Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A method, comprising: exposing a layer of photoresist in accordance with a first writing pattern in a first area of said layer of photoresist; and  exposing said layer of photoresist in accordance with a second writing pattern in a second area of said layer of photoresist, said first and second areas overlapping one another in at least one region, wherein said first and second writing patterns are created by separating digital data corresponding to a desired pattern for a reticle into at least two separate groups of data, a first of said data groups being used to define said first writing pattern and a second of said data groups being used to define said second writing pattern. 2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing portions of the layer of photoresist. claim 1 3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing exposed portions of said layer of photoresist in said first and second areas. claim 1 4. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising performing an etching process to define a pattern in an opaque layer positioned under said layer of photoresist. claim 2 5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein said opaque layer is comprised of a metal or a metal alloy. claim 4 6. The method of  claim 4 , wherein said opaque layer is comprised of chromium. claim 4 7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said layer of photoresist is comprised of at least one of a positive photoresist material and a negative photoresist material. claim 1 8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising exposing said layer of photoresist in accordance with a third writing pattern in a third area of said layer of photoresist. claim 1 9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein said third area of said layer of photoresist overlaps at least one of said first and second areas in at least one area. claim 8 10. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising exposing a portion of a layer of photoresist formed above a process layer by directing radiant energy through said reticle. claim 4 11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said layer of photoresist is formed above an opaque layer of a reticle. claim 1 12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said layer of photoresist is formed above at least one of a semiconducting substrate and a process layer. claim 1 13. A method of forming a reticle, comprising: forming a layer of photoresist above an opaque layer;  exposing said layer of photoresist in accordance with a first writing pattern in a first area of said layer of photoresist; and  exposing said layer of photoresist in accordance with a second writing pattern in a second area of said layer of photoresist, said first and second areas overlapping one another in at least one region, wherein said first and second writing patterns are created by separating digital data corresponding to a desired pattern for said reticle into at least two separate groups of data, a first of said data groups being used to define said first writing pattern and a second of said data groups being used to define said second writing pattern. 14. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising removing portions of the layer of photoresist. claim 13 15. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising removing exposed portions of said layer of photoresist in said first and second areas. claim 13 16. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising performing an etching process to define a pattern in said opaque layer. claim 14 17. The method of  claim 13 , wherein said opaque layer is comprised of a metal or a metal alloy. claim 13 18. The method of  claim 13 , wherein said opaque layer is comprised of chromium. claim 13 19. The method of  claim 13 , wherein said layer of photoresist is comprised of at least one of a positive photoresist material and a negative photoresist material. claim 13 20. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising exposing said layer of photoresist in accordance with a third writing pattern in a third area of said layer of photoresist. claim 13 21. The method of  claim 20 , wherein said third area of said layer of photoresist overlaps at least one of said first and second areas in at least one area. claim 20 22. The method of  claim 16 , further comprising exposing a portion of a layer of photoresist formed above a process layer by directing radiant energy through said reticle. claim 16 23. A method of forming a reticle, comprising: forming a layer of photoresist above an opaque layer;  exposing said layer of photoresist in accordance with a first writing pattern in a first area of said layer of photoresist;  exposing said layer of photoresist in accordance with a second writing pattern in a second area of said layer of photoresist, said first and second areas of said layer of photoresist overlapping one another in at least one area, wherein said first and second writing Patterns are created by separating digital data corresponding to a desired pattern for said reticle into at least two separate groups of data, a first of said data groups being used to define said first writing pattern and a second of said data groups being used to define said second writing pattern; and  removing exposed portions of the layer of photoresist in said first and second areas. 