Patent ID: 6787271
Filing Date: 2004-09-07
Classification: G03F

Abstract:
A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit having a layer of material, the layer described by a layout, wherein substantially all of the layer of material will be defined using phase shifting, the method comprising:identifying a plurality of features in the layout to be defined using phase shifting, each of the plurality of features comprised of a plurality of edges; placing a plurality of shifter shapes proximate to edges of the plurality of features, wherein the plurality of features includes a first feature having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge adjoining the second edge, and wherein the plurality of shifter shapes includes a first shifter shape placed on the first edge and a second shifter shape placed on the second edge, the first shifter shape and the second shifter shape separated by a minimum distance; assigning phase to the plurality of shifter shapes according to phase dependencies and costs to create a plurality of phase shifters; and refining the plurality of phase shifters.