Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit (IC) includes receiving a design layout of the IC, wherein the design layout includes two abutting blocks, the two blocks include target patterns, and the target patterns have different pitches in the two blocks. The method further includes generating mandrel pattern candidates in spaces between adjacent target patterns, and assigning first and second colors to the mandrel pattern candidates according to their priorities. The method further includes removing the mandrel pattern candidates assigned with the second color, and outputting a mandrel pattern in computer-readable format for mask fabrication. The mandrel pattern includes the mandrel pattern candidates that are colored with the first color.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit (IC) includes receiving a design layout of the IC, wherein the design layout includes two abutting blocks, the two blocks include target patterns, and the target patterns have different pitches in the two blocks. The method further includes generating mandrel pattern candidates in spaces between adjacent target patterns, and assigning first and second colors to the mandrel pattern candidates according to their priorities. The method further includes removing the mandrel pattern candidates assigned with the second color, and outputting a mandrel pattern in computer-readable format for mask fabrication. The mandrel pattern includes the mandrel pattern candidates that are colored with the first color.

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: 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: A method of determining whether a layout is colorable includes assigning nodes to polygon features of the layout. The method includes designating nodes as being adjacent nodes for nodes separated by less than a minimum pitch. The method includes iteratively removing nodes having less than three adjacent nodes from consideration to identify a node arrangement, wherein all nodes in the node arrangement have at least three adjacent nodes. The method includes determining whether the layout is colorable based on the node arrangement. Determining whether the layout is colorable includes independently assessing each internal node of node arrangement to determine whether each internal node of the node arrangement is colorable. The method includes generating a colored layout design for fabrication of the semiconductor device if each internal node of the node arrangement is colorable; and modifying the layout if at least one internal node of the node arrangement is not colorable.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a layout is colorable includes assigning nodes to polygon features of the layout. The method includes designating nodes as being adjacent nodes for nodes separated by less than a minimum pitch. The method includes iteratively removing nodes having less than three adjacent nodes from consideration to identify a node arrangement, wherein all nodes in the node arrangement have at least three adjacent nodes. The method includes determining whether the layout is colorable based on the node arrangement. Determining whether the layout is colorable includes independently assessing each internal node of node arrangement to determine whether each internal node of the node arrangement is colorable. The method includes generating a colored layout design for fabrication of the semiconductor device if each internal node of the node arrangement is colorable; and modifying the layout if at least one internal node of the node arrangement is not colorable.

Abstract: Methods and systems for design of integrated circuits including performing OPC are discussed. In one embodiment, design data having a geometric feature is provided. A base feature is formed from the geometric feature, which has a substantially linear edge. A pseudo dissection point is determined on the base feature. Add or trim a polygon from the base feature to form a modified feature. An OPC process is performed on the modified feature to generate an output design. The output design is used to fabricate a semiconductor device on a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A system and method of decomposing a single photoresist mask pattern to three photoresist mask patterns. The system and method assign nodes to polygon features on the single photoresist mask pattern, designate nodes as being adjacent nodes for those nodes that are less than a predetermined distance apart, iteratively remove nodes having 2 or less adjacent nodes until no nodes having 2 or less adjacent nodes remain, identify one or more internal nodes, map photoresist mask pattern designations (colors) to the internal nodes, and replace and map a color to each of the nodes removed by the temporarily removing nodes, such that each node does not have an adjacent node of the same color.

Abstract: A method performed by a computer processing system includes receiving a design pattern for an integrated circuit, applying a function to the design pattern to generate a model contour, generating a plurality of Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) target points along the model contour, adjusting the design pattern to create an adjusted pattern, and performing a simulation on the adjusted pattern to create a simulated contour.

Abstract: Methods and systems for design of integrated circuits including performing OPC are discussed. In one embodiment, design data having a geometric feature is provided. A base feature is formed from the geometric feature, which has a substantially linear edge. A pseudo dissection point is determined on the base feature. Add or trim a polygon from the base feature to form a modified feature. An OPC process is performed on the modified feature to generate an output design. The output design is used to fabricate a semiconductor device on a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A method performed by a computer processing system includes receiving a design pattern for an integrated circuit, applying a function to the design pattern to generate a model contour, generating a plurality of Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) target points along the model contour, adjusting the design pattern to create an adjusted pattern, and performing a simulation on the adjusted pattern to create a simulated contour.

Abstract: A method of assigning layout patterns includes identifying a first set of layout patterns of a current layout design that is new or has been modified in comparison with a reference layout design. A second set of layout patterns of the current layout design is identified. A member of the second set of layout patterns that is not a member of the first set of layout patterns has a distance, less than a predetermined threshold distance, to at least another member of the second set of layout patterns. A third set of layout patterns is not modified in comparison with the reference layout design. The third set of layout patterns is assigned to a plurality of masks according to the reference pattern-assigning result.

Abstract: A method of assigning layout patterns includes identifying a first set of layout patterns of a current layout design that is new or has been modified in comparison with a reference layout design. A second set of layout patterns of the current layout design is identified. A member of the second set of layout patterns that is not a member of the first set of layout patterns has a distance, less than a predetermined threshold distance, to at least another member of the second set of layout patterns. A third set of layout patterns is not modified in comparison with the reference layout design. The third set of layout patterns is assigned to a plurality of masks according to the reference pattern-assigning result.

Abstract: A system and method of decomposing a single photoresist mask pattern to three photoresist mask patterns. The system and method assign nodes to polygon features on the single photoresist mask pattern, designate nodes as being adjacent nodes for those nodes that are less than a predetermined distance apart, iteratively remove nodes having 2 or less adjacent nodes until no nodes having 2 or less adjacent nodes remain, identify one or more internal nodes, map photoresist mask pattern designations (colors) to the internal nodes, and replace and map a color to each of the nodes removed by the temporarily removing nodes, such that each node does not have an adjacent node of the same color.

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: 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: 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 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: 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.