24. The method of  claim 23 , further comprising performing an etching process to define a pattern in said opaque layer. claim 23 25. The method of  claim 23 , wherein said opaque layer is comprised of a metal or a metal alloy. claim 23 26. The method of  claim 23 , wherein said opaque layer is comprised of chromium. claim 23 27. The method of  claim 23 , wherein said layer of photoresist is comprised of a positive photoresist material. claim 23 28. The method of  claim 23 , further comprising exposing said layer of photoresist in accordance with a third writing pattern in a third area of said layer of photoresist. claim 23 29. The method of  claim 28 , wherein said third area of said layer of photoresist overlaps at least one of said first and second areas in at least one region. claim 28 30. The method of  claim 24 , further comprising exposing a portion of a layer of photoresist formed above a process layer by directing radiant energy through said reticle. claim 24 31. A method of forming a reticle, comprising: creating a collection of digital data corresponding to a desired pattern for said reticle; and  separating said collection of digital data into at least two separate groups of data, a first of said data groups being used to define a first writing pattern for said reticle, a second of said data groups being used to define a second writing pattern for said reticle, wherein said first and second writing patterns overlap one another in at least one region. 32. The method of  claim 31 , further comprising performing said first and second writing patterns on a layer of photoresist positioned above an opaque layer. claim 31 33. The method of  claim 32 , further comprising removing portions of the layer of photoresist. claim 32 34. The method of  claim 33 , further comprising performing an etching process to define a pattern in an opaque layer positioned under said layer of photoresist. claim 33 35. The method of  claim 34 , wherein said opaque layer is comprised of a metal or a metal alloy. claim 34 36. The method of  claim 34 , wherein said opaque layer is comprised of chromium. claim 34 37. The method of  claim 32 , wherein said layer of photoresist is comprised of at least one of a positive photoresist material and a negative photoresist material. claim 32 38. The method of  claim 31 , wherein said collection of digital data is separated into at least three separate groups of data, a third of said data groups being used to define a third writing pattern for said reticle, wherein said third reticle writing pattern overlaps at least one of said first and second writing patterns in at least one region. claim 31 39. The method of  claim 34 , further comprising exposing a portion of a layer of photoresist formed above a process layer by directing radiant energy through said reticle. claim 34 40. A method, comprising: providing a semiconducting substrate having a process layer formed thereabove and a first layer of photoresist formed above said process layer; and  exposing at least a portion of said first layer of photoresist by directing radiant energy through a reticle, said reticle being formed by:  exposing a second layer of photoresist formed above an opaque layer in accordance with a first writing pattern in a first area of said second layer of photoresist;  exposing said second layer of photoresist in accordance with a second writing pattern in a second area of said second layer of photoresist, said first and second areas of said second layer of photoresist overlapping one another in at least one region, wherein said first and second writing patterns are created by separating digital data corresponding to a desired pattern for said reticle into at least two separate groups of data, a first of said data groups being used to define said first writing pattern and a second of said data groups being used to define said second writing pattern; and  removing portions of the second layer of photoresist in said first and second areas; and  performing an etching process to define a pattern in said opaque layer. 41. The method of  claim 40 , wherein said opaque layer is comprised of a metal or a metal alloy. claim 40 42. The method of  claim 40 , wherein said opaque layer is comprised of chromium. claim 40 43. The method of  claim 40 , wherein said first layer of photoresist is comprised of a positive photoresist material. claim 40 44. The method of  claim 40 , wherein said second layer of photoresist is comprised of a positive photoresist material. claim 40 45. A method, comprising: forming a layer of photoresist above at least one of a semiconducting substrate and a process layer;  exposing said layer of photoresist in accordance with a first writing pattern in a first area of said layer of photoresist; and  exposing said layer of photoresist in accordance with a second writing pattern in a second area of said layer of photoresist, said first and second areas overlapping one another in at least one region, wherein said first and second writing patterns are created by separating digital data corresponding to a desired pattern for said layer of photoresist into at least two separate groups of data, a first of said data groups being used to define said first writing pattern and a second of said data groups being used to define said second writing pattern. 