Patent ID: 9202710
Filing Date: 2015-12-01
Classification: G03F,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for fabricating a semiconductor device, the method comprising: depositing a material layer over a semiconductor substrate; depositing a mask material layer over the material layer; depositing a first photoresist layer over the mask material layer; forming a first pattern in the mask material layer using a first mask in a first exposure and patterning process to pattern the first photoresist layer and the mask material layer to form a plurality of first and second features in the mask material layer and to form at least one opening in the mask material layer extending between at least two first features, wherein the first features comprise patterns for the semiconductor device and the second features comprise printing assist features; depositing a second photoresist layer over the mask material layer after removing entirely the first photoresist layer; modifying the first pattern to form a second pattern in the mask material layer using a second mask in a second exposure and patterning process to pattern the second photoresist layer and the mask material layer to remove the second features from the first pattern of the mask material layer and to further define the opening from the first pattern of the mask material layer extending between the at least two first features so as to define at least one separating structure comprising a space between the at least two first features.