Patent ID: 9274410
Filing Date: 2016-03-01
CPC Classification: G03F

Claim Text:
1. A method for generating two mask patterns and corresponding masks for spacer formation using an indirect double patterning process, the method comprising: using a processor of a computer system, accessing a fixed final wafer pattern provided to the computer system; using a processor of a computer system, separating the fixed final wafer pattern into a first layer and a second layer, using the processor of the computer system, identifying areas in the fixed final wafer pattern, generating a template mask pattern for forming spacers on a wafer, forming on a wafer a plurality of spacers using a first mask having the template mask pattern, using the processor of the computer system, generating one of a field mask pattern or a cut mask pattern based on a difference between the plurality of spacers formed on the wafer and the fixed final wafer pattern; forming on the wafer a second mask based on the one of the field mask pattern or the cut mask pattern; and removing portions of the plurality of spacers using the second mask while remaining portions of said plurality of spacers are retained as the features representing the fixed final wafer pattern.