Patent ID: 9209079
Filing Date: 2015-12-08
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: providing a mask including a plurality of mask lines including at least a first mask line including at least one notch shape; fabricating a portion of a semiconductor circuit using the mask to form a plurality of conductive lines corresponding to the plurality of mask lines and including a first conductive line corresponding to the first mask line, the first conductive line including parallel edges extending in a lengthwise direction and having at least a first notch positioned at a first lengthwise location and a second notch positioned at a second lengthwise location that is different from the first lengthwise location on a first edge of said parallel edges, each of the first and second notches corresponding to a respective notch shape of the at least one notch shape, wherein the first conductive line is surrounded by an insulator material and interconnects at least two components of the semiconductor circuit and the fabricating results in formation of residual stresses within the plurality of conductive lines and the insulator material; and further fabricating further portions of the semiconductor circuit to produce the semiconductor circuit including to the first conductive line at the first lengthwise location between a first edge of the parallel edges and an innermost edge of the first notch and is aligned with the second notch in a widthwise direction, wherein the first and the second notch extend from the first edge of the first conductor line and a second parallel edge of said first conductor line is a substantially straight line that extends continuously between said first and second lengthwise locations, wherein each of the at least one first notch and the second notch generate extra stress components within the first conductive line compared to other conductive lines of the plurality of conductive lines and wherein the extra stress components substantially counteract the residual stresses.