Abstract: A design methodology for determining a via enclosure rule for use with a self-aligned double pattern (SADP) technique is disclosed. The shape of the block mask serves as a criterion for choosing a via enclosure rule. Different block mask shapes within an integrated circuit design may utilize different rules and provide different margins for via enclosure. A tight via enclosure design rule reduces the margin of a line beyond the via where possible, while a loose via enclosure design rule increases the margin of a line beyond the via where it is beneficial to do so.

Abstract: An approach and apparatus are provided for optimizing and combining different semiconductor technologies into a single graphic data system. Embodiments include generating a planar semiconductor layout design, generating a three-dimensional (e.g., FinFET) semiconductor layout design, and combining the planar design and the FinFET design in a common graphic data system.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device is provided including processing a wafer having a target material, forming a multilevel photoresist structure having a protection layer over the target material, and forming a multilevel recess in the target material with the multilevel photoresist structure.

Abstract: One method disclosed herein includes forming a plurality of source/drain contacts that are conductively coupled to a source/drain region of a plurality of transistor devices, wherein at least one of the source/drain contacts is a local interconnect structure that spans the isolation region and is conductively coupled to a first source/drain region in a first active region and to a second source/drain region in a second active region, and forming a patterned mask layer that covers the first and second active regions and exposes at least a portion of the local interconnect structure positioned above an isolation region that separates the first and second active regions. The method further includes performing an etching process through the patterned mask layer to remove a portion of the local interconnect structure, thereby defining a recess positioned above a remaining portion of the local interconnect structure, and forming an insulating material in the recess.

Abstract: A method for efficient off-track routing and the resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments include: providing a hardmask on a substrate; providing a plurality of first mandrels on the hardmask; providing a first spacer on each side of each of the first mandrels; providing a plurality of first non-mandrel regions of the substrate being separated from the first mandrels and between two of the first spacers, each of the first mandrels, first non-mandrel regions, and first spacers having a width equal to a distance; and providing a second mandrel having a width of at least twice the distance and being separated from one of the first non-mandrel regions by a second spacer.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein involves creating an overall target pattern that includes an odd-jogged feature with a crossover region that connects first and second line portions, wherein the crossover region has a first dimension in a first direction that is greater than a second dimension that is transverse to the first direction, decomposing the overall target pattern into a first sub-target pattern and a second sub-target pattern, wherein each of the sub-target patterns comprise a line portion and a first portion of the crossover region, and generating first and second sets of mask data corresponding to the first and second sub-target patterns, respectively.

Abstract: An approach for providing bit cells with triple patterned metal layer structures is disclosed. Embodiments include: providing, via a first patterning process of a metal layer, a first structure that is a first one of a word line structure, a ground line structure, a power line structure, and a bit line structure; providing, via a second patterning process of the metal layer, a second structure that is different from the first structure and that is a second one of the word line structure, the ground line structure, the power line structure, and the bit line structure; and providing, via a third patterning process of the metal layer, a third structure that is different from the first structure and the second structure, and that is a third one of the word line structure, the ground line structure line, the power line structure, and the bit line structure.

Abstract: A design methodology for determining a via enclosure rule for use with a self-aligned double pattern (SADP) technique is disclosed. The shape of the block mask serves as a criterion for choosing a via enclosure rule. Different block mask shapes within an integrated circuit design may utilize different rules and provide different margins for via enclosure. A tight via enclosure design rule reduces the margin of a line beyond the via where possible, while a loose via enclosure design rule increases the margin of a line beyond the via where it is beneficial to do so.

Abstract: A system and design methodology for performing routing in an integrated circuit design is disclosed. An integrated circuit design is first created using standard cells having metal level 2 (M2) power rails. Routing is performed and power rail current density for the integrated circuit is computed. Standard cells that have power rail current density below a predetermined threshold are replaced with a functionally equivalent standard cell that does not have M2 power rails, and the routing operation is performed again, until the design converges.

Abstract: Fabrication methods for semiconductor device structures are provided. One method for fabricating a semiconductor device structure involves forming a first layer of a first dielectric material overlying a doped region formed in a semiconductor substrate, forming a first conductive contact electrically connected to the doped region within the first layer, forming a dielectric cap on the first conductive contact, forming a second layer of a second dielectric material overlying the dielectric cap and a gate structure overlying the semiconductor substrate, and forming a second conductive contact electrically connected to the gate structure within the second layer.

Abstract: Methodology enabling a generation of fins having a variable fin pitch less than 40 nm, and the resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments include: forming a hardmask on a substrate; providing first and second mandrels on the hardmask; providing a first spacer on each side of each of the first and second mandrels; removing the first and second mandrels; providing, after removal of the first and second mandrels, a second spacer on each side of each of the first spacers; and removing the first spacers.

