Patent ID: 6823503
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: G03F,G06F,Y02P

Abstract:
A method for creating a phase-shifting mask for a photolithographic process used in fabricating an integrated circuit, comprising:receiving a layout for the integrated circuit; associating nodes with features in the layout, wherein associating nodes with feature in the layout involves: decomposing the layout into a plurality of edges, and creating zero or more nodes for each edge in the plurality of edges; generating arcs between the nodes, wherein generating arcs between the nodes involves assigning weights to arcs based upon the sizes and geometries of features associated with the nodes, wherein arcs that connect nodes on opposite edges of a long, narrow feature are assigned a high weight, arcs across wider features and shorter features are assigned lower weights, and arcs between other nodes are assigned a lowest weight; coloring the nodes using two colors; and generating phase shifters for the phase-shifting mask and assigning different phases to the phase shifters based upon the coloring of the nodes.