46. The method of  claim 45 , wherein said process layer is comprised of at least one of an insulating material, a layer of metal and a layer of polysilicon. claim 45 47. The method of  claim 45 , further comprising removing portions of the layer of photoresist. claim 45 48. The method of  claim 45 , further comprising removing exposed portions of said layer of photoresist in said first and second areas. claim 45 49. The method of  claim 46 , further comprising performing an etching process to define a pattern in at least one of said substrate and said process layer. claim 46 50. The method of  claim 45 , wherein said layer of photoresist is comprised of at least one of a positive photoresist material and a negative photoresist material. claim 45 51. The method of  claim 45 , further comprising exposing said layer of photoresist in accordance with a third writing pattern in a third area of said layer of photoresist. claim 45 52. The method of  claim 51 , wherein said third area of said layer of photoresist overlaps at least one of said first and second areas in at least one area. claim 51 53. A method, comprising: forming a layer of photoresist above at least one of a semiconducting substrate and a process layer;  exposing said layer of photoresist in accordance with a first writing pattern in a first area of said layer of photoresist;  exposing said layer of photoresist in accordance with a second writing pattern in a second area of said layer of photoresist, said first and second areas of said layer of photoresist overlapping one another in at least one area, wherein said first and second writing patterns are created by separating digital data corresponding to a desired pattern for said layer of photoresist into at least two separate groups of data, a first of said data groups being used to define said first writing pattern and a second of said data groups being used to define said second writing pattern; and  removing exposed portions of the layer of photoresist in said first and second areas. 54. The method of  claim 53 , further comprising performing an etching process to define a pattern in at least one of said substrate and said process layer. claim 53 55. The method of  claim 53 , wherein said process layer is comprised of at least one of an insulating material, a layer of metal and a layer of polysilicon. claim 53 56. The method of  claim 53 , wherein said layer of photoresist is comprised of a positive photoresist material. claim 53 57. The method of  claim 53 , further comprising exposing said layer of photoresist in accordance with a third writing pattern in a third area of said layer of photoresist. claim 53 58. The method of  claim 57 , wherein said third area of said layer of photoresist overlaps at least one of said first and second areas in at least one region. claim 57 59. A method, comprising: forming a layer of photoresist above at least one of a semiconducting substrate and a process layer;  creating a collection of digital data corresponding to a desired pattern for said layer of photoresist; and  separating said collection of digital data into at least two separate groups of data, a first of said data groups being used to define a first writing pattern for said layer of photoresist, a second of said data groups being used to define a second writing pattern for said layer of photoresist, wherein said first and second writing patterns overlap one another in at least one region. 60. The method of  claim 59 , further comprising performing said first and second writing patterns on at least one of said substrate and said process layer. claim 59 61. The method of  claim 60 , further comprising removing portions of the layer of photoresist. claim 60 62. The method of  claim 61 , further comprising performing an etching process to define a pattern in at least one of said substrate and said process layer. claim 61 63. The method of  claim 59 , wherein said process layer is comprised of at least one of an insulating material, a layer of metal and a layer of polysilicon. claim 59 64. The method of  claim 60 , wherein said layer of photoresist is comprised of at least one of a positive photoresist material and a negative photoresist material. claim 60 65. The method of  claim 59 , wherein said collection of digital data is separated into at least three separate groups of data, a third of said data groups being used to define a third writing pattern for said layer of photoresist, wherein said third reticle writing pattern overlaps at least one of said first and second writing patterns in at least one region. claim 59 66. An exposure system, comprising: an electron beam source; and  a controller that is adapted to direct electrons emitted by said electron beam source so as to:  expose a layer of photoresist in accordance with a first writing pattern in a first area of a layer of photoresist, and  expose said layer of photoresist in accordance with a second writing pattern in a second area of said layer of photoresist, said first and second areas of said layer of photoresist overlapping one another in at least one region, wherein said controller is adapted to perform said first and second writing patterns by processing separate groups of digital data corresponding to a desired pattern, a first of said data groups being used to define said first writing pattern and a second of said data groups being used to define said second writing pattern. 