Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an underlying structure is formed over a substrate. A film is formed over the underlying structure. Surface topography of the film is measured and the surface topography is stored as topography data. A local etching is performed by using directional etching and scanning the substrate so that an entire surface of the film is subjected to the directional etching. A plasma beam intensity of the directional etching is adjusted according to the topography data.

Abstract: A method of depositing a material on one of two, but not both, sidewalls of a raised structure formed on a substrate includes tilting a normal of the substrate away from a source of the deposition material or tilting the source of the deposition material away from the normal of the substrate. The method may be implemented by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique.

Abstract: A method of performing a lithography process includes providing a test pattern. The test pattern includes a first set of lines arranged at a first pitch, a second set of lines arranged at the first pitch, and further includes at least one reference line between the first set of lines and the second set of lines. The test pattern is exposed with a radiation source providing an asymmetric, monopole illumination profile to form a test pattern structure on a substrate. The test pattern structure is then measured and a measured distance correlated to an offset of a lithography parameter. A lithography process is adjusted based on the offset of the lithography parameter.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an underlying structure is formed over a substrate. A film is formed over the underlying structure. Surface topography of the film is measured and the surface topography is stored as topography data. A local etching is performed by using directional etching and scanning the substrate so that an entire surface of the film is subjected to the directional etching. A plasma beam intensity of the directional etching is adjusted according to the topography data.

Abstract: A method of defining a pattern includes forming a plurality of cut shapes and a first plurality of openings within a first layer of a multi-layer hard mask to expose first portions of the second layer. A plurality of etch stops is formed by implanting an etch rate modifying species in a portion of the plurality of cut shapes. The first layer is directionally etched at the plurality of cut shapes such that the plurality of etch stops remain. A spacer layer is formed on the first layer and the first portions. A second plurality of openings is formed within the spacer layer to expose second portions of the second layer. The spacer layer is directionally etched to remove the spacer layer from sidewalls of the plurality of etch stops. Portions of the second layer exposed through the first plurality of openings and the second plurality of openings are etched.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming an alignment mark in a material layer, wherein the alignment mark has a step sidewall in the material layer, and the step sidewall of the alignment mark has a floor surface portion; forming a feature material over the material layer; and performing a planarization process at least on the feature material, wherein the planarization process stops at a level higher than the floor surface portion of the step sidewall of the alignment mark.

Abstract: A method of depositing a material on one of two, but not both, sidewalls of a raised structure formed on a substrate includes tilting a normal of the substrate away from a source of the deposition material or tilting the source of the deposition material away from the normal of the substrate. The method may be implemented by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes obtaining a pattern density of an integrated circuit (IC) design layout; adjusting a density of an alignment mark pattern of the IC design layout according to the pattern density; and patterning a material layer according to the IC design layout after adjusting the density of the alignment mark pattern.

Abstract: A method of defining a pattern-includes forming a plurality of cut shapes and a first plurality of openings within a first layer of a multi-layer hard mask to expose first portions of the second layer. A plurality of etch stops is formed by implanting an etch rate modifying species in a portion of the plurality of cut shapes. The first layer is directionally etched at the plurality of cut shapes such that the plurality of etch stops remain. A spacer layer is formed on the first layer and the first portions. A second plurality of openings is formed within the spacer layer to expose second portions of the second layer. The spacer layer is directionally etched to remove the spacer layer from sidewalls of the plurality of etch stops. Portions of the second layer exposed through the first plurality of openings and the second plurality of openings are etched.

Abstract: A method of performing a lithography process includes providing a test pattern. The test pattern includes a first set of lines arranged at a first pitch, a second set of lines arranged at the first pitch, and further includes at least one reference line between the first set of lines and the second set of lines. The test pattern is exposed with a radiation source providing an asymmetric, monopole illumination profile to form a test pattern structure on a substrate. The test pattern structure is then measured and a measured distance correlated to an offset of a lithography parameter. A lithography process is adjusted based on the offset of the lithography parameter.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including operations of forming a first hard mask over an underlying layer on a substrate by a photolithographic and etching method, forming a sidewall spacer pattern having a first sidewall portion and a second sidewall portion on opposing sides of the first hard mask, etching the first sidewall portion, etching the first hard mask and leaving the second sidewall portion bridging a gap of the etched first hard mask, and processing the underlying layer using the second hard mask.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including operations of forming a first hard mask over an underlying layer on a substrate by a photolithographic and etching method, forming a sidewall spacer pattern having a first sidewall portion and a second sidewall portion on opposing sides of the first hard mask, etching the first sidewall portion, etching the first hard mask and leaving the second sidewall portion bridging a gap of the etched first hard mask, and processing the underlying layer using the second hard mask.