Abstract: An approach for providing layout designs with via routing structures is disclosed. Embodiments include: providing a gate structure and a diffusion contact on a substrate; providing a gate contact on the gate structure; providing a metal routing structure that does not overlie a portion of the gate contact, the diffusion contact, or a combination thereof; and providing a via routing structure over the portion and under a part of the metal routing structure to couple the gate contact, the diffusion contact, or a combination thereof to the metal routing structure.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. One method includes creating a master pattern layout including first and second adjacent cells. The first adjacent cell has a first border pin with a first routing line. The second adjacent cell has a second border pin with a second routing line. The first and second routing lines overlap to define an edge-edge stitch to couple the first and second border pins. The master pattern layout is decomposed into sub-patterns.

Abstract: An approach for providing cross-coupling-based designs using diffusion contact structures is disclosed. Embodiments include providing first and second gate structures over a substrate; providing a gate cut region across the first gate structure, the second gate structure, or a combination thereof; providing a first gate contact over the first gate structure; providing a second gate contact over the second gate structure; and providing a diffusion contact structure coupling the first gate contact to the second gate contact, the diffusion contact structure having vertices within the gate cut region.

Abstract: A method for enabling jogging functionality in circuit designs utilizing DPT without the need for difficult to implement tools such as stitch-aware routing tools is disclosed. Embodiments include: displaying a user interface for generating an IC having a plurality of masks for a single layer; causing, at least in part, a presentation in the user interface of a cell placement of the IC that includes a filler cell; and designating a portion of the filler cell as a routing zone, the routing zone being configured such that routes placed in the routing zone are decomposable with other routes placed outside the filler cell.

Abstract: A method for enabling functionality in circuit designs utilizing colorless DPT M1 route placement that maintains high routing efficiency and guarantees M1 decomposability of a target pattern and the resulting circuit are disclosed. Embodiments include: determining a boundary abutting first and second cells in an IC; determining a side of a first edge pin in the first cell facing a side of a second edge pin in the second cell; determining a first vertical segment of at least a portion of the side of the first edge pin and a second vertical segment of at least a portion of the side of the second edge pin; designating an area between the first vertical segment and the boundary as a first portion of a routing zone; and designating an area between the second vertical segment and the boundary as a second portion of the routing zone.

Abstract: An approach for providing timing-closed FinFET designs from planar designs is disclosed. Embodiments include: receiving one or more planar cells associated with a planar design; generating an initial FinFET design corresponding to the planar design based on the planar cells and a FinFET model; and processing the initial FinFET design to provide a timing-closed FinFET design. Other embodiments include: determining a race condition associated with a path of the initial FinFET design based on a timing analysis of the initial FinFET design; and increasing delay associated with the path to resolve hold violations associated with the race condition, wherein the processing of the initial FinFET design is based on the delay increase.

Abstract: An approach for providing cross-coupling-based designs using diffusion contact structures is disclosed. Embodiments include providing first and second gate structures over a substrate; providing a gate cut region across the first gate structure, the second gate structure, or a combination thereof; providing a first gate contact over the first gate structure; providing a second gate contact over the second gate structure; and providing a diffusion contact structure coupling the first gate contact to the second gate contact, the diffusion contact structure having vertices within the gate cut region.

Abstract: An approach for providing bit cells with triple patterned metal layer structures is disclosed. Embodiments include: providing, via a first patterning process of a metal layer, a first structure that is a first one of a word line structure, a ground line structure, a power line structure, and a bit line structure; providing, via a second patterning process of the metal layer, a second structure that is different from the first structure and that is a second one of the word line structure, the ground line structure, the power line structure, and the bit line structure; and providing, via a third patterning process of the metal layer, a third structure that is different from the first structure and the second structure, and that is a third one of the word line structure, the ground line structure line, the power line structure, and the bit line structure.

Abstract: A method for enabling functionality in circuit designs utilizing colorless DPT M1 route placement that maintains high routing efficiency and guarantees M1 decomposability of a target pattern and the resulting circuit are disclosed. Embodiments include: determining a boundary abutting first and second cells in an IC; determining a side of a first edge pin in the first cell facing a side of a second edge pin in the second cell; determining a first vertical segment of at least a portion of the side of the first edge pin and a second vertical segment of at least a portion of the side of the second edge pin; designating an area between the first vertical segment and the boundary as a first portion of a routing zone; and designating an area between the second vertical segment and the boundary as a second portion of the routing zone.