low OPC (optical proximity correction) cycle time, and an associated apparatus. In some embodiments, the method is performed by forming an integrated chip (IC) design that is a graphical representation of an integrated chip. One or more low-pattern-density areas of the IC design are identified having a pattern density that results in a processing failure. The low-pattern-density areas are a subset of the IC design. The pattern density is adjusted within the low-pattern-density area by adding one or more dummy shapes within the low-pattern-density areas. A data preparation process is then performed on the IC design to modify shapes of the one or more dummy shapes within the low-pattern-density areas. By introducing dummy shapes into a local area, rather than into an entire integrated chip design, the demands of the subsequent data preparation process are reduced.

Abstract: A method for performing optical proximity correction (OPC) and evaluating OPC solutions is disclosed. An exemplary method includes receiving a design database corresponding to an IC circuit mask. A first OPC modification to a mask feature of the design database is made by performing a first OPC process. The OPC process includes: dividing the mask feature into child shapes and adjusting an attribute of a child shape based on an edge placement error (EPE) factor. A first lithography simulation is performed utilizing a first set of performance indexes after making the first OPC modification, and a second OPC modification to the mask feature is made based on a result of the first lithography simulation. A second lithography simulation of the mask feature is performed utilizing a second set of performance indexes to verify the first and second OPC modifications, and the design database is provided for manufacturing.

Abstract: Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing an integrated circuit layout plan, the integrated circuit layout plan containing a plurality of semiconductor features. The method includes selecting a subset of the features for decomposition as part of a double patterning process. The method includes designating a relationship between at least a first feature and a second feature of the subset of the features. The relationship dictates whether the first and second features are assigned to a same photomask or separate photomasks. The designating is carried out using a pseudo feature that is part of the layout plan but does not appear on a photomask. The method may further include a double patterning conflict check process, which may include an odd-loop check process.

Abstract: A method for performing OPC and evaluating OPC solutions is disclosed. An exemplary method includes receiving a design database corresponding to an IC circuit mask. A first lithography simulation and evaluation is performed on the design database utilizing a first set of performance indexes. A modification is made to the design database based on a result of performing the first lithography simulation and evaluation. A second lithography simulation and evaluation is performed on the design database utilizing a second set of performance indexes to verify the modification. If necessary, the design database is modified again based on a result of the second lithography simulation and evaluation. The modified design database is provided to a mask manufacturer for manufacturing the mask corresponding to the modified design database.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of an integrated circuit (IC) method. The method includes receiving an IC design layout having a plurality of IC regions each including an IC pattern; performing a dissection process to the IC design layout; and performing a correction process to the IC design layout using a correction model that includes proximity effect and location effect. The correction process includes performing a first correction step to a first IC region of the IC regions, resulting in a first corrected IC pattern in the first IC region; and performing a second correction step to a second IC region of the IC regions, starting with the first corrected IC pattern, resulting in a second corrected IC pattern.

Abstract: A method for performing OPC and evaluating OPC solutions is disclosed. An exemplary method includes receiving a design database corresponding to an IC circuit mask. A first lithography simulation and evaluation is performed on the design database utilizing a first set of performance indexes. A modification is made to the design database based on a result of performing the first lithography simulation and evaluation. A second lithography simulation and evaluation is performed on the design database utilizing a second set of performance indexes to verify the modification. If necessary, the design database is modified again based on a result of the second lithography simulation and evaluation. The modified design database is provided to a mask manufacturer for manufacturing the mask corresponding to the modified design database.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of an integrated circuit (IC) method. The method includes receiving an IC design layout having a plurality of IC regions each including an IC pattern; performing a dissection process to the IC design layout; and performing a correction process to the IC design layout using a correction model that includes proximity effect and location effect. The correction process includes performing a first correction step to a first IC region of the IC regions, resulting in a first corrected IC pattern in the first IC region; and performing a second correction step to a second IC region of the IC regions, starting with the first corrected IC pattern, resulting in a second corrected IC pattern.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of an integrated circuit (IC) method. The method includes receiving an IC design layout having an main feature, the main feature including two corners and an edge spanning between the two corners; performing a feature adjustment to the edge; performing a dissection to the edge such that the edge is divided to include two corner segments and one center segment between the two corner segments; performing a first optical proximity correction (OPC) to the main feature for a center target associated with the center segment; thereafter, performing a second OPC to the main feature for two corner targets associated with the corner segments; and thereafter, performing a third OPC to main feature for the center target, resulting in a modified design layout.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of an integrated circuit (IC) method. The method includes receiving an IC design layout having an main feature, the main feature including two corners and an edge spanning between the two corners; performing a feature adjustment to the edge; performing a dissection to the edge such that the edge is divided to include two corner segments and one center segment between the two corner segments; performing a first optical proximity correction (OPC) to the main feature for a center target associated with the center segment; thereafter, performing a second OPC to the main feature for two corner targets associated with the corner segments; and thereafter, performing a third OPC to main feature for the center target, resulting in a modified design layout.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device. The apparatus includes a first photomask and a second photomask. The first photomask has a plurality of first features thereon, and the first photomask having a first global pattern density. The second photomask has a plurality of second features thereon, and the second photomask has a second global pattern density. The plurality of first and second features collectively define a layout image of a layer of the semiconductor device. The first and second global pattern densities have a predetermined ratio.

Abstract: A method for writing a design to a material using an electron beam includes assigning a first dosage to a first polygonal shape. The first polygonal shape occupies a first virtual layer and includes a first set of pixels. The method also includes simulating a first write operation using the first polygonal shape to create the design, discerning an error in the simulated first write operation, and assigning a second dosage to a second polygonal shape to reduce the error. The second polygonal shape occupies a second virtual layer. The method further includes creating a data structure that includes the first and second polygonal shapes and saving the data structure to a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of an integrated circuit (IC) design method. The method includes receiving an IC design layout having a plurality of main features; applying a main feature dissection to the main features of the IC design layout and generating sub-portions of the main features; performing an optical proximity correction (OPC) to the main features; performing a mask rule check (MRC) to a main feature of the IC design layout; and modifying one of the sub-portions of the main feature if the main feature fails the MRC.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) design method providing a circuit design layout having a plurality of functional blocks disposed a distance away from each other; identifying a local pattern density to an approximate dummy region, on the circuit design layout, within a predefined distance to one of the functional blocks; performing a local dummy insertion to the approximate dummy region according to the local pattern density; repeating the identifying and performing to at least some other of the functional blocks; and implementing a global dummy insertion to a non-local dummy region according to a global pattern density.