67. The system of  claim 66 , wherein said layer of photoresist is formed above at least one of a semiconducting substrate and a process layer. claim 66 68. The system of  claim 66 , wherein said layer of photoresist is formed above an opaque layer of a reticle. claim 66 69. The system of  claim 68 , wherein said opaque layer is comprised of a metal or a metal alloy. claim 68 70. The system of  claim 68 , wherein said opaque layer is comprised of chromium. claim 68 71. The system of  claim 66 , wherein said layer of photoresist is comprised of at least one of a positive photoresist material and a negative photoresist material. claim 66 72. The system of  claim 66 , wherein said controller is further adapted to expose said layer of photoresist in accordance with a third writing pattern in a third area of said layer of photoresist. claim 66 73. The system of  claim 72 , wherein said third area of said layer of photoresist overlaps at least one of said first and second areas in at least one region. claim 72 74. A reticle writing system, comprising: an electron beam source; and  a controller that is adapted to direct electrons emitted by said electron beam source so as to:  expose a layer of photoresist in accordance with a first writing pattern in a first area of a layer of photoresist formed above an opaque layer of a reticle, and  expose said layer of photoresist in accordance with a second writing pattern in a second area of said layer of photoresist, said first and second areas of said layer of photoresist overlapping one another in at least one region, wherein said controller is adapted to perform said first and second writing patterns by processing separate groups of digital data corresponding to a desired pattern for said reticle, a first of said data groups being used to define said first writing pattern and a second of said data groups being used to define said second writing pattern. 75. The system of  claim 74 , wherein said exposure of said layer of photoresist is performed at an energy level of approximately 50 keV. claim 74 76. The system of  claim 74 , wherein said opaque layer is comprised of a metal or a metal alloy. claim 74 77. The system of  claim 74 , wherein said opaque layer is comprised of chromium. claim 74 78. The system of  claim 74 , wherein said layer of photoresist is comprised of at least one of a positive photoresist material and a negative photoresist material. claim 74 79. The system of  claim 74 , wherein said controller is further adapted to expose said layer of photoresist in accordance with a third writing pattern in a third area of said layer of photoresist. claim 74 80. The system of  claim 79 , wherein said third area of said layer of photoresist overlaps at least one of said first and second areas in at least one region. claim 79 81. An exposure system, comprising: an electron beam source; and  a controller that is adapted to direct electrons emitted by said electron beam source so as to:  expose a layer of photoresist in accordance with a first writing pattern in a first area of a layer of photoresist formed above at least one of a semiconducting substrate and a process layer, and  expose said layer of photoresist in accordance with a second writing pattern in a second area of said layer of photoresist, said first and second areas of said layer of photoresist overlapping one another in at least one region, wherein said controller is adapted to perform said first and second writing patterns by processing separate groups of digital data corresponding to a desired pattern, a first of said data groups being used to define said first writing pattern and a second of said data groups being used to define said second writing pattern. 82. The system of  claim 81 , wherein said process layer is comprised of at least one of an insulating material, a layer of metal and a layer of polysilicon. claim 81 83. The system of  claim 81 , wherein said layer of photoresist is comprised of at least one of a positive photoresist material and a negative photoresist material. claim 81 84. The system of  claim 81 , wherein said controller is further adapted to expose said layer of photoresist in accordance with a third writing pattern in a third area of said layer of photoresist. claim 81 85. The system of  claim 84 , wherein said third area of said layer of photoresist overlaps at least one of said first and second areas in at least one region. claim 84 86. A wafer exposure system, comprising: a light source;  a stage for receiving a semiconducting substrate having a process layer formed there-above and a first layer of photoresist formed above said process layer;  a reticle, said reticle being formed by:  exposing a second layer of photoresist formed above an opaque layer in accordance with a first writing pattern in a first area of said second layer of photoresist, and  exposing said second layer of photoresist in accordance with a second writing pattern in a second area of said second layer of photoresist, said first and second areas of said second layer of photoresist overlapping one another in at least one region, wherein said first and second writing patterns are created by separating digital data corresponding to a desired pattern for said reticle into at least two separate groups of data, a first of said data groups being used to define said first writing pattern and a second of said data groups being used to define said second writing pattern; and  a controller adapted to expose at least a portion of said first layer of photoresist by directing light from said light source through said reticle. 87. The system of  claim 86 , wherein said opaque layer is comprised of a metal or a metal alloy. claim 86 88. The system of  claim 86 , wherein said opaque layer is comprised of chromium. claim 86 89. The system of  claim 86 , wherein said first layer of photoresist is comprised of a positive photoresist material. claim 86 90. The system of  claim 86 , wherein said second layer of photoresist is comprised of a positive photoresist material. claim 86