Patent ID: 8709684
Filing Date: 2014-04-29
Classification: G03F,G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of routing, comprising: generating a routing grid for one or more multi patterning layers, comprising a first type and a second type of vertical grid lines extending along a first direction and a first type and a second type of horizontal grid lines extending along a second, orthogonal direction; routing shapes on the one or more multi patterning layers along a routing path having a stair-step pattern that alternates between the first or second type of vertical grid lines and the first or second type of horizontal grid lines; and assigning colors to the shapes in a manner that causes: the shapes routed on the first type of vertical grid lines and the shapes routed on the second type of vertical grid lines to be written to different photomasks; or the shapes routed on the first type of horizontal grid lines and shapes routed on the second type of horizontal grid lines to be written to different photomasks.