Abstract: A method of performing a lithography process includes providing a test pattern. The test pattern includes a first set of lines arranged at a first pitch, a second set of lines arranged at the first pitch, and further includes at least one reference line between the first set of lines and the second set of lines. The test pattern is exposed with a radiation source providing an asymmetric, monopole illumination profile to form a test pattern structure on a substrate. The test pattern structure is then measured and a measured distance correlated to an offset of a lithography parameter. A lithography process is adjusted based on the offset of the lithography parameter.

Abstract: A method of defining a pattern-includes forming a plurality of cut shapes and a first plurality of openings within a first layer of a multi-layer hard mask to expose first portions of the second layer. A plurality of etch stops is formed by implanting an etch rate modifying species in a portion of the plurality of cut shapes. The first layer is directionally etched at the plurality of cut shapes such that the plurality of etch stops remain. A spacer layer is formed on the first layer and the first portions. A second plurality of openings is formed within the spacer layer to expose second portions of the second layer. The spacer layer is directionally etched to remove the spacer layer from sidewalls of the plurality of etch stops. Portions of the second layer exposed through the first plurality of openings and the second plurality of openings are etched.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes obtaining a pattern density of an integrated circuit (IC) design layout; adjusting a density of an alignment mark pattern of the IC design layout according to the pattern density; and patterning a material layer according to the IC design layout after adjusting the density of the alignment mark pattern.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an underlying structure is formed over a substrate. A film is formed over the underlying structure. Surface topography of the film is measured and the surface topography is stored as topography data. A local etching is performed by using directional etching and scanning the substrate so that an entire surface of the film is subjected to the directional etching. A plasma beam intensity of the directional etching is adjusted according to the topography data.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a hard mask layer over a substrate. A multi-layer resist is formed over the hard mask layer. The multi-layer resist is etched to form a plurality of openings in the multi-layer resist to expose a portion of the hard mask layer. Ion are directionally provided at an angle to the multi-layer resist to predominately contact sidewalls of the plurality of openings in the multi-layer resist rather than the hard mask layer. In one embodiment, the multi-layer resist is directionally etched by directing etch ions at an angle to predominately contact sidewalls of the plurality of openings in the multi-layer resist rather than the hard mask layer. In another embodiment, the multi-layer resist is directionally implanted by directing implant ions at an angle to predominately contact sidewalls of the plurality of openings in the multi-layer resist rather than the hard mask layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a hard mask layer over a substrate. A multi-layer resist is formed over the hard mask layer. The multi-layer resist is etched to form a plurality of openings in the multi-layer resist to expose a portion of the hard mask layer. Ion are directionally provided at an angle to the multi-layer resist to predominately contact sidewalls of the plurality of openings in the multi-layer resist rather than the hard mask layer. In one embodiment, the multi-layer resist is directionally etched by directing etch ions at an angle to predominately contact sidewalls of the plurality of openings in the multi-layer resist rather than the hard mask layer. In another embodiment, the multi-layer resist is directionally implanted by directing implant ions at an angle to predominately contact sidewalls of the plurality of openings in the multi-layer resist rather than the hard mask layer.

Abstract: A method of depositing a material on one of two, but not both, sidewalls of a raised structure formed on a substrate includes tilting a normal of the substrate away from a source of the deposition material or tilting the source of the deposition material away from the normal of the substrate. The method may be implemented by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a hard mask layer over a substrate. A multi-layer resist is formed over the hard mask layer. The multi-layer resist is etched to form a plurality of openings in the multi-layer resist to expose a portion of the hard mask layer. Ion are directionally provided at an angle to the multi-layer resist to predominately contact sidewalls of the plurality of openings in the multi-layer resist rather than the hard mask layer. In one embodiment, the multi-layer resist is directionally etched by directing etch ions at an angle to predominately contact sidewalls of the plurality of openings in the multi-layer resist rather than the hard mask layer. In another embodiment, the multi-layer resist is directionally implanted by directing implant ions at an angle to predominately contact sidewalls of the plurality of openings in the multi-layer resist rather than the hard mask layer.