Patent ID: 9026957
Filing Date: 2015-05-05
Classification: G03F,G06F

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: receiving design data associated with an integrated circuit device; predicting a thickness of a coating layer based on the design data; generating a gradating pattern based on the predicted thickness; and forming a photomask having the generated gradating pattern, wherein the forming the photomask includes: forming a first region on a transparent substrate of the photomask including a first array of a first plurality of sub-resolution features defined by the generated gradated pattern, wherein the first region blocks a first percentage of an incident radiation and wherein each of the sub-resolution features of the plurality of sub-resolution features is an area of attenuating material surrounded by the transparent substrate, wherein each area of attenuating material includes a single opening in the attenuating material; and forming a second region on the transparent substrate of the photomask including a second array of a second plurality of sub-resolution features defined by the generated gradating pattern, wherein the second region blocks a second percentage of the incident radiation different than the first percentage, and wherein each of the sub-resolution features of the second plurality of sub-resolution features of the second array is an area of attenuating material surrounded by the transparent substrate, wherein each area has a single opening in the attenuating material.