Patent ID: 9190261
Filing Date: 2015-11-17
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: forming a plurality of dummy lines and a plurality of spacer elements abutting the plurality of dummy lines according to a first pattern; removing portions of the plurality of spacer elements and a first dummy line of the plurality of dummy lines according to a second pattern implemented after the first pattern, wherein a second dummy line of the plurality of dummy lines remains unremoved; defining a reference area by trimming off end portions of the plurality of spacer elements while retaining central portions of the plurality of spacer elements according to a third pattern implemented after the second pattern; positioning a first front-end-of-line (FEOL) layer based upon a first predetermined distance in an X direction from a first edge of the reference area defined by the third pattern, the first edge of the reference area being defined by short sides of the spacer elements, the short sides of the spacer elements being parallel to a long edge of the first FEOL layer; and positioning the first FEOL layer based upon a second predetermined distance in a Y direction from a second edge of the reference area defined by the first pattern, the second edge of the reference area being defined by long sides of the spacer elements transverse to the short sides of the spacer elements, wherein a portion of the first FEOL layer extends beyond a border of the reference area.