Patent ID: 6492073
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
A method of forming images compensated for line shortening, comprising:providing a mask alignment and projection system; providing a substrate having a layer of resist formed thereon; providing a pattern having pattern elements comprising a number of line segments, wherein said line segments have one or two free ends which are not connected to other mask pattern elements; forming extended line segments by adding line extensions to said free ends of said line segments thereby forming a modified pattern, wherein each of said line extensions are equal to or greater than a first distance; forming a cutting pattern comprising rectangles enclosing each of said line extensions wherein one of the sides of said rectangles is coincident with the corresponding said free end of said line segment, said rectangle has a height equal to a second distance, and a width; forming a first mask having opaque regions corresponding to said extended line segments in said modified pattern; forming a second mask having transparent regions corresponding to said rectangles in said cutting pattern; exposing said layer of resist using a first exposure, said first mask, and said mask alignment and projection system; exposing said layer of resist using a second exposure, said second mask, and said mask alignment and projection system; and developing said layer